Pregnancy herbs can reduce pains that are associated with labor for the expected mothers

Pregnancy Herbs

It is very crucial to know the medicinal herbs that are safe to take during pregnancy if a woman decides to consume herbal products, to enhance and aid in her pregnancy. 

The period of pregnancy which begins with the fertilization of the ovum and ends with childbirth must be approached with great care in order to prevent a miscarriage. 

This prevention is also for other conditions associated with pregnancy which may be fatal. Therefore pregnancy herbs must be taken with due care.

Article extracted from Article Directory: Shepherd's purse and blue cohosh herbs for pregnancy

Pregnancy Tip: Herbs Commonly Used In Pregnancy, Labor And Postpartum

Shepherd's Purse

Shepherd's purse is an annual weed that grows to about 20 inches in height and is easily recognized by the heart-shaped pods that form near the top. It grows in sunny areas throughout the United States.

The entire plant is used medicinally mainly as an anti-hemorrhagic by coagulating the blood and constricting the veins.

Historically, the juice of the plant was put on a ball of cotton and used to plug the nose and stop a bad nosebleed.

It was also used to increase urine and menstrual flow and increase vitamin C in the diet.

For maternity use, it is most often used in a tincture from fresh plants which not only stops bleeding but also causes uterine contractions.

If an infusion is wanted, one need only steep the chopped plant material for about an hour as it gives up the medicinal properties readily in water.

USES

To provide calcium: eat the leaves.

To control bleeding following a miscarriage: give 10-20 drops of the tincture sublingually as needed.

To build up clotting factors in the body prenatally: give 15-20 drops once or twice a day.

To control bleeding after birth and delivery in the placenta: give 20-40 drops sublingually. It can work in five seconds or give a combination tincture.

Give 20 drops each of blue cohosh and shepherd's purse in tea. To aid in returning the uterus to pre-birth size if uterus is still large at 4-6 weeks postpartum.

Give Shepherd's Purse and blue cohosh tea along with recommendation for rest, lots of breastfeeding and better nutrition.

To provide prophylactic treatment of vitamin K to a newborn: give 3 drops of tincture or extract to the newborn by mouth.

CAUTIONS

If planning to make your own tincture, pick the plant immediately before tincturing as it loses its medicinal properties quickly once it dries.

Care should be taken if used for postpartum hemorrhage as Shepherd's Purse can cause large clots to form which can prevent the uterus from clamping down and contracting leading to continued bleeding.

By: Yvonne Lapp Cryns - http://www.articledashboard.com

Yvonne Lapp Cryns is the owner of Midwives.net - www.midwives.net Yvonne is the co-founder of Nursing Programs Online at www.nursingprogramsonline.com and a contributor to The Compleat Mother Magazine at www.compleatmother.com Yvonne is also a law school graduate, a registered nurse and a Certified Professional Midwife.

Herbs to use after birth

Although I am dealing with pregnancy herbs, there are medicinal herbs for the afterbirth as well. Now for the afterbirth conditions and cleansing, cerasee and Saint Johnswort may be used.

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