Recipes and Remedies for UC/UP self-care

[ChildoftheMoon]

Please share your recipes and remedies (herbal, homeopathic, nutritional) that you use for self care during your pregnancy, labor, and babymoon time.
To make it easy to browse through, put the use or name in the title line. Thanks!!!

I will ask to make this a sticky

Brandi

[ChildoftheMoon]

pregnancy teas

my daily tea is a mixture of:
Red Raspberry leaf, nettles, dandylion, mint, and alfalfa.
When it is cold I steep it in boiled water, usually a long time to make an infusion.
In the summer I leave it out all day in the sun for suntea and drink it iced. Sometimes I add honey, but I prefer it unsweetened.

Here are two other teas that I have not tried, but sound yummy!

a.m. pregnancy tea
=======================

1 cup red raspberry leaf ("herb supreme" for pregnancy, uterine tonic, iron, calcium, potassium, b, c, + e)
1 cup china white spring blossom white tea (anti-oxidants + a wee bit of caffeine)
1 cup spearmint (digestive aid, aromatic, anxiety)
1 cup peppermint (digestive aid, aromatic, anxiety )
3/4 cup nettle (supports kidney function, prevents hemorrhoids, high in iron, potassium, vit k)
1/2 cup rosehips (diuretic, laxative, high in vitamin c)
1/2 cup dandelion (rich in sodium, vitamin a, b, + c, potassium , and calcium "blood purifier", diuretic, digestive aid)
1/2 cup lemongrass (calming, indigestion)
1/2 cup lemon balm (aka melissa, relaxant, antispasmodic, increases sweating, carminative, anti-viral, nerve tonic)
1/4 cup marsh mallow (soothing, anti-inflammatory, and laxative)
2 tbs licorice (sweetener, laxative)



p.m. pregnancy tea
=======================

2 cups chamomile (normalizes appetite, and eliminates insomnia. calms nerves, relieves headaches, soothes the digestive system and women's cramps)
1 cup red raspberry leaf ("herb supreme" for pregnancy, uterine tonic, iron, calcium, potassium, b, c, + e)
1 cup lemon balm (aka melissa, relaxant, antispasmodic, increases sweating, carminative, anti-viral, nerve tonic)
1 cup lemongrass (calming, indigestion))
3/4 cup nettle (supports kidney function, prevents hemorrhoids, high in iron, potassium, vit k)
1/2 cup spearmint (digestive aid, aromatic, anxiety )
1/4 cup marsh mallow (soothing, anti-inflammatory, and laxative)
1/2 cup rosehips (diuretic, laxative, high in vitamin c)
1/2 cup dandelion (rich in sodium, vitamin a, b, + c, potassium , and calcium "blood purifier", diuretic, digestive aid)
2 tbs licorice (sweetener, laxative)



will add to tea
=========
meadowsweet (aromatic, astringent, diuretic, and sub-tonic )
fresh ginger (stimulant, aids digestion, calms stomach)
I am sure those will make some tasty teas... but I really think simpler may be better. Like if one day your stomach feels illin', just use the mints. Another day your constipated, use the laxatives.

For one, the peppermint and spearmint should only be steeped for a couple of minutes to avoid bitterness, but the Red Rasp and nettle are more potent and valuable the longer you steep them. For good medicinal infusions of RRL and nettle, use a 1/2 oz of each and a quart of boiling water, steep at least 20 min, strain. Then take a 1/2 cup twice a day. I really reccommend this, especially if you are not planning on taking prenatals.

Also, I know you only use a tad, but licorice is contraindicated in pregnancy as it can facilitate high blood pressure. And I don't know meadowsweet, but have found that generally it is good to avoid astringent diuretics (this goes for mints and rosehip too) during pregnancy.
Oatstraw is also good for calcium.

[ChildoftheMoon]

Placenta recipes

Placenta smoothie (thank you AmyD )
*placenta
*bag of strawberries (organic )
*couple bananas
*OJ

Use about 1/3 of placenta, clean the membranes from it and cut it up
into little chunks. Add some OJ and some frozen srawberries----enough, and this is psychological, so that when it turned red it was obviously from the
strawberries & not the placenta. Add the bananas, more strawberries and more OJ. Tasted like a really strawberry-berry smoothie.

Put the rest in dixie cups & cover them in foil and freeze them. Defrost them on the counter and drink them over the next
couple of days.

This link has a lot of recipes, just scroll down. placenta recipes

[ChildoftheMoon]

pp toxemia drink

This would also be beneficial during pregnancy if you need an extra protien boost. I sometimes add brewer's or nutritional yeast (careful not to add too much unless you really like the flavor). Careful with the eggs too, raw eggs are fine, just know your sources. I have a friend who raises organic chickens so I know what the egg has been through, but I have also used organic from the store with no problems. Just make sure to wash the surface and check for cracks. If the inner lining is intact, you should have no worries.

POSTPARTUM TOXEMIA

Women may experience pp toxemia which can be alleviated within
30 minutes by taking 1 tsp of epsom salts in about 1 1/2 oz warm
water (enough to dissolve the salts) and immediately followed with an
egg nog or high protein drink.

It is not unusual for a primip (or a multip with an improper diet) to
experience this.

Protein Milkshake
1 quart whole milk, preferably raw
1/2 cup instant powdered milk
2 whole eggs, preferably fertile
1 tablespoon molasses or raw unheated honey
1 banana or 1 orange, or
1 cup of your favorite fruit
1 tsp. vanilla/almond extract
Mix in blender with several ice cubes.

[ChildoftheMoon]

homeopathic birth kit

HOMEOPATHIC BIRTH KIT
QUICK REFERENCE

SOME GENERAL NOTES:
1. Look at the whole picture (physical and emotional) and choose the ONE
best remedy that seems to fit the symptoms the most closely (not every
symptom listed needs to be present to choose the remedy). Ask questions if
necessary to ascertain symptoms that can't be observed
2. Give only ONE remedy at a time. Watch and see if any changes occur. If
none seem to occur after 15 minutes, try the next closest remedy.
3. Give one large pellet or 5-10 tiny pellets.

ACONITE:
· Distressed, anxious, fearful, restless
· Tossing in agony
· Skin red, hot dry
· may scream out
· have glassy, staring eyes, dilated pupils
· symptoms have sudden onset
· labor too quick
· pains extreme, violent, terrifying
· mother feels panicky, distressed, despairing
· mother's heartbeat rapid or uncomfortably strong
· newborns in shock, color normal but not crying/moving
· worse: at night (especially around midnight), touch, noise
· better: fresh air

ARNICA:
· #1 trauma remedy
· encourages healing, controls bleeding, reduces swelling & likelihood of
pus formation
· reduces exhaustion, gives a 2nd wind, particularly during long, slow,
painful labors where tiredness makes surges weak/ineffectual
· use for shock, when someone claims to be alright, but clearly isn't.
· reduces excessive bleeding where birth was traumatic/unusually long or
short
· worse: being touched or examined, any jarring movements, lying or sitting
on injured parts

CARBO VEGETABALIS:
· the "homeopathic corpse reviver," this remedy has saved many lives
· symptoms at their most extreme are complete state of collapse due to
oxygen starvation.
· Body cold, limp and pale, or blue
· Use in conjunction with other efforts to revive respiration. Hold one pill
inside the lower lip of patient (including newborns) until symptoms
alleviate.
· In fetal distress due to oxygen starvation, give to mother to reduce risk
of asphyxia to baby.
· Less severe cases: extreme sluggishness, little or no vitality, coldness
(even breath), intense air hunger (epseically cold)
· Face appears pinched, pale, sallow or blue
· Excellent remedy for trapped wind.
· Worse: exertion, heat, humidity, lying down, morning and evening
· Better: fanning, fresh air.

CAULOPHYLLUM:
· Usually used in 1st stage of labor to establish strong, productive surges.
DO NOT use routinely. If needed, surges will be centered in lower half of
uterus, while top feels flabby.
· Although sharp and painful, surges are short, ineffective, spasmodic and
unstable moving around the bladder, groin or thighs.
· Sometimes surges will slow or stop completely due to exhaustion.
· Cervix fails to dilate.
· Symptoms include chilliness, shivering, trembling and irritability. May be
thirsty during surges.
· If thirstless and Caulophyllum fails, try Gelsemium next.

CHAMOMILLA:
· Extreme over-sensitivity and violent bad temper
· May demand help one moment and reject it the next.
· Abusive and argumentative, especially with loved ones.
· Finds pains unbearable
· May scream frequently or say "I want to die."
· Feels and looks overheated.
· Better: being uncovered, stripping off clothes
· Worse: evening, fresh air, company, being spoken to or stared at.

CIMICIFUGA:
· Very similar to Caullophyllum: surges in lower half of uterus, painful,
sharp, spasmodic. Cervix remains rigidly closed/fails to dilate properly.
· The differences are:
o surges move from side to side or down into the hips and thighs
o gestures, speech and actions become horribly disjointed
o physical symptoms often alternate with intense mental/emotional symptoms.
· Full of dreadful fears/foreboding, perhaps because of a previous
experience of birth.
· Sense that "I can't carry on" is meant in the most profound sense.
· Chilly
· Worse: cold, damp
· Better: lying on left side

GELSEMIUM:
· Next best choice if Caullophyllum fails to produce good strong surges.
· Very useful if labor is slow and sluggish.
· Physical heaviness, even eye lids droop, producing a dazed, stupefied
appearance which belies the mental alertness that is there.
· Body paralyzed by exhaustion or "stage fright"
· Muscular weakness leads to trembling
· Chilly, possibly shivers up and down the spine
· Thirstless
· Worse: physical exertion, over excitement, receiving bad news (i.e. that
cervix has dilated less than expected)
· Better: sweating, urinating, being alone

IPECAC:
· labor pains or bright red hemorrhaging with constant violent nausea.
· Face is deathly blue with dark rings under eyes.
· Hot & cold sweats.
· Worse: at night; for food or sight/smell of it.

KALI CARB:
· Useful in backache labors, where nagging pain is felt in the back,
buttocks and thighs
· Mother is often extremely irritable, yet needs company
· Posterior presentations where labor gets stuck
· Backache greatly relieved by very firm pressure.
· Headaches during labor
· Chilliness after surges
· Worse: night and early morning hours, touch, noise
· Better: warmth

KALI PHOS:
· often recommended for exhaustion. Very helpful during labor if no other
strong symptoms.
· Best taken between surges.
· Can be used throughout labor whenever energy is low.
· USEFUL FOR ATTENDANTS, TOO.

PULSATILLA:
· Easy to spot when needed because of clear emotional symptoms: weepiness,
clinginess, pleading for help.
· Surges are short, weak or stop entirely.
· Pain may be felt in the back.
· Other physical symptoms: exhaustion, faintness, nausea, thirstlessness,
vomiting.
· Worse: stuffy room, twilight, getting cold or wet
· Better: fresh air, moving around, sympathy & company

SECALE:
· like Pulsatilla, intolerant of stuffy rooms, but emotionally more
stupefied in labor, with much longer surges. If these stop, trembling may
start.
· Can be used to encourage a retained placenta to be pushed out naturally,
if surges are too weak.

SEPIA:
· pains severe, dragging down, much relieved by exercise.
· Emotionally: irritable, or indifferent to loved ones, responds badly to
sympathy.
· Sluggish and weepy.
· Useful for treating uterine prolapse with strong bearing down sensation.
· Worse: fasting, touch, staying in same position.
· Better: after eating, moving around.
__________________

This is a great site: remedy finder

[Kundalini-Mama]

oh my gosh, my placenta smoothie recipe is already up there :LOL It says that I used 1/3 of my placenta--this is true, BUT in retrospect (and what I'll do next time) is triple the recipe and use the whole placenta

Oh, and wanted to add that if you are using homeopathy, you need to stay away from MINT. Drinking it, eating it, brushing your teeth w/it, using it in your lipbalm, mouthwash, etc, etc. Just a little FYI.

I'll post my pregnancy/TTC/Nursing tea when I'm not deliriously tired

Amy

Oooh, I also wanted to recommend Susun Weed's book "Wise Women Herbal for the Childbearing Year" (like $9--totally worth it) as well as Aviva Jill Romm's "Natural Pregnancy" (or something very close).

[ChildoftheMoon]

Amy-thank you for the recipe! I had it stored in my files, but had forgotten who I got it from. I credited you in my previous post now that I know! Did not mean to steal it.

Thanks for the mint tip!

I second Susun Weed's book. The best!
Here is her site: Susun Weed

Brandi

[Kundalini-Mama]

You are so funny Brandi!! I didn't need credit, I just thought it was amusing

Let's see, my pregnancy tea consisted of (and I didn't measure anything, just threw it in a mason jar):

*red rasp leaf
*nettles
*chamomille
*red clover
*oatstraw
*alfalfa
*burdock rt
*dandelion rt

I'd fill a quart mason jar about half full w/herbs, going heavy on the nettles and red rasp leaf. I'd steep forever (b/c I always forgot), strain, add honey or sugar and some soy/rice/oatmilk.

I tend towards anemia, and in order to prevent hemorrage and to insure that my baby had a good healthy iron store (as I don't start solids until they are close to a year)-- I wanted to make sure my iron was excellent. So I drank the above tea daily, but w/o alfalfa or dandelion root. I drank chlorophyll (made from alfalfa and w/o spearmint as I use homeopathy) in OJ once or twice a day w/iron tonic (see below). I also made some straight nettles tea and drank that too (in addition to the above tea--you can never have too many nettles ). Once I got to the end of the game I stopped the pregnancy tea and just made straight red rasp leaf tea and straight nettles tea and drank them freely. If your nettles are good, once you steep them the tea should be very dark, almost black w/a green color to it!

Iron tonic (again, w/o measurements)
*yellow dock rt
*dandelion rt

In a quart jar about 1/4 way full, steep for 8-12 hrs (or more if you forget ). Strain. In a saucepan, reduce liquid w/o boiling. (I needed a....what's the word....diffuser thing on the burner to acheive this). You want to reduce it to about a cup of liquid (from about 3c ). Once it is there (abouts) you want to add some blackstrap molasses (organic if possible) and mix well. Take off the heat and pour into a clean warm mason jar. Let cool to room temperature and then put in fridge. Keeps in the fridge for some time, 2-3m probably.

You want to make sure the mason jars are warm before you put boiling water in them, so they don't shatter or crack. I like to keep them on the stove near the tea kettle so they get gradually warmer while the water heats up

Hth
Amy

[Aurora]

I had a couple of skid marks after ds was born. I made an infusion of Comfrey and put it in a peri bottle. I squirted myself off after I used the bathroom for a couple of days. It felt soooooooooooooo soothing.

[laurata]

A note on the chloryphyll (sp?)

If you tend toward varicose veins, chlorophyll CAN cause them to become painfully symptomatic. In which case, a tincture of dandelion, nettles, yellowdock, etc, might be a better choice. Just an FYI.

[pamamidwife]

My favorite remedy for hemorrhage, besides placenta medicine, is cinnamon tincture.

Honey sticks are a great thing to have on hand - quick energy that digests well and doesn't come back up.

Motherwort tincture rocks for getting peace during prodromal, early labor, after cramping, and mothering in general.

[3for3hb]

A few drops (or more... I ended up using like 15-20) of tea tree oil in a peri bottle is also very cooling for skid marks that sting while urinating. It was the only way I could pee for the first week! And the antimicrobial properties are a cleansing plus.

[folkymom]

Afterpains?

Have any of you found a good remedy for afterpains? Mine were terrible after #2, and it's pretty much the only part of the whole experience I am worried about going through again. Any tips?
(I'm only at 15 weeks, so maybe there's even something I can do during pregnancy to help alleviate them?? Wishful thinking. . .)

[ChildoftheMoon]

Homeopathic arnica can help with afterpains.
More conventional--you can take tylenol and ibuprofen together.

edited to add:
motherwort herb
catnip leaves (tea or tincture)
ground ivy infusion

check out Susun Weed's book, for dosages on above, and in appendix 2, she has a recipe for an herbal after-pain brew.
(I did not feel right just copying it straight out of her book onto this thread)

[Kundalini-Mama]

I wanted to 2nd the motherwort for afterpains. I got a tincture of it for $10 at my co-op and whenever I started to feel a pain, I took some. I felt less pains after my 2nd birth, than after my 1st. I will definately use it again

[amyjeans]

hey there! totally dig this thread!
Don't want to hijack this thread, but were do you all get your herbs, etc? Local places, or perhaps online? Maybe we can list trustworthy locations with this thread?
That might be useful to cityfolk like me!

thanks!

[Kundalini-Mama]

My midwife has an herbal apothecary in VT. She has a website, but it is not open for taking orders yet, but on the website it says she will be soon.

Anywho, she is an herbalist by trade (well, as well as a midwife), and her herbs are organic and/or wild crafted. I can speak for her stuff, excellent quality, very reasonably priced (I would even say cheap), and she is supportive of UC.

So, I highly recommend her

http://www.thegoodherbvt.com/store.htm

Wanted to add, that she in incredibly knowledgeable and has helped me on numerous occasions w/various herbal questions. She is a great asset

[rainbowmoon]

Hemroid Wipes

Hemroid Wipes

2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon powdered comfrey root
2 tablespoons frsh aloe vera gel
Witch hazel

Thoroughly combine honey, comfrey, and aloe vera gel in a small mixing bowl to make the salve. Using cotton balls/pads apply witch hazel liberally to the affected area. Using fresh cotton balls/pads, cover the affected area with a thin layer of salve. Repeat as needed.

[Kundalini-Mama]

Raw honey or regular honey??

Originally Posted by rainbowmoon

Hemroid Wipes

2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon powdered comfrey root
2 tablespoons frsh aloe vera gel
Witch hazel

Thoroughly combine honey, comfrey, and aloe vera gel in a small mixing bowl to make the salve. Using cotton balls/pads apply witch hazel liberally to the affected area. Using fresh cotton balls/pads, cover the affected area with a thin layer of salve. Repeat as needed.

[rainbowmoon]

I am pretty sure regular (that's what I use) raw would likely work as well though