Herbal teas

[CarolynnMarilynn]

I have been craving herbal teas (not the supermarket kind) and it is a bit early for straight red raspberry tea, so I went to a herbalist and got these two teas (I checked them out with my naturopath):

Tea #1
Fennel seeds
Rosehips
Hibiscus flowers
Red raspberry leaves
Spearmint Leaves
Chamomile flowers

Tea #2
Lemon verbena
Alfalfa
Nettle
Rosehips
Red Raspberry
Spearmint
Lemongrass

I'll let you know if they are tasty. I like making blends. I have another blend that I really like, but reserve it for 2nd trimester onwards. My kids really like it as both a warm tea and an iced tea:

Red raspberry
Red clover
Spearmint
Peppermint
Dandelion root
Alfalfa
Nettles
Oatstraw
Lemonblam

Many of the ingredients have awesome nutrient value, and trace minerals and vitamins.

[crunchymomof2]

That sounds like it would be really nutritious. When I was pregnant the second time. FIrst homebirth my midwife gave me a Whole body pregnancy infusion recipe. Her midwife gave it to her for her first homebirth.

6 parts rrl
6 parts squaw vine
4 parts nettles
3 parts violet leaves
2 parts wood betony
2 parts dandelion root
2 parts gravel root
1 part slippery elm bark

Let a handful of herb steep in a quart jar of hot water for 4-8 hours. Drink 1/2 cup 3 times a day.

It says "This formula is an excellent nutritive and building food for a healthy pregnancy. It strengthens and tonifies the reproductive organs, kidneys, liver and nerves, the body systems which are most stressed during pregnancy."

I have never made it though.

Michele

[CarolynnMarilynn]

That sounds interesting I'm not familiar with some of those herbs. I will ask my naturopath about it. SOme of the herbs sound like they go beyond "food" herbs into medicinal, but I am not certain.

Carolynn

[crunchymomof2]

Yes I think some of them do. I havent researched all of them. I would encourage checking into it before you made it as for most herbal concoctions.

[juliaaaah]

carolyn, what do you mean about it being too early for straight RRL tea?

[lapetitemaman]

carolyn, what do you mean about it being too early for straight RRL tea?

:notes:

I thought RRL tea was great for the uterus, so I've been drinking a cup a day now during my first trimester....should I stop?

[Bella Babe]

Straight RRl is incredible for basically anyone, at any time. It is not only safe during tri 1 but nourishing as well. And pretty darn good tonic against morning sickness, too!

Rosemary Gladstar has a lovely woman's herbal book that has a simple little section on the medicinal herbs great for pregnancy, and when the are applicable. I am sure there are others, but RG has always been on my shelf.

[jecaly]

during my last pregnancy, though, my midwife had me ease off on the rrl when i was still complaining of crampiness at week 8 or 12 or something. it can exacerbate that a little, but that's really just a comfort thing; it's not dangerous in any way.

[CarolynnMarilynn]

It depends on how much you are drinking. When it crosses over into medicinal doses my naturopath thinks it is too much. One cup a day sounds more nutritional. I did a lit search and found different opinions. Seeing as there wasn't a straight answer, I figured that I just wouldn't drink it a whole lot myself (as I am worried about crampiness) until the 2nd trimester. I think any one would have to decide for themselves.

[mother_sunshine]

I've been afraid to drink my RRL tea because I m/c last time shortly after I started drinking it so it's a "what if" in my mind that I don't want to deal with. My m/w said it was safe although I should listen to my gut first and foremost. So my gut says to wait until after week 12.

I've been drinking a lot of diluted green tea with lemongrass (iced). I have a couple of great blends for women (too tired to list ingredients right now).

[rstump]

My midwife makes a great pregnancy tea. I drink a quart a day...that is equal to one prenatal. It is great hot or iced. It make a great suntea too.


Here is that recipe....
2 oz raspberry leaf, 1/2 oz skull cap, 1 oz Nettles Leaf, 1/2 oz Lemon Balm, 1 oz Oatstraw, 1/4 oz peppermint.

Mix all together and pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of herbs for 1 cup of tea. Steep 10 min, strain and enjoy. 8 tablespoons per 1/2 gallon.

You can add honey, lemon or stevia. 1 qt daily = 1 prenatal daily.

[annettemarie]

I'm too lazy to make my own tea right now, but have been drinking Earth Mama Angel Baby's Morning Wellness Tea (http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/morning_wellness_tea.html) like crazy. Some of these other blends sound yummy, too!

[CarolynnMarilynn]

rstump: That sounds like a great recipe. The skullcap is very relaxing.

[MonTana Mama]

Is rooibos safe??

[CarolynnMarilynn]

I googled it and everything out there said it was, but you should do your own research or ask your care provider.

[MonTana Mama]

Does this tea help MS for you? I feel too lazy to get all the herbs to make my own teas, right now. Any other suggestions for yummy premade teas?

I'm too lazy to make my own tea right now, but have been drinking Earth Mama Angel Baby's Morning Wellness Tea (http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/morning_wellness_tea.html) like crazy. Some of these other blends sound yummy, too!

[annettemarie]

Does this tea help MS for you? I feel too lazy to get all the herbs to make my own teas, right now. Any other suggestions for yummy premade teas?

It really does, if I drink it pretty much constantly. It's good iced or hot. I've also made ice cubes to suck on.

[MonTana Mama]

http://www.snowboardmommy.com/content/pregnancy/pregnancy-tea-infusion.php

A great resource for making your own. Maybe I will try after all.