7 TIPS FOR CHOOSING SAFE HERBS FOR PREGNANCY
Jun 06, 2019
During pregnancy, you have to learn so many new things, and you experience many physical and emotional changes. One concern is always the baby's well being during these changes. Many women turn to natural remedies and herbs in pregnancy during times of illness or stress hoping to be gentle on the baby and their body.
Today I'm covering a few basics rules for how to use and choose your herbs in pregnancy to reduce stress and misunderstanding.
1 // ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL
Not everyone needs the same herbs and not every herb works for every person. The idea here is, just because you read that Echinacea is good for colds does not mean that it's going to help with every cold. Each herb has a profile that it works best for. For example, Echinacea actually works on stimulating the immune system to work better in its most basic functions. It works best for someone with chronic colds, and it’s important to note that certain types of illness respond to better to the subtleties of certain herbs.
2 // NOT ALL PREPARATIONS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Another important factor in choosing what herb to take is how it’s prepared. Common forms are capsules, tinctures and teas. It often takes more doses of a tea or capsule to produce the desired effect, especially in acute situations like a urinary tract infections or sinus infections. Teas can be really effective for digestion or when taken regularly as a preventative. Some preparations can be adulterated with other herbs if not made by a reputable company.
To ensure potency and safety, please get your herb preparations from companies that have been preparing herbs for years and aren't just in it to cash in on the recent trend toward natural remedies. Widely trusted brands include Wish Garden, Gaia Herbs, and Herb Pharm. These can generally be found in most areas in major retailers.
3 // HERBS ARE NOT PHARMACEUTICALS
Herbs do not act on our bodies like drugs do. Drugs mediate certain chemicals in the body or block specific receptors. They act on one substance in the body and one alone. Herbs, on the other hand, are a combination of vitamins, nutrients and chemicals that support the normal functioning of some body system. Each herb has an affinity to a certain system.
4 // HERBS CAN AFFECT BABY
Just because they are natural doesn’t mean they don’t have noticeable effects. Also, the great thing about the effects are that they don't usually have extreme negative impacts, because they are a combination of food-like substances. When they reach the baby they are in micro-doses. Generally a good rule is to take only what you need and then stop. Always consult a trained herbalist when decided to take an herbal remedy in pregnancy.
5 // CHOOSE EXPERT ADVICE
For situations that are acute and self limiting you can likely get away with the basic recommendations from the internet or a friend. If you are dealing with a health concern that’s pre-existing pregnancy or that you doctor doesn’t have an answer (I mean drug) for, please consult an herbalist, midwife or practitioner that has specific knowledge of pregnancy and herb use.
6 // DOSE MATTERS
Like any substance, the more you take the stronger the effects. Pregnant women are in a heightened state of sensitivity, and generally need smaller doses for a shorter duration.It is always recommended that you consult your midwife or herbalist when decided on amounts to use and for how long.
7 // WHEN IN DOUBT, DO LESS, EAT BETTER.
Yep. That says it all. But really if you have a minor illness or self-resolving condition, it’s best to just clean up your diet and rest. Eat more greens and less refined, processed foods for a week. Get to bed an hour early (even if you are already going to sleep at 9 p.m. like many pregnant ladies). Take time to let your body do its own healing.
If you have certain complaints, such as, a urinary tract infection or chronic respiratory stress, you can combine these habits with herbs to speed healing. Consult with your health care provider to find the best combination for your situation.
I’m always sharing my favorite herbs for pregnancy here and on my social pages. If you’ve got a cold or flu, here’s a few things to do right away.
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