Childbearing Year

Herbs to avoid when conceiving

I have a question about a couple herbs.  I took milk thistle to clean my liver for two months. and then started taking dandelion root.  after taking the dandelion root for 2 weeks I became pregnant.  I have had two successful pregnancies without the use of herbs.  my question is it safe to take these right before or during pregnancy?  I stopped taking the dandelion root at about 4 weeks pregnant.  I found out I was going to miscarry early.  could it have been from the milk thistle detox or the dandelion root.  I need to know, as we are wanting to get pregnant again.. thank you so much for your time.

 
 

 
 
Both herbs are known to support and nourish the liver and body, there is no reason to believe the miscarriage was directly related to the milk thistle or dandelion.
 
Here is an article on ways to nourish your body during pregnancy, which includes tonics to nourish and those to use with caution
http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm
 
Here is an article on herbal birth control methods, which includes a list of foods/herbs to avoid when trying to conceive or in early conception
 
http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Herbal_Birth_Control.htm
 
The best thing you can do if you want to carry life is to focus on nourishment of your body, and understand the body is not in need to detox. Support your organs and they will do the cleaning as they are designed to do…
 
Sending love,
 
Justine
 
 

Red Raspberry leaf infusion to strengthen uterus

Hi -

 

I have some heavy thoughts on my mind.  Last menstrual was Oct 6 and conception sometime around Oct 12.  This is my fifth pregnancy (no births) and I really didn't feel pregnant so I wanted to "help" my cycle start.  I was due Saturday (Nov 3).  I started ginger root tea Monday, black cohosh tincture (30 drops/4hours) Wednesday night and dong quai tincture (10 drops/4 hours) Thursday night.  Today I finally took a pregnancy test that showed positive.

 

I'm considering keeping the baby.  However, I honestly don't feel like I'll carry to term b/c of my previous pregnancies.  Has that much harm been done herbally in a day and a half...I'm probably 4 weeks pregnant.

 

Pls advise.

 
  

Hello, it is hard to know how much, if any, harm was done.  How do you feel?  Do you feel your pregnancy is strong?  Any cramping?  If you really want this pregnancy, you can start drinking - if you are not already - Red Raspberry leaf infusions and Nettle leaf infusions.  Moreso the former this early on in the pregnancy.  This can help strengthen your uterus, though I do not know what the reason was for not carrying to term earlier.  I do believe how we feel about our pregnancy has the possibility to affect it, not in a vacuum though.  How do you feel today?

I would also love to invite you to our Wise Woman Forum (http://www.herbshealing.com/wisewomanforum.htm) and Email Discussion Group (http://groups.google.com/group/Herbal-Healing) for more ideas and support.

We welcome you to join our Weed Wanderings ezine mailing list at http://www.herbshealing.com/WeedWanderings.htm !

Blessings,

Karen Joy

http://www.wisewomanweb.com

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Increasing and maintaining milk flow

I am nursing my 9 weeks old. I have always had struggle keeping him
happy with just breast milk and unfortunately I had to start him on
formula as well. I would like to give him more of breast milk and am
taking fenugreek everyday. I now intend to take a tea which has fennel
seed, anise seed, chamomile, lavender, fenugreek and nettle leaf. I was
wondering if there is any evidence that any of these could be harmful
to the nursing baby. Could you please advise. I am a bit confused
reading the cautions on these products and my doctor is not
knowledgeable in alternate medicines. Thanks, z.





If you are taking a simple tea it should be just fine.  Consider taking
an Infusion of nettles leaf alone, this is the best herb in the mix you
are taking. You would buy a pound of it, and to make an infusion,
you
would put one ounce of herb in a canning jar and pour boiling water
into the jar, let it sit for four hours and then drink. What you do not
drink, should be refrigerated. Sending love, Justine