Childbearing Year

October 16, 2011 in birth control, herbal safety | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 10, 2011

Increasing Iron Levels

Hi Susun,

I am writing in hope that you can give me some advice?

I am 30 weeks pregnant with babe no 6, and I am low in iron, I have begun drinking organic nettle tea, and was wondering how much I should drink per day?

Also I have just discovered I am lacking in vitamin b12, (something I believe I have been suffering for a while now) I have read that dandelion has high levels of b12? I really don't want to go for nasty shots at the dr! and the sublingual vitamin b12 I have looked at has a whole load of nasties such as sorbitol etc it it! I am wondering if dandelion is what I need and how much?

One other thing I am rhesus negative and have given into the anti-d shot after each babe so far :-( the only intervention I have allowed) I was wondering if this time there may be a herbal answer to this?

I would really appreciate any advice you may be able to offer, I have just ordered your books and am looking forward to them arriving :-)

Thanking you...

Hi,

You should be able to drink from a cup up to a quart of nettle infusions daily if you wish. Also perhaps yellow dock syrup which is so good for helping with iron issues. Cooked dandelion greens are great for iron as well.

There are studies showing dandelions do contain b12 as well as sea vegetables and mushrooms but it is debated as to whether it is a form we can assimilate. Only truly reliable source seems to be from animal product. Susun recommends using some animal protein, nourishing bone broths, organic eggs and dairy to round out a mostly vegetarian, wild-foods diet.

I have not heard of anything specific in regards to herbs for rhesus negative. You may wish to call Susun during her free health hotline. She is running in on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm - 9:30pm EST at 845-246-8081. With different time zones, I don't know if that is an option for you or not. I would also ask at our health forum: www.healingwiseforum.com. Perhaps someone there may have some further suggestions for you. Best wishes to you!

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.susunweed.com/page1001.html#1

October 10, 2011 in Food and Drink, nourishing herbal infusions | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 28, 2011

Red Clover for Fertility After 40

Greetings,

...I just turned 43 and am having a very difficult time conceiving since I had my tubes reversed in February 2009.

I plan on starting herbal infusion to start off and get off all these other herbs, chinese herbs. If there is anything you can do for me, please let me know. I also just purchased your book Wise Women Herbal for the Childbearing Year.

Bright blessings...

Hello,

Susun's main herb for fertility is red clover. Drink lots of red clover infusions - not pills or tincture, just infusions. You can read a bit more about them here: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/RedClover.html

Certainly pregnancy is quite possible for you and I would start with the red clover right away. You should also read these articles of Susun's for additional ideas:

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/Weed%20newsletter_september%2001.htm#article

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Fertility_Herbs.htm

It can take some time, a year or more perhaps, so be as patient with your body and yourself as you can, drink the infusions, perhaps incorporate some of Susun's other ideas... You may also wish to check out our forum: www.healingwiseforum.com. We have rooms dedicated to pregnancy, healing, etc. and it is a great place not only for learning what has worked for other women but also for support.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

September 28, 2011 in fertility | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 20, 2011

Healing the Uterus After A Biopsy

Hello! I was wondering if you could give some advice on how to heal from an endometrial biopsy. I am still in a lot of pain over 24 hours after the procedure. Is there anything I can do to nourish my uterus, so it can heal. I take chaste tree, but I am not sure that is enough.

Hello,

I would continue with the chasteberry. Red raspberry leaf infusions are the first thing that I think of when it comes to nourishing and toning the uterus. It can also help counter any inflammation. Perhaps homeopathic arnica and comfrey leaf infusions to help with internal healing. I would also do castor oil packs. These are made by soaking a piece of flannel in castor oil and placing it on the skin. The flannel is covered with a sheet of plastic, and then a hot water bottle is placed over the plastic to heat the pack.

Scullcap tincture, A dropperful of the tincture every 4 hour, to help with the pain. You will want to keep an eye out for infection - not something that usually happens with this procedure, but always a possibility. You can take 30-60 drops of echinacea tincture several times a day to head off any infection and keep your immune system strong.

Also, so often when we are dealing with situations like this, our emotions can become very tied up into everything as well. Rest, put on a castor oil pack and use the time to send positive affirmations and lots of loving thoughts to your uterus.

You may want to call Susun during her free health hotline. These will begin again on Sept 13th from 7:30-9:30pm EST at 845-246-8081, or post at our forum: www.healingwiseforum.com in case someone there has further advice as well.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kINxqaNW4HY

September 20, 2011 in Uterine Health, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 14, 2011

Red Clover - Supportive Ally in Pregnancy

...I have all Susun's books and since I have tried for a long time to get pregnant, I bought LOTS of red clover.

I am now pregnant and I am wondering if I can still drink red clover infusions during pregnancy??

I don´t really find anything about this in Susun's books...

Thank you in advance.

Hello,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Red clover is not on Susun's list of herbs to avoid.

From Susun: "Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

As a keeper of dairy animals, I was introduced to this herb as an ally to keep my goats' fertility high and their milk production generous. It took only a little imagination for me to begin to use it for women, too. Red clover blossoms are best taken as a strong infusion (one ounce of dried blossoms brewed overnight in a quart of boiling water). The tincture is a sedative; pills and capsules have very little effect.

To date, I know of dozens of women who, unable to conceive, have found success after drinking up to a quart of red clover infusion every day for at least six weeks. The generous amounts of minerals, proteins, antioxidants, and phytoestrogens in red clover restore health to the entire reproductive system. It's great for men, too. Most notable are the amounts of vitamin E and the presence of selenium and zinc. Red clover has ten times more plant hormones than soy.

Don't stop drinking red clover infusion once you get pregnant though. The infusion prevents and eases the constipation so common during pregnancy. It also strengthens the liver and improves appetite, especially when morning sickness is a problem. And it relieves anxiety.

And keep on drinking red clover once your child is born. There is no more valuable herb to keep breast milk rich and the breasts healthy then red clover. In fact, it is the world's most respected anti-cancer herb, acting not only to eliminate cancer but to stop its occurrence as well."

As with anything, always listen to your body, especially since sometimes our reactions can change during pregnancy. Try a little, see how you feel. I drank red clover throughout pregnancy without problems.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm

September 14, 2011 in herbal safety, nourishing herbal infusions, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 27, 2011

Avoiding Cleanses While Breastfeeding

Susun,

I've been interested in doing a cleanse by Dr. Clarke (parasite cleanse) with Black Walnut Hull, Wormwood and clove. According to Dr. Clark, you can give this remedy to a child at six months. But, online there are repeted warnings about using these herbs while breast feeding.

My Naturpathic doctor said that doing a cleanse would release lots of toxins in the body that may go to the blooodstream and then to the baby. But, my midwife says that this cleanse is safe and even good to do while nursing.

What are your thoughts?

Hello,

We strongly advocate agains cleansing, at any time, and especially when pregnant, nursing, or when ill. Cleansing is extremely hard on the body, especially on the organs that naturally keep your body healthy and clean, such as your liver and kidneys.

Instead, we advocate for nourishing your body, so the body can do its work in a supporting environment. Our bodies are not places of filth, they are naturally clean, and the body is naturally designed to keep itself in optimal health, if supported with nourishment and love.

The best and easiest way to nourish your body is to eat a whole foods diet, exercise a different way each day, get plenty of rest, clean water for bathing and drinking, avoiding toxins (such as essential oils in body products, toxic home “cleaning” products, fabric softeners, and highly processed foods). The most nourishing herbs we can use to support our body is in the form of nourishing herbal infusions, safe enough to be considered food, and to be taken daily, at least two cups per day and even up to eight cups per day.

Personally, I have been drinking upwards of six cups of nourishing infusion for decades, through pregnancy and lactation, and my daughter started drinking infusions at four months as soon as she showed interest in mealtime at the table. Now, two and a half, she is a strong advocate for infusions like her mother and grandmother.

Learn more about nourishing herbal infusions at these links below:

to properly benefit from infusions, buy your herb in bulk, at local store or online.

Sending you love and blessings,

Justine

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Call our free herbal/health hot line (845-246-8081) Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:30 pm EST, dates are April through October. Or you may register for a private telephone consultation. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.

August 27, 2011 in Nursing/Breastfeeding, Pregnancy, Diet and Nourishment, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 18, 2011

Featured Website ~ The Green Parent

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August 18, 2011 in Web/Tech, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 12, 2011

Review of The Childbearing Year

The Childbearing Year

review by Maria - Blogger at Life, Loss and Other Things Worth Mentioning

www.lifelossandotherthings.com

According to The Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, Red Clover is the "single most useful herb for establishing fertility." That is not only good to know, it is great news because of all of the greenery surrounding my house, red clover is one of them. It is everywhere! Actually we have planted some as is is a great pasture legume for our cows. Who knew it would be a great herb for women too!

Before I go on, I want to say a few words about The Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing year. This is the book (e-book) that I was so thrilled to get to read and review. I am so excited about all of the information that is packed into this 192 page book! In this book there is all that you would need to know about herbs that promote fertility, are beneficial for pregnancy, and even herbs that are known to help with your newborn, breastfeeding, and postpartum concerns including depression. There are instructions on making tinctures, infusions, and salves. There is also information on herbs that help prevent pregnancy. I really can't even put into words how much I am going to be using this book in the coming weeks and hopefully years....

Read the rest of the review at Maria's Weblog: www.lifelossandotherthings.com

The Childbearing Year
by Susun Weed
Foreword by Jeanine Parvati Baker.
Paperback - 192 pages (1986)
Available at www.wisewomanbookshop.com

Now in its 24th printing. A confirmed favorite with pregnant women, midwives, childbirth educators, and new parents. Packed with clear, comforting, and superbly helpful information.

August 12, 2011 in Books, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 11, 2011

Healing Ruptured Membranes

Dear Susun,

I am a huge fan of yours. I am an aspireing herbalist/healer myself.

I am 29 weeks pregnant and my waters broke on thursday. I am on strict bedrest in the hospital currently. I have not had any contractions or infection so far. This was so unexpected, far from anything I was anticipateing. Can you recommend anything to help heal the membrane? I have leaked very little fluid since the rupture...I am visualizing them resealing themselves. Baby is Not ready to come out.

(with this pregnancy I have been drinking yellow dock, which helped me immensely with iron/energy. But now we are hours away from home in a high tech hospital so anything I take has to be on the downlow. I hope to be out of here in a couple weeks and continue bedrest at home!!!?

Thanks...

Hello,

Some things that are recommended to help heal the membranes would be nettle, comfrey leaf and violet leaf infusions. You are absolutely on the right track with visualizations as truly the power of our thoughts can make a huge difference in our healing. Susun recommends that you focus on the sensation of the membranes, visualize the torn edges merged together, your amniotic fluid and baby safely contained.

Take 5-10 drops of echinacea tincture 2-3 times daily to help against any infection. Be extremely vigilant about hygiene. No intercourse, nothing put inside vagina, no baths, after toilet use, rinse off with squirts of water. Vitamin C and E are helpful in regards to preventing infection and bleeding. Right now, know you are where you need to be, get plenty of rest, do your visualizations...

Susun doesn't do email but she does offer a free health hotline via phone on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm-9:30pm EST at 845-246-8081 and you may wish to also post at our forum, in case any of the wise women there have further advice: www.healingwiseforum.com

Best wishes and healing to you.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

August 11, 2011 in Childbirth, Miscarriage, Pregnancy - General, Uterine Health, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 10, 2011

Ginger Use in Pregnancy

I'm 39, had a miscarriage last year, pregnant again with low progesterone levels.. Is it safe to eat Ginger candies 2 times a day for morning sickness??

Thank you..

Hello,

Like most herbs, there are different opinions in regards to using ginger. Susun does use it for morning sickness but if you have a history of miscarriage, you may wish to avoid it during the first trimester. I would say that it is used sparingly most often and a couple of candies a day would seem quite low dosage. Susun suggests drinking ginger root tea by tablespoon dosages - so it is not something that you would want to drink a lot of. If you feel worried, you could try red raspberry leaf infusions. Not only does Susun use them for helping with morning sickness but as an ally in preventing miscarriage as it helps tone the uterus.

Here is an article of Susun's that you may find useful: http://childbearing-year.com/articles-Herbal_Allies_for_Pregnancy_Problems.php. There is also a number of articles and excerpts from Susun's book, The Childbearing Year. Would definitely be worth your time to peruse some of what is offered there as well. Just let us know if you need any further assistance.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team