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:
http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm
to properly benefit from infusions, buy your herb in bulk, at local store or online.
Sending you love and blessings,
Justine
Here's what Susun says about essential oils:
"I make and use many infused herbal oils. I use little or no essential oils. Why?
Infused herbal oils use a small amount of plant material; essential oils require tons of plant material. Infused herbal oils are safe to use internally or externally; essential oils are poisonous internally and problematic externally. Infused herbal oils are good for the skin; essential oils can cause rashes, burns, and other skin reactions. .."
Read more here:
http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/February05/healingwise.htm
Posted by: Allie - Wise Woman Team | March 24, 2014 at 12:17 PM
Curious as to why avoid essential oils? What about pure essential oils like lavender, Eucalyptus and peppermint in a diffuser or in a carrier oil as an alternative to perfumes?
Posted by: Citrium | March 17, 2014 at 03:16 AM