Childbearing Year

Herbal Safety while Breastfeeding

Hello Susan,

I'm in need of herbal guidance. I purchased a variety of products from a local store that caries herbal products made by local herbalists. The store does not have an in-house herbalist to talk to so my questions were left unanswered, thus leaving me feeling frustrated and upset.

I'm currently breastfeeding my one year old daughter and trying for another baby. I purchased a women's blend tea that has nettle, red raspberry leaf, red clover, oatstraw, and spearmint. I was slightly concerned about red clover after reading that an isolated isoflavone in red clover has phytoestrogen properties to it. I've also read such good and positive things about red clover that I'm not sure what to believe.

I also purchased a bunch of salves that have ingredients that I'm also concerned about. In a calming salve, it has mugwort in olive oil listed in the ingredients. I worry about this because I read that it can cause uterine contractions and should be avoided during pregnancy. Without knowing this, I applied a little on my skin and now I'm scared.

I purchased a breast balm that has calendula, red clover, dandelion and blue violet. I read online that calendula is not safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Would massaging this on my breasts be unsafe?

I also purchased diaper rash salve that has comfrey and calendula infusions in olive oil. I know comfrey and calendula are wonderful for diaper rash, but I've read mixed contraindications that comfrey is toxic when consumed and applied on open sores. The article I read this from also said that comfrey is therefore best avoided by children and women who are pregnant/nursing. Can you please advise?

Needless to say, my head is spinning and I'm feeling very upset and disappointed. I love herbs and want to trust in their magic, while also making sure what I take for myself and my family is safe.

I hope to hear back from you..
Thank you,
Katherine

 

Hello Katherine,

I know it is hard to make sense of everything out there and sadly there is a lot of misinformation online; it really can be overwhelming. I can say that Susun certainly has no problem with the use of red clover – this is in the form of infusions. If you are unfamiliar with them, it is a bit like a tea but with a greater concentration of plant and a long steeping time. You can read more about them and red clover here: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/RedClover.html

In regards to the tea, you are not talking about much herb at all. If prepackaged into teabags, there is little actual herb, often old and so cut down as to be almost dust. If you are looking for something that maybe has a nice taste and relaxes you, the tea is probably nice. If you are looking at this as an ally in nourishing your body and helping with fertility, it would be pretty much useless. Susun has seen the infusions work – they are strong and yet gentle, powerful but nourishing…. The other problem with the tea is the use of so many herbs blended together – for one, again this reduces the amount of each herb in a cup of tea to be miniscule … the other problem is if you do have a reaction, how do you tell what is causing it? Susun believes in using simplers – one herb at a time is almost always enough and you can truly listen to your body without interference …. http://www.herbshealing.com/herbal_ezine/September04/healingwise.htm

As to the salve, I am a bit confused… it doesn’t sound like you are currently pregnant…? If not, why are you scared? If you are not pregnant, I would not worry about it… Susun does have mugwort listed as an emmenagogue so I would probably stop using it, but if I were you, I wouldn’t be concerned about the one use… put the salve aside and find something else to use to help with calm… perhaps start including oatstraw infusions… http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/Oatstraw.html  

Calendula is not on Susun’s list of herbs to avoid during pregnancy. I wouldn’t have a problem using it… Pretty much any herb will say to avoid during pregnancy … little research is done on most of them and often times it depends on what form it is in, how you use it… if you are uncomfortable using it, then I would recommend discontinuing as being worried about it will not be beneficial to you physically or emotionally… Again the salve has a lot of ingredients – if it causes you concern, why not see about concentrating on just one or two plants… just a lovely oil infused with violets is wonderful or maybe dandelion – read up on some of Susun’s articles for breast health:

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/May09/breasthealth.htm

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/June09/breasthealth.htm

comfrey and calendula are often found in diaper creams… so I would not be concerned about using them for diaper rash. Comfrey is not recommended to use over deep/puncture type wounds… And then consumption is another entirely different thing. One should always look at the herb, the part of the herb being used, how it is prepared, what it is being used for, how it is being taken … In regards to comfrey, there is a lot of controversy in regards to internal use – Susun does use the comfrey LEAF in infusions: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/Comfrey.html. Most of us put it in our rotation of infusions, although I don’t use as often as others. You’ll find plenty of herbalists that won’t use comfrey internally – you have to decide what you are comfortable with.

Susun’s article on comfrey:  http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/June08/wisewoman.htm

You are also welcome to call in during Susun’s free health hotline – she holds it each Tuesday from 7:30pm – 9pm Eastern; http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed ; (646) 929-2463 

blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com
www.wisewomanbookshop.com
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanmentor.com

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Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions or email ahead of time to [email protected]. 

Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

 

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If you're ready to go deeper with your herbal studies, join Susun on her Mentorship website. Get new content weekly such as the expanded herbal ezine, replays of teleseminars, videos, audio of Susuns past lectures, many articles by Susun, and even personal one on one mentorship from Susun.
www.wisewomanmentor.com

Plantain Ointment

Plantain Ointment

Pick Plantago leaves when they are vibrant and green. Chop them coarsely and pack loosely into a clean, very dry jar. Add olive oil, dislodge air bubbles with a knife or chopstick until the jar is filled to the very top. label and cap securely. Let sit out of direct sunlight, on a surface that won't be marred by oozing oil.

Decant after six weeks, pouring off the oil and squeezing out what remains in the plant material. Discard the herb. Grate one tablespoon of beeswax for every ounce of oil. Stirring constantly, heat the oil and beeswax until the wax melts, usually within a minute. Pour the liquid into small, wide-mouthed jars (a good excuse for buying marinated artichoke hearts) and cool.

Use this ointment lavishly for diaper rash, insect bites, all itches, and minor wounds. It heals, stops itching, checks bleeding, and eases pain.

Excerpt from Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
www.wisewomanbookshop.com/product-page/wise-woman-herbal-for-the-childbearing-year

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Infant with eczema

Infant with eczema

A caller on blogtalk radio says her breastfed 3 month old developed eczema. She has been making changes to her diet and wants to know what herbs might help.
Susun agrees with the caller about increasing intestinal flora. She talks about yogurt and nourishing herbal infusions.

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Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call or Skype in: 1-646-929-2463, with your questions or email ahead of time to [email protected]. 

Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

Sciatic nerve pain

Sciatic nerve pain

A caller on blogtalkradio, asks for help with Sciatic nerve pain, due to holding her twin toddlers on her hip.  Susun suggests hypericum perforatum aka St. Joans wort, for helping to relieve pain in the nerves and explains how to use it.
This audio is just over 4:00 minutes long.

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Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions or email ahead of time to [email protected]. 

Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

Mullein milk for infants

Good morning,

We have a six-month-old with continuing lung congestion and a runny nose after being hospitalized in early January for 4 days with RSV, where he received Albuterol nebulizer treatments and also oxygen. He was also slightly premature by a week or two but was born healthy so perhaps his lungs were just not completely developed. I know the value of mullein milk for healing the lungs but wanted to ask you to make sure that it would be appropriate and safe to give him a small bottle of that once a day.

Thank you,
Lisa

 

Hello Lisa,

I do feel completely safe and comfortable using mullein infusion with infants. I would not put honey in it and maybe mix half and half with breast milk if you are nursing otherwise mix it with whatever formula you are using.
Thank you for writing in and please let me know if you have any more questions.

blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com
www.wisewomanbookshop.com
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanmentor.com

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Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions or email ahead of time to [email protected]. 

Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

 

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If you're ready to go deeper with your herbal studies, join Susun on her Mentorship website. Get new content weekly such as the expanded herbal ezine, replays of teleseminars, videos, audio of Susuns past lectures, many articles by Susun, and even personal one on one mentorship from Susun.
www.wisewomanmentor.com

Sciatic nerve pain

Sciatic nerve pain

A caller on blogtalkradio, asks for help with Sciatic nerve pain, due to holding her twin toddlers on her hip.  Susun suggests hypericum perforatum aka St. Joans wort, for helping to relieve pain in the nerves and explains how to use it.
This audio is just over 4:00 minutes long.

Nettle for Children

Hi Susun,

My daughter is slightly anemic, and I was wondering if nettle infusions would be safe for her? She is 19 months.

Thank you!
Inna

 

Inna,

hello.. yes, Nettle leaf infusion is completely as safe as eating cooked kale ….consider it a supreme food..
Nettle leaf infusion is rich in chlorophyll and iron….I began offering nettle leaf infusion to my daughter when she was six months old, she is now six years old and we drink at least a quart each per week, often far more…same with my husband and my mother…..hope this helps.

Here is an article from our website http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/June09/empower.htm

blessings,
Justine
Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com
www.wisewomanbookshop.com
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanmentor.com

---

Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions or email ahead of time to [email protected]. 

Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

 

---

If you're ready to go deeper with your herbal studies, join Susun on her new Mentorship website. Get new content weekly such as the expanded herbal ezine, replays of teleseminars, videos, audio of Susuns past lectures, many articles by Susun, and even personal one on one mentorship from Susun.
www.wisewomanmentor.com

Fertility Herbs - Red Clover, False Unicorn, Vitex...

I found your site and I had some questions about herbs that I was wondering if you had the answer to.  I have been trying to conceive for 11 years.  I am now 37 years old.  I've tried the medical treatments and they didn't work for me, so now I'm trying the natural route.  I have unexplained infertility though my doctor found very mild endometriosis, some fibroids and I had a burst ovarian cyst over 12 years ago, which might or might not have to do with my trouble conceiving.  I am doing research and I see some many herbs that can help, vitex, maca, red clover, false unicorn root and many more.  For unexplained infertility, which are the best herbs to try?  How many can I take at once?  Are there any that will interact with each other?   Thank you Simple is better.  This is the opinion of some, myself included.  The top herb I know for unexplained lack of conception is Red Clover blossoms prepared as an infusion.  Susun Weed writes in this article on herbs for fertility:

"One of the most cherished of the fertility-increasing plants is red clover (Trifolium pratense). Common in fields and along roadsides, it has bright pink (not really red) blossoms from mid-summer into the chilly days of fall. A favorite flower of the honeybees, the tops (blossoms and appending leaves) are harvested on bright sunny days and eaten as is, or dried for medicinal use. The raw blossoms are delicious in salads and nutritious when cooked with grains such as rice or millet.

"To make a fertility-enhancing infusion, I take one ounce by weight of the dried blossoms (fresh won't work for this application) and put them in a quart size canning jar. I fill the jar with boiling water, screw on a tight lid, and let it steep at room temperature overnight (or for at least four hours). Dozens of women have told me that they had successful pregnancies after drinking a cup or more (up to four cups) a day of red clover infusion.

"It is especially helpful if there is scaring of the fallopian tubes, irregular menses, abnormal cells in the reproductive tract, or "unexplained" infertility. It may take several months for the full effect of this herb to come on and pregnancy may not occurs until you have used it for a year or two. You can improve the taste by including some dried peppermint (a spoonful or two) along with the dried clover blossoms when making your infusion. Treat the father of the child-to-be to some red clover infusion, too!"

False Unicorn root might be helpful, and I don't know of contraindications with the Red Clover.  I consider it more of an herb to take as needed, whereas the Red Clover I see as a long term food-like herb.   Vitex berry tincture I think can be wonderful when unopposed excess estrogen increases ovarian cysts and fibroids and endometriosis.  Also, when conception happens or appears to happen but is lost as early as the first few weeks because progesterone levels do not stay high enough.  Again no contraindications that I know of with the above two herbs. Maca I consider an exotic plant that was food to a people and is now being marketed by drying a tiny piece of the root and stuffing into a capsule.  I would favor rich root foods that are grown close to home, even if Maca :), so long as it is prepared in your kitchen.  I do not recommend capsules of anything. You can read Susun Weed's thoughts on the importance of Simples. Let me know if I can help with anything further! Blessings, Karen Joy [email protected] www.wisewomanweb.com

Baby with Ear Infection

Hi, I am a new mom and my baby has had an "ear infection" for nearly six weeks and today the DR gave us the 3 rd round of medicine and she said if this doesn't work, next comes shot, then if that fails, comes the ENT. I was wondering about the echcinea root tincture (sorry about the spelling) and if that may help her! And can I give it to her with the antibiotics?? I'm so desperate! My baby seems to be in no pain and I am terrified that this may lead to her getting tubes in her ears!!! Please help! Thanks so much.

Yes you can use Echinacea root tincture while taking antibiotics.  To do so, use one drop of the tincture for every two pounds of her body weight - that is if she is 20 pounds, give her 10 drops in water or other liquid.  Do this every hour diligently for at least 20 hours.  In your case 48 hours may be best.  Then go to every 2 hours for the next 48 hours, then every 3, etc.  Keep it going for 10 days at least.  This means at night as well.  I know this is tough on you, but well worth it.  Sleep is essential when battling so if you can't get it to her thinking she is nursing, if she still nurses, then do it as soon as she wakes after an hour is passed.  The regularity of it is really important so set a timer if that helps during the day.  I have seen this work wonders where antibiotics struggle or fail.  I understand the fear.

I tend to be leery of oil in the ear, moreso with such a young one and ongoing infection.  However if you have herbal oils of most sorts, warming it with a candle under a spoon to comfortable warm, massage all around the outside of her ears.  If no herbal oil, use plain olive oil.  The massage and warmth of the oil help at least bring a little relief.  If you have herbal oils some of my favorite for this are Yarrow, Meadowsweet, and Monarda.

If you are feeding foods please do let her get bits of live culture yogurt to help replenish her good bacteria after all the antibiotics.  She can even suck it off your fingers.  This will help strengthen her as well as she battles infection.

Write any time.  I am happy to help however I can.  Let me know if I can help more.

Blessings,

Karen Joy

http://www.wisewomanweb.com

[email protected]

Conception, when surrounded with Negativity

Q: Dear Susun and Karen

I am 41 years old, turning 42 in September. My partner is 43. We have been trying to conceive for the last 19 months without success. I found the Susun Weed website about 2 months ago and have been trying Susun's advice.

I bought her book the 'childbearing year' and I am currently taking Red Raspberry leaf tea - 1 to 2 cups a day. Vitex - 1 squirt from the dropper per day into a glass of Red Clover Blossom infusion which I make up myself - about a cup a day. I also drink a cup of Nettle tea in the morning and try to eat as much organic produce as possible.

I visited an infertility specialist today as a followup to a hysteroscopy/laparoscopy that I had on May 3. She tells me there is nothing wrong physically, but my age is the problem and it is unlikely that I will ever concieve naturally. I will need the help of drugs such as Follicle stimulating hormone or Clomiphene. I am loathe to take drugs and the conversation scared me as I so wish to conceive naturally. She told me my eggs would be sad and tired and probably not very healthy because of my age.

It 's so depressing when I keep being told my age is a barrier to being able to conceive. Are you able to advise if what I'm taking is adequate as I would much rather prove her wrong and take these nourishing herbs than try the expensive prescription drugs. Everyone tells me that if I want a child that much, I'll take the drugs. But to me, it doesnt feel right.

I know I havent been on the herbs for long but do you see a possibility in conceiving without resorting to fertility drugs? Should I change what I'm taking or up the dose? I believe my cycles are fairly normal.

Thankyou for your wonderful website. I wish I'd found it months ago!

Regards

 

A: I hear your desire to have a child. And I totally understand your reservation to take the drugs. I would not equate that with a lack of passion for conceiving. As a woman and mother I understand one of the many beauties of having a child is the whole process, the natural beautiful magical process.

I can not answer for you whether you will be able to conceive. We are all unique. BUT based on my experience and what I have read and heard and witnessed, you being 41 definitely does not mean you can not conceive! So since I can not speak for the intricacies of your particular situation, I can confidently say women in their early 40s can conceive. Women in their late 40s do, and sometimes even in their early 50s!

I am sorry for the negativity around you. This must be daunting as you strive for something so meaningful to you. Sometimes though this can help us stand taller for what we want. I encourage you and support you to go for what you want. We always must know we may not get it, but you may. Two months is not long. And you may wish to drink up to 2 cups of the Red Clover blossom infusion a day. The Nettle leaf you may wish to make as an infusion rather than a tea and drink 2-4 cups of it a day. The Vitex berry tincture can be taken as a dropperful 2-3 times a day rather than one.

These are all wonderful nourishing things. Even if you don't conceive they will enrich your life. Even if you choose another method to help you conceive, they will make you that much more of a stronger mother for your child, as well as help against some of the damage the drugs may do. I invite you to give yourself a time limit perhaps. I would not make it any less that 6 months of diligently working with these herbs. Perhaps a year or two, or more. You are 41, if your doctor is saying you can not conceive now, I don't imagine you walking in the door at 42 or 43 would make that much of a difference when asking for the hormone drugs. I do understand though the desire to have a child now, but hear in your resistance to the drugs your desire for the whole process to be beautiful.

Don't forget your partner. He should be drinking the Nettle leaf infusions also :)

Good quality fats are key to a well functioning hormonal system.

I assume you read Susun's excerpt from New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way on "Fertility After Forty". I would not overlook the addition of focus on the earlier suggestions. Your mental state is important as is your partner's. Lunaception would be worth a try. As well you may wish to explore Natural Family Planning as a way to wrok more intimately with your cycles, know when you are best able to conceive and have a more personal relationship to the whole process. You can read about it here: http://www.gardenoffertility.com/. And here is a link to a woman who teaches it if you want more instruction than a book, http://www.fertaware.com/. Another good book on this topic is Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler.

This all may seem like a lot of work, but think of it as tending a garden in the spring. All the care and attention and fussing over bring rich luscious food later. Of course I know is the looming over that it may bring nothing, but that is true anywhere in life. We work hard toward our goal and life can often take a side turn we don't expect. This is doubly why the process has to be as precious and feel just as right as the desired outcome.

I am glad you wrote and encourage you to surround yourself with more positive images of conception at your age. The article is a start. We have a book that was a help to me. I was not over forty when conceiving but had been told for many years I was not able to conceive. I attribute why I was able to in part to reading the writings in this book, Conscious Conception by Jeannine Parvati Baker. You can get it through us, Ash Tree Publishing, or most major bookstores, or possibly even used stores or through a library. It has been around a while.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Dear Karen

Thank you for your email. It was very comforting. I understand there are no guarantees in this world but I am committed to trying to conceive naturally and healthily. I found your links extremely interesting.

Particularly about food and nutrition and the links to 'Real Milk'. I had no idea how mankind had destroyed such a wonderful natural product. I will certainly be trying to source some real milk and butter for myself and my partner. It's very overwhelming and saddening to think we have to fight to find natural food sources. Milk being only one such product.

I will continue to use the herbal advice from your email and Susun's book.

Thankyou for your time in replying to my email.

In love and light

 

A: So wonderful you will nourish yourself so well!! You are welcome to write any time if there is anything further we can help with. We would also love to hear how you are doing down the road, should you ever wish to share :)

with love,
Karen Joy