Childbearing Year

Congestion during Pregnancy

My daughter is expecting her first child, is in her fourth month. She has a bad chest cough and chest congestion. Docs have given her all the antibiotics she's allowed during pregnancy with no improvement. Do you have any very simple single herb tea or remedy I can send to her or she can get in Washington DC? I live in Minneapolis in the matter is rather urgent. I have your book healing lies and herbal childbearing year. She is a nurse as a fertility clinic. Her pregnancy docs are very negative against her taking any herbs during pregnancy because they said they're not safe. So of course I have to be sure that they are safe.

Thank you so much,
Adrienne

 

Hello Adrienne,

Your daughter is welcome to call in during Susun's free health hotline to speak directly with Susun... She would need to speak with her since it is not good to work thru second hand information. If she is able to call in, Susun holds the hotline each Tuesday evening from 7:30pm - 9pm Eastern and the number for calling in is: (646) 929-2463
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

Mullein is a wonderful supporter of lung health and is gentle and safe .... She can make the infusions, drink either hot or cold -- Susun likes to drink them half and half with whole milk for the extra benefits... Some sources on this below:

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/june03/herbalmedicine.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQjCHcjG8d0

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 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.
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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.
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St. Johns wort & nursing

Hi -
I’m nursing a 5 month old and taking St. John’s Wort. I’ve recently experienced a dip in supply, and was wondering if SJW interacts with fenugreek, fennel or blessed thistle.

Thank you for your time and help,
Katie

 

Hello Katie,

I have not heard of any correlation between the two -- nor have I heard Susun mention to avoid in general during breast-feeding. Are you taking the tincture? This is the only form that Susun recommends for St. Johns wort. You can call into Susun's free health hotline as well and talk with her directly:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed; (646) 929-2463 .. you might also want to check at Susun's online forum, there is a room there dedicated to the childbearing year:  http://healingwiseforum.com/viewforum.php?f=10

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 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.
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Anemia Prevention Brew

Anemia Prevention Brew

excerpt from: Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year

½ ounce dried Nettle leaves
½ ounce dried Parsley leaves
½ ounce dried Comfrey leaves
½ ounce dried Yellow Dock root
¼ ounce dried Peppermint leaves

Measure herbs and put them into a glass half-gallon juice jar.
Pour boiling water in until the jar is totally full; cover tightly.
Steep for at least eight hours.

This brew contains three excellent sources of iron: Nettle, Parsley, and Yellow Dock.
It provides folic acid from the Parsley and vitamin B12 from the Comfrey.
The green herbs all contribute vitamin C which aids iron absorption.
The Mint makes it tasty.
Drink freely, up to four cups a day , for one week each month.
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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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Bladder Infections

Bladder Infections

excerpt from: Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year

The blood volume increases 50% during pregnancy. Your kidneys, responsible for cleaning the blood, are called upon to work correspondingly harder, and your entire urinary system becomes more vulnerable to stress and infection. As you enter the last trimester of pregnancy, be alert for warning signs of bladder, or urinary tract, infections: an urgent and frequent impulse to urinate (often with little result), a burning sensation during urination, and a mild cramping and aching in the abdomen. Prompt treatment of early symptoms, and preventative action, are the safest course for bladder infections during pregnancy, as both herbs and medicines strong enough to cure these infections increase the stress on the kidneys and have other undesirable side effects. Non-symptomatic bladder infections discovered during routine prenatal urine sampling can be successfully treated with the stronger remedies listed last.

Preventing Bladder Infections

° Wear cotton underwear or no underwear; avoid tight polyester pants and pantyhose; bacteria thrive in the moist heat trapped by synthetic fibers.
° Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and urinate as soon as you feel the urge; bacteria breed more easily and rapidly in concentrated and held urine.
° Wipe from front to back, and urinate after intercourse; bacteria are easily transferred to the bladder from rectum and surrounding tissues.
° Avoid bubble bath, bath oil, bath salts; bacterial growth is aided by the resulting change in normal acid/alkaline balance.
° Drink 5-10 cups of Nettle tea or infusion every week during the last trimester to strengthen the kidneys.

Remedies for Bladder Infections

° Unsweetened cranberry juice can stop a bladder infection that is just developing. The keys to successful use are 1) the juice must not be sweetened at all (no sugar, dextrose, corn syrup, maple syrup, honey, etc.); 2) the juice must be consumed liberally (an 8 ounce glass every hour for ten hours is not excessive); and 3) the juice must be started as soon as the first twinge or suspicion of infection occurs. Buy unsweetened cranberry juice or concentrate in health food stores, or prepare your own "juice" by blending a handful of fresh frozen berries with a cup of water in your blender. Sour!

° Vitamin C is helpful in acidifying the urine and "washing" out the bacteria. Doses of up to 500 mg per hour may be used. CAUTION: Large doses of vitamin C may cause loose stools.

 • Uva Ursi Arctostaphylos uva-ursi kills bacteria in the bladder. I have seen it clear up chronic bladder infections resistant to antibiotics and standard allopathic medicines. Because it is a strong diuretic, Uva Ursi requires cautious use during pregnancy. Brew one ounce of Uva Ursi leaves in a quart jar of boiling water for eight hours. Drink one cup of this infusion every twelve hours for the first two days, or in severe cases, one cup every four hours. Continue with at least one cup daily for another three days, even if the symptoms disappear sooner. Do not use Uva Ursi for more than ten days.

• Yarrow The astringency, antibacterial effect, and diuretic potency of Achillea millefolium is called for if Uva Ursi alone does not clear the bladder infection within five days. Use one half ounce Yarrow flowers and one half ounce Uva Ursi leaves in one quart of boiling water; steep 8 hours. Drink two or three cups daily for no more than five days.

CAUTION: Juniper berries, Horsetail/Shave Grass, and Buchu are contraindicated during pregnancy due to the stress they place on the kidneys.

 

excerpt from: Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year

Trying to conceive, tubal reversal

Had tubal reversal, trying to get pregnant nothing yet.... hsg revealed one open tube one blocked tube... period is regular each month....am taking vitamins that have vitex....husband has low sperm is also on vitamins etc....is there anything else I can do? Am considering taking red clover infusions but is it safe while taking vitamins that contain vitex?...thank you for your time

I am 36 hubby 42
Belinda

 

Hello Belinda,

I encourage you to call in to Blog Talk Radio to speak directly with Susun on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 EST at 1-646-929-2463 .

I will however give you a starting point. The vitamins you are taking are probably not doing you any good and taking vitex other than in tincture or tea form is not effective. The best way to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need is from whole food stuff. Nourishing herbal infusions are a wonderful way to get a lot of the nutrition you need, especially when trying to conceive for both you and your male partner. Check out this website for information on all of the infusions to rotate through and how to make them. http://www.nourishingherbalinfusions.com/ Red clover infusion is completely safe to drink while taking vitex tincture. The dosage of vitex is usually 30-50 drops, three times per day for at least three cycles, I'm sure you are not taking nearly enough.

You can also start making bone broths, eating at least a quart of plain full fat yogurt a week, exercising and communing with the spirit of the child you wish to conceive.

Here is a link to a question answered on Blog Talk Radio about Improving Sperm Motility, Normality and Count http://www.wisewomanmentor.com/q&a/3058155

Thank you for writing in and please let me know if you need any more help.

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 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.
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Hormonal acne

Hi Susun,

I am writing for help with my hormonal acne. I get very painful spots and cysts only on my chin for the last three years, and it worsens just before ovulation and menstruation. The spots alternate sides of my chin every week or so. I've had my hormones tested at day 22 of my cycle, and know that I am what's called "estrogen dominant" with very low progesterone, low estrogen, and a high ratio of estrogen to progesterone. I take vitex tincture during the second half of my cycle, and peony tincture daily (thanks to herbalist Matthew Wood). I take burdock tincture 3x/day. I drink nourishing herbal infusions, mostly red clover 1 quart/day. I eat tons of yogurt and do eat animal fat. I feel like I have tried every skincare treatment, topical or internal, and every elimination diet in the book, but nothing has made the chin spots disappear. I am 25 and have dealt with this for three and a half years; it began directly after a deeply traumatic event when I was 21. Help!

What would you recommending doing, not doing, or adding to my life to nourish my skin and NOT balance but support my hormones, if indeed they are the cause of the spots? Should I drink burdock nourishing herbal infusions as well as taking burdock tincture - and what dose of tincture?

Thank you
Heather

 

Hello,
Susun addressed your question during her recent radio show - link included below:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed/2013/10/29/ask-susun-weed--herbalist-and-health-expert

And in case you miss it, as it was brought up towards the end, Susun says, please do not drink so much red clover, it is a blood thinner and if you are drinking a quart a week, that is too much .... one quart a week is fine - best to concentrate on other herbs such as nettles, oatstraw...

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 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.
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Blue and Black Cohosh

Blue and Black Cohosh

Susun shows us Blue and Black Cohosh. Blue cohosh causes the uterus to contract. Black cohosh is an antispasmodic.

Making Infused Oils

Making Infused Oils
by Susun Weed

Excerpt from: Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
In your herbal pharmacy you transform fresh and dried plants into herbal medicines. Learning to identify and use the common plants around you is easy and exciting, beneficial and safe. Making your own medicines saves you money if you follow the Wise Woman tradition of using local herbs, free for the taking.

Even one day's work in field, forest, and kitchen can provide you with many years' worth of medicines. When you make your own, you know for sure what's in it, where it came from, when and how it was harvested, and how fresh and potent it is.

Dried herbs are best for the infusions recommended in this book. Stock your herbal pharmacy with your own foraged or cultivated dried herbs; expand your resources and experiment with new herbs by buying dried herbs from reputable sources.

Fresh herbs are best for the tinctures and oils recommended in this book. If you can't make your own, buy from sources who wildcraft or grow their own herbs to use fresh in preparations.

Whether you buy or make your own medicines, remember, herbal remedies may not work or may work incorrectly if they aren't prepared correctly. Read this chapter carefully; it contains easy to follow instructions for every remedy and preparation mentioned in this book [Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year].

Oil Bases

There are two very different types of oil-based herbal medicines. They are known as essential oils and infused oils.

Essential oils cannot be made easily at home. They are the pure plant oil, usually extracted by chemicals or hot steam. Hundreds of pounds of fresh plant material may produce only ounces of essential oil. Essential oils are readily available commercially. They are used in aroma therapy, as insect repellents, and to increase local circulation.

Essential oils are intended for external use. They can be fatally poisonous if taken internally in quantity. They are also highly irritating to the mucus surfaces of the body (genitals, mouth, eyes, etc.) and may cause allergic skin reactions in some people. Be certain to keep all essential oils well out of the reach of children.

Infused oils can be made at home. They are usually reserved for external uses, but could be taken internally without disastrous results. Infused oils are much less potent than essential oils and have none of the associated side effects. Infused oils can only be made from fresh plants, with the exception of some roots which can be coaxed into an oil base if baked in the oven for many hours.

Infuse herbs in any type of oil: olive, safflower, apricot, coconut, etc. The lighter, clearer oils are expensive; they produce delicate and beautiful infused oils. Olive oil is my personal choice; it rarely turns rancid, is absorbed easily into the skin, adds its own healing benefits to the preparation, and is available inexpensively.

Making Infused Oils

° Pick the plant on a dry, sunny day.

° Discard any diseased or soiled parts. Do not wash any part of the plant. If there is dirt on the plant, scrub it off with a stiff, dry brush.

° Chop the plant coarsely.

° Completely fill a clean, very dry jar with the chopped herb.

° Slowly pour oil into the jar, poking with a chopstick or knife to release air and make sure the oil penetrates into all layers of the herb.

° add enough oil to thoroughly cover all the plant material and fill the jar to the very rim. (As with preparing a tincture, it is really possible to fill that jar twice: once with herb and then again with the vehicle.)

° Cork the jar or screw on a lid.

° Label the jar with he name of the plant, the plant part used, the kind of oil used, and the date. Example: St. Joan's Wort, leaf and flower, olive oil, 21 June 1985.

° Keep the jar of infused oil at normal room temperature and on a surface that will not be ruined by seeping oil.

° Decant the infused oil in six weeks. The plants can be left in the oil longer, but have a tendency to mold and spoil if not kept very cool.

° Oil held in the plant material after the decanting can be extracted. Put small handfuls into a clean kitchen towel or cotton cloth; squeeze and wring out the oil.

° Allow the decanted oil to sit for several days while the water in it (from the fresh plant material) settles to the bottom of the jar. Then carefully siphon or pour off the oil, leaving the water behind.

° Store at cool room temperature or refrigerate.

Trouble Shooting Infused Oils

Mold grows readily in infused oils. the presence of any moisture on the herb or in the jar encourages mold growth.

° If the jar is not filled to the top, mold will grow in the air space left. To save your preparation, completely remove the mold and fill the jar to the top with fresh oil.

° If the jar was not totally dry when you filled it, mold will grow along the inside of the jar. Save your preparation by carefully pouring the oil and the plant material into a dry jar. Jars dried in the oven for five minutes immediately prior to use prevent this problem.

° If the jar is put in the sun or left near a heat source, the warmth will cause condensation inside the jar, providing the moisture necessary for colonies of mold. Remove the mold and pour oil and plant material into a fresh jar to save this.

° If the plant material was wet when combined with the oil, mold will grow throughout the oil. Saving it is impossible. Start again.

Some herbs release gas as they infuse. You may notice bubbles moving in the oil; this is not a problem and does not indicate spoilage. Chickweed, Comfrey, and Yellow Dock are notable in their gas production when infused in oil. The gas will force some of the oil out of the jar (yes, even if tightly capped). Corked jars go pop! Rancidity occurs when there is plenty of heat and oxygen.

Infused oils in an olive oil base resist rancidity at cool room temperature for several years. In very warm climates, adding the contents of a capsule or two of vitamin E to the decanted oil helps prevent rancidity. Tincture of Myrrh or Benzoin added to ointments also checks rancidity; use about ten drops of either per ounce of oil.

Making Ointments

Ointments and salves are easily made from infused oils.

° Pour one ounce of infused oil into a very small pan.

° Grate a tablespoon of beeswax and add it to the oil. (Buy beeswax from a local beekeeper, craft supply shop, or marine supply store.)

° Place the pan on low heat; a candle flame will suffice.

° Stir constantly until the beeswax is totally melted. This rarely takes more than a minute or two.

° Pour the liquid into your ointment jar and allow to cool and solidify.

° If the consistency is too hard, remelt and add more infused oil.

° If the consistency is too soft, remelt and add more beeswax.

Excerpt from:
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year  

Linden

Linden

Susun talks about taking a walk to find plants. She shows us a Linden tree.

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