Childbearing Year

Soothing Sitz Bath, Healing Bath

Soothing Sitz Bath, Healing Bath
Soothes inflamed and tender tissues, heals trauma, lubricates

Soak 2 ounces/60g dried or 8 ounces/250g fresh mallow (malva neglecta) (pictured)
or comfrey roots, leaves, and/or flowers in 2 quarts/liters of cold water in a pot overnight.

Then bring to a boil.
Cover, remove from heat, and steep for 4–6 hours.
Strain.
Warm the liquid, pour it into a small tub and sit in it.
Alternately, pour it into a hot bath.

Or refrigerate and drink it.
A dose is a cup or more a day —heated or iced, sweetened or not — daily for at least ten days.

Excerpt from: Down There: Sexual and Reproductive Health the Wise Woman Way

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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External Uses of Infusions

External Uses of Infusions

A soak consists of an infusion that has been rewarmed after the plant material has been strained out. The affected body part is then soaked in the warm infusion.

If you soak your feet in an herbal infusion, it's a foot bath, an excellent way to soothe and heal the entire body, and absorb herbal benefits.

A sitz bath is a big soak! Two or more quarts of infusion are usually needed to fill a shallow bowl or pan big enough for you to "sitz" in.

° A bath is an enormous soak, like steeping your body in an infusion. You can prepare an herbal bath by putting the herbs directly in the tub, but my plumber made it clear to me that herbs and drains are incompatible. Some herbals say to put the herbs in a cloth and allow the bath water to run over them but I find the resulting bath too weak. If you want a strong herbal bath, try it this way: Infuse two quarts of your favorite bath herb, strain, and add the liquid to your hot bath. Ahhhhh!

Enemas, douches, and eyewashes are herbal infusions carefully strained and inserted into the proper body cavity.

Plant material strained out as an infusion still contains healing qualities and can be used to poultice. Simply place the damp plant material, warmed if desired, or fresh plant material grated, chewed, or crushed, directly on the body. Poultices are preferred for first aid and infections.

Make a compress by putting macerated fresh or infused dried plant material into a cloth. Compressing is recommended when using hairy herbs like Comfrey leaf which irritate sensitive skin. They are less messy than poultices, and are often the choice when dealing with internal organs and growths.

For a fomentation, take a clean washcloth or a small cotton towel, soak it in a heated infusion, wring it out, and apply. Fomentations treat breast congestion, sprains, muscle aches, and the like.

 

 

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Motherwort

Motherwort

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is the herb of longevity to the Japanese, who make it into a wine. Chinese and the Russian herbalists also favor motherwort.
I use motherwort tincture, made from her fresh flowering tops* tinctured in 100 proof vodka. The finished product smells vaguely like chocolate and tastes a lot better than the fresh or dried plant. Motherwort is a bitter mint, not an aromatic one.

Freaked out? Upset? Take a dropperful of motherwort! Distressed about something that might happen? Or might have happened? Take motherwort! Women with the premenstrual crazies take motherwort. Frenzied children take motherwort. Menopausally mad women take motherwort. Even lovers take motherwort. Spend some time in her lap and you'll come to cherish motherwort's calming ways too.

Motherwort is fast relief for those with menstrual cramps. A 5-10 drop dose, taken at the first twinge of pain and repeated every 10-15 minutes, or as needed, will do the trick for most women. Of course, a cup of ginger tea or a catnip joint will work too. What makes motherwort special is her tonic effect in addition to the pain relief. Motherwort tones the uterine muscle and eventually--usually within four months--eliminates those menstrual cramps for good.

Motherwort is a favorite ally of menopausal women too. A dropperful stops hot flashes, relieves rapid heartbeat, soothes frayed nerves, and helps the tears flow. A dose of 10-15 drops taken just before bed can help ensure deeper sleep. Daily use of 15 drops several times a day can improve vaginal elasticity and bolster libido.

In addition to its health-promoting effects on the uterus, motherwort heals the heart. It is, in fact, one of the world's best heart tonics. Its name means "lion hearted" or "strong hearted." Daily use helps new blood vessels grow to the heart. I call it "a bypass in a bottle." (Yes, motherwort increases vascularization to the uterus as well, so daily--but not occasional--use is contra-indicated for women with endometriosis or fibroids.) A dose of 10-20 drops, taken several times a day, can lower blood pressure, improve heart action, and strengthen electrical activity in the heart.

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/July08/wisewoman.htm

Witch hazel

Witch Hazel stops bleeding and more

Susun talks more about Witch Hazel, including it's ability to stop bleeding. Midwives use it for postpartum bleeding. She also talks about other uses.

 

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Postpartum pain

Postpartum pain

A caller on blogtalkradio says her friend just gave birth and is experiencing pain from stitches. Susun says she does not like to do 2nd hand questions but since it's a general question she'll give some suggestions. She talks about Nourishing herbal infusions and herbal oils.

This audio is almost 8 minutes long.

 

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Witch Hazel stops bleeding and more

Witch Hazel stops bleeding and more

Susun talks more about Witch Hazel, including it's ability to stop bleeding. Midwives use it for post partum bleeding. She also talks about other uses.

Early signs of prolapse

Hello Susan,
My name is Chris and I am owner/founder of Ocean City Organics and own ,sell your books. My beautiful daughter age 28 is recovering from a long hard delivery w/ her first child Sienna born 8.13 pounds. Her midwives were wonderful however she is now after almost 5 weeks after delivery feeling pain and pressure still somewhat bedridden and finally getting the nerve to hold a mirror and see her vaginal area she sees what appears to be signs of prolapse. She did have urinary difficulty up till a week ago which as subsided,she sobed to me and she is scared of not being able to have another child. She drank nettles & raspberry infusions after miscarrying her previous pregnancy during her pregnancy. Is there time to do something to regain the integrity of her womb. What can I do for her ,what can she do for herself? I have read of your suggestion of Burdock should I get her some quality dried herb or tincture?

Blessings to you,
Chris

 

Hello Chris,

Do you have Susun's latest book, Down There, Sexual and Reproductive Health, the Wise Woman Way? Susun has a chapter with a lot of information on prolapses in there. Your daughter will want to do strengthening pelvic exercises such as kegels - Susun recommends comfrey leaf infusions, both to drink and to use as sitz baths. These can help in nourishing and tonifying the connective tissues -- drink a quart or more a week.

Some more from the book:

The pessaries are very helpful to hold uterus in place and overall seem to get high marks for ease of use and comfort ... I would continue as well with the red raspberry leaf infusions, Susun also suggest red clover infusions to help with uterine prolapse... Your daughter could also look into Maya Abdominal Massage and Acupuncture as supportive body work techniques. In Susun's book, she also lists a number of homeopathic remedies that would be very specific to certain ways that the prolapse is effecting your daughter... She might also want to check out this forum dealing with prolapse: https://wholewoman.com/forum/forum

Our bodies have a wonderful way of working around things and there are lots of women who have had multiple children after a prolapse -- it certainly can be done and I've heard of them being reversed, especially if you begin proactive measures as soon as possible.

blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team

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

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Postpartum Bleeding

Susun.

My Doula introduced me to your herbal infusions which I felt did wonders for my birth. I am two weeks postpartum with my fourth and have for the past two days increased bleeding and cramping as well as vaginal soreness. It is like the start of a period. I was on the mend until this recent hiccup.

I wanted to know what you would recommend for a nursing mom. My husband is going back to work and I am back on the couch most of the day since my bleeding picked up. I have been taking nettles and recently oatstraw infusions. I also have cramp bark tea and shepards purse, motherwort and Angelica tinctures.

Thank you...

Hello,

It is not uncommon for postpartum bleeding to come and go, and the level of bleeding sounds normal, so do you feel as if something unusual is going on? Absolutely keep up with the infusions that you are doing. Along with the nettle and oatstraw, perhaps add red raspberry leaf infusions which are a wonderful strengthening tonic for the uterus. 

Have you started taking any of the tinctures? Shepherd's purse is one that would be recommended often times, as it slows bleeding and contracts the uterus. It definitely works best if it is a tincture made from the fresh flowering plant - usually 20-40 drops under the tongue as needed. I know many midwives use angelica when they are dealing with bleeding before the placenta is delivered but am not familiar with its use for postpartum bleeding. Motherwort is wonderful for calming, but can in some cases, increase bleeding, so if it were me, I would probably not use that. The oatstraw infusions can help with any distress you may be feeling from the situation.

I also find Lady's Mantle tincture a great ally for all manners of situations of including bleeding. Again using a dropperful under the tongue as needed.

Often times things like this is our body's way of telling us to slow down and take care of ourselves. Something that I know is hard, with hubby gone and other children in the house, but if there is anyway that you can get some help as needed and rest with your baby, the happier your body will probably be.

You may also wish to check out our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com. There are usually lots of discussions going on with pregnancy and postpartum issues, so a search there may find some more suggestions as well. Enjoy your beautiful new baby.

 

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com

www.wisewomanbookshop.com

www.wisewomanuniversity.org