Archive for July, 2009
Using Herbs During Pregnancy
The first trimester of pregnancy is not a time for experimentation. If you already take herbs or herbal combinations, and you understand herbs and your own body, you most likely can continue to take most of your protocol throughout pregnancy. If, however, you have never taken herbs before, the first trimester of pregnancy is not the time to start. During the first trimester of pregnancy, if an expectant mother wants to add a more healthy regimen to her lifestyle, fresh and organic fruits and vegetables are the best way to do that.
Vegetables and fruits all have their own unique healing properties. Herbs are vegetables with notable potential to be medicinal; in fact many of them are refined to create drugs. Thus is the case with foxglove which can be reduced to digitoxin prescribed for cardiovascular disease. I state this because although herbs are the balanced whole plant and medicine is the extract, therefore refined and targeted, certain herbs, even with their whole properties can be dangerous during pregnancy.
Single herbs that can be taken safely during pregnancy are: red raspberry, spearmint, licorice, lemon grass, chamomile, rose hips, fennel, alfalfa, anise and anise seed, dandelion, ginger, slippery elm, lavender, rose, and meadowsweet.
Nausea is a common complaint during the first trimester of pregnancy. Anise and fennel are great remedies. Fennel tea can be made by steeping the seed in warm water and then sipping. Meadowsweet is another aid for the seasick feelings of early pregnancy. Use about one teaspoon per cup of hot water and drink a cup of meadowsweet tea morning and afternoon or early evening. Always make infusions light and take time sipping. Anise seed can be carried and chewed on while out and about and unable to stop for tea
In smaller amounts ginger is always good for the digestion, and can be made by dropping a spoonful of a tincture into warm water, or by steeping a piece of ginger root itself in hot water. In small amounts, Spearmint mixed with several other herbs to make a tea can be very soothing. Dandelion tea, a soothing herb is a good neutralizing food when nausea strikes. Dandelion will also provide food for the blood and immune system. The reason for taking small and light doses of any herb or food during pregnancy is because not only can the mother create an intolerance or allergy to a single herb in her own body, the baby may be affected also.
Dried Alfalfa leaves are loaded with vitamins and minerals like A, B6, B12, C, E, K, folate and niacin. These are powerful agents to prevent birth defects. Taking Alfalfa before conception, during pregnancy and postnatal is quite useful.
During the second and third trimester a mother can take all of the herbs and formulas she has been used to in the first trimester with further additions. Red Raspberry tea is probably the most famous of herbs for prenatal use. Two cups daily for the concluding six months is recommended as it prepares the uterus for labor and birth. Steep two tablespoons of red raspberry: pour boiling hot water over the herb and steep up to twenty minutes. Not only do the alkaloids, it is believed, keep contractions quite regular during labor, there is the added plus of enhancing mothers milk after delivery.
Peppermint, one herb that is usually not a problem, should be kept on the shelf for the term of the pregnancy. The volatile oils in peppermint can over stimulate the nervous system of the unborn infant. The aroma of the leaves however can help immeasurably as aromatherapy for morning or afternoon sickness. Chamomile mixed with other herbs in a blend is usually not a problem as the content of chamomile is slight. Insomnia during second and third trimesters can be soothed with chamomile, lemon grass and lavender. Chamomile may be used with caution in the second and third trimesters. Drink only one cup per day as too much can cause early labor or miscarriage because of its relaxing qualities.
Typically unknown by many, herbs used in combinations usually enhance each other. The true enhancement process, used by Chinese herbalists when combining the Kingly herbs removes any toxic elements, or allergen causing properties while enhancing the healing properties of herbs. This technique creates a food like quality, a formulation which is food for healing and strengthening. Working with an herbalist, a nutritionist that has an herbal background or a naturopath will ensure that you get the information you need to decide whether or not a formula should be used during pregnancy.
During early signs of labor it is perfectly good to drink calming herbal teas such as: tincture of passionflower in warm water calms during early stages of labor. Aromatherapy with oils of lavender, which eases anxiety, and peppermint which eases nausea are great aids during labor. Chamomile, not recommended in large doses any other time in pregnancy, is a great relaxant during those early stages of labor.
Watch for the next article which dives a bit deeper into herbs that can be used post natal or if mother delivers by Cesarean Section. Until then, take the best of care, eat organic, raw fruits and vegetables during and after pregnancy, and stay really happy.
Antibiotics for the Common Cold?
Have you ever wondered why some children see doctors more frequently, are on antibiotics many times in a years time and yet never seem well?
It is because antibiotics strip the body of a very necessary array of intestinal flora. This internal flora helps the body digest, stay balanced, keep candida yeast in check, and in general stay alive. So what will be the outcome for children targeted over and over again for antibiotics, steroids or other medications that will ruin intestinal function?
I think it is true that most people do not realize optimum health and clear thinking. How difficult for a child unable to tell a parent that food makes their tummy hurt or that they cannot go to the bathroom even when they feel the need or that eating gives them a headache. They may not have terms to explain those complaints but their world will become that reality without healthy change. The simple fact is that medication is destroying their tiny digestive system. They will live a life of doctor’s visits, runny noses, constipation, recurring coughs, recurring bad skin, tummy aches, etc. There is a solution.
First of all colds and influenza, bacterial or viral, are messages that the body needs rest and is out of balance. That will never be corrected by medication. Medication is a suppressor of the symptoms only, inevitably of the immune system itself. In a tough spot, and on occasion, medication is needed. A child’s life should not be endangered; however, a parent must be equipped with the internal fortitude, enough fresh juice, vitamin C and Homeopathic Remedies to carry through the most ordinary of situations: colds, influenza, and allergies.
Fevers with the young and old should never run too high; and yet the body burns out infection and disease with a fever. If a fever is always suppressed, what message does that give to the body? Let a fever run it’s course was an old saying that quite possibly sounds like grounds for jail time now; however, parents must realize that the body actually knows what it is doing far better than we can understand. It has an Internal and High Intelligence that can turn the tide even in near death situations, and often does.
No one can make that call for you, the one between letting a fever burn out the infection or running to Med -7 or the ER. There are a few tips about how the body works and tell you what will work and will not work.
Rest is imperative, and if I can go on record, even from computers and televisions at close range. Those transmissions at close range are detrimental to the immune system. Fresh, hand squeezed, or organic bottled juices are the best thing for sick children. Vitamin C, maybe Ginger, Chamomile or Dandelion & Echinacea tea with stevia or honey will soothe and assist the body to do its job. Sometimes recurring symptoms are a cry for love and attention so give it when a child is sick and again when they are well.
Have pure herbal oils in the home and castor oil. Create packs that can be warmed and placed on backs and chests. Oils can also be dropped in cool tub water to help bring down a fever. Try to get the fever under control a bit even if you have decided to take the trip to the doctors office. Now that we have covered some warm and cozy alternatives to the habitual running to a doctors office, lets go back to reminders why we want to have the courage to teach children how great their body is designed.
You want to try everything you can to get well with healthy alternatives and a healthy ongoing lifestyle first because your child will be full of wonder at life. Make your home a fortress of health, from water to herbal teas and fresh juices, Echinacea, goldenseal, dandelion, vitamin C (always) herbal teas for children, tuck away organic bottled juice (if you don’t juice yourself) and make homemade soups. They will be bright minded and not dull witted. They will have courage and find their own inner strength. They will have faith in life and its processes. They will be a success in life. They will be spiritual BEINGS with a healthy intestinal tract.
Every child is different. Some have more energy, others inquisitive, creative, inventive, and then some may be ill. Building the system with fresh fruits and vegetables, getting the mineral and enzyme count up will help immeasurably. Remember that medication destroys the integrity of the intestinal tract to absorb nutrients and after continued use the child is more depleted and now has candida yeast overgrowth and compromised gut or leaky bowel syndrome. So, if they must be on medication to live, continue your quest for their recovery naturally also.
As every child is unique, every instance is different. If you have a child that needs medications to stay alive then make sure they get probiotics, vitamins and minerals (and I do not mean the one every day thing). See that they stay regular, which means that they have a bowel movement once or twice a day. Make fresh juices for the child, only buy organic, and drop out sugars, soda or anything white or denatured. You can still take charge and watch the miracle as your child begins getting stronger. Your entire family will be a family of champions because of your courage to take conscious control.
Always keep in mind the above stated are my opinions and I do have them. Self care should not take the place of a doctors care when needed. I am a Nutritionist and Naturopath but I have taken my children and myself to the doctor, only when necessary and not that often. Being balanced is the key.