plants for birth support
● red raspberry leaf: contains fragrine - an alkaloid that tones muscles in the pelvic region,
including the uterus - vitamins C, E, calcium, iron, A&B complex, phosphorous,
potassium
● nettle: vitamins A, C, D, K****, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron, & sulfur
○ aids kidneys*****
○ prevents hemorrhage and reduces hemorrhoids, and pain
● calcium
○ food sources - goat milk/cheese, salmon, seaweed, salmon, dark leafy greens
■ dried dates, figs, prunes, raisins, papayas, elderberries
○ wild greens i.e. dandelion, amaranth
○ fresh parsley & watercress
○ raspberry leaf & nettle infusions
○ warning against
■ spinach, chocolate, rhubarb & brewer’s yeast - may* interfere with
absorption of calcium
■ bone meal, oyster shell tablets
● ground ivy + angelica (+ red raspberry): facilitates the birth of the placenta
● problems during pregnancy
○ morning sickness
■ most allopathic anti-nausea medications contain antihistamines, which
have been shown to cause birth defects in animals
■ maintaining blood sugar levels (through food - sizable frequent meals, &
high-protein snacks)
■ increasing iron and vitamin B (especially B1/B6)
■ daily walks
■ drinking anise and/or fennel seed tea after waking, and/or 1 tbsp of apple
cider vinegar with 8oz of water in the morning
■ remedies
● fresh air, raspberry leaf tea, peach leaf tea, spearmint/peppermint
infusion, ginger root tea (tbsp doses), wild yam root*, visualization*
○ miscarriage
■ causes
● herbicides, pesticides, radiation, etc. in water, air, food
● loose/”incompetent” os
● hormonal imbalances
■ preventing chronic miscarriage
● inverted yoga postures - headstand & shoulder stand - are
recommended for folks carrying twins
● black haw root bark - safe to drink throughout pregnancy
● false unicorn root - consult with a professional before use
● 3 drops of the tincture 4-5 times daily; duration: one month prior to
conception - first trimester)
■ preventing threatened miscarriage
, ● bedrest, relaxation, vitamin E, alcohol, wild yam root infusion (2-4
oz every 30 min), lobelia herb
■ completing a miscarriage
● have an experienced & skilled assistant accompanying
● have herbs that control bleeding on hand
○ shepherd's purse, witch hazel (not from a drugstore)
tincture - 10-20 drops under the tongue as is necessary
● 20 drops each of blue & black cohosh tinctures every hour to
empty the uterus
○ varicose veins/hemorrhoids
■ preparation h, americaine, anusol - contain local anesthetics which are
absorbed by the skin and may be harmful to the fetus
■ exercise
● leg inversions
● inverted yoga postures i.e. plow
● swimming, brisk walking
■ diet
● rutin, found naturally in association with vitamin C, is specific for
repairing broken capillaries
○ warning against supplemental use in 1st trimester
● beets cleanse the liver and promote easy elimination
● avoid all spices (especially cayenne & black pepper)*** - increase
congestion in varicose veins, and may even cause bleeding from
the hemorrhoids
■ herbs
● oatstraw, nettle, parsley
● warning against ingesting aloe vera products and/or yellow/white
sweet clover tea
○ draw blood towards the lower half of the body, may
increase the problem
■ first aid
● for varicose veins
○ oak bark, apple cider vinegar wash to soothe pain
○ comfrey, mullein, yarrow leaf infusion/poultice as compress
to ease aches and tighten veins
○ witch hazel application - pain relieving astringent, tightens
tissues and relieves swelling
● for hemorrhoids
○ apply
■ baking soda - may produce heat/burning sensation
- eases itchiness
■ lemon juice, witch hazel - will sting - reduces
swelling & curbs bleeding
■ grated raw potato - eases swelling and pain
