Natural Postpartum Care with Herbs & Botanicals
By Amy Lupton & Lisa Russell (of Gentle Leaps)
There is a delicate balance happening constantly from the moment when a woman is pregnant. Such a beautiful ebb and flow, as growth and change accelerate, and a tiny human is fully developing in the womb. It's a wonder to feel a baby kick and watch your belly grow.
Modern medicine has been a marvel when it comes to helping premature children, life-saving surgeries for mamas and cesareans. We must remember at our roots and in the hands of our ancestors that herbs and natural remedies have been the mainstay for thousands of years during and after childbirth.
Herbs and flowers were placed on the baby and mama after birth, herbs were used to help heal the mama, salves were made to soothe baby's skin. Many of the conventional products used now for mama and baby after birth are full of parabens and endocrine disruptors that are not healthy for mama in her healing state, and baby in their gentle disposition.
Below is some general guidance on how to prepare and care for your body in postpartum, as well as the role of herbs and how they can support the body after birth.
As always: The information on this website is for educational purposes, has not been evaluated by the FDA, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease, nor is it medical advice. One should always consult a qualified medical professional before engaging in any dietary and/or lifestyle change.
Natural Care in Postpartum:
After you give birth, you will be faced with the monumental task of caring for both your new baby, yourself, and possibly other family members.
Care for the mother can often be overlooked, so I’m here to encourage you to prepare for your own care as much as you would tend to baby’s needs. Lochia, the bleeding postpartum, can last for up to 6 weeks, plus you may need to gently tend to a tear or scar.
Most birth centers and hospitals will provide you with some version of the products below – however they are typically not organic or nontoxic.
Knowing that, I put a few of these (perineal spray, balm, pads) in my birthing bag. I tend to err on the side of non-toxic and botanical products, so here is a list of my go-tos.
At home, I created a basket in my bathroom with all of these items neatly stacked up and ready for when I needed them. It’s a perfect project for those last weeks of pregnancy. When I arrived home with baby, elated and also exhausted, I was so happy to see that basket.
I (Lisa) am very passionate about encouraging mama to plan for, and take care of herself in postpartum. If mama is well cared for, then she can be more present and energetically available to care for baby. This is why I worked with Amy who is a Master Herbalist to create a special Gentle Leaps line of organically sourced, small batch botanicals for mama in postpartum. You can find them here, along with a 65 page guide with all things needed to prepare for postpartum.
Creating Your Postpartum Basket:
Sitz Bath and Herbs – This kit has soothing and aromatic herbs and is great to add to a gift registry too.
Postpartum Restore Tonic – There are many hormonal changes that come after giving birth. An herbal tonic can be very supportive. This is beautiful herbal tonic infused with blood-building nutrients, adaptogens, and calming and restorative ingredients.
Peri Balm – We crafted a nourishing balm to prep before & soothe the perineal area after birth. The Gentle Leaps balm is non-toxic and free of chemicals, unlike the options you may encounter at the hospital or birth center (like Dermaplast & Tucks pads). The gentle aroma is meant to nurture your feminine spirit. This is an especially welcome treat when you are caring for yourself in the tender days after birth. I also like one balm from Earth Mama.
Postpartum Care Package- There are so many decisions to make after birth. To make it easy (and cost effective), I bundled the essentials into a kit which includes: Nipple Cream, Perineal Balm, Perineal Spray, Postpartum Balance Tea, and Lactation Chai Tea, all for a discount. It is the perfect gift to add to your registry.
Organic Witch Hazel & Cotton Pads – Helpful for hemorrhoid care and relief. A natural alternative and free of chemicals/additives that are in the often-recommended Tucks pads.
Wish Garden After Ease Tincture – Supports uterine contractions after birth. This is especially helpful if you’ve already had a child. I was happy I purchased this before birth, as I did not want to take other pain medications. This was a great natural alternative. It’s also sold in many natural food stores like Natural Grocers.
Peri Spray - We carefully crafted a natural botanical spray made with witch hazel and essential oils to help cool and provide relief to the tender perineal area. I was surprised at how much I liked using this after birth. It's the little things, mama. I also love the one from Earth Mama.
Peri Bottle - I didn’t think this was necessary because you can take one from the birth center/hospital, but having the one from Frida Mom that was inverted was really nice.
Herbs in Postpartum:
Mamas can take advantage of herbs as nutritives in helping rebuild her body after birth. Certain herbs as teas can be calming to a parent as they navigate the new waters of parenthood. Babies can benefit from nourishing breastmilk that come from an herbally balanced mamas.
Many herbs are mostly gentle in nature and can be used as daily tonics. Some need some more caution (especially if you have a diagnosed autoimmune condition or other illness). A breastfeeding mom also has to account for everything she ingests and how that can effect breastmilk production. Many herbs though, can illicit a similar response to an over the counter medication with a much safer profile.
I (Amy) do hold that most herbs can be safe, if used in the right way at the right times. With the help of an herbalist, things can be treated very successfully with herbs for mama and baby.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of recommended or avoidable herbs. Please use your noggin and always consult with a practitioner before using any new therapy.
We are only listing common herbs here, but we encourage if you are an avid herb user to research further.
Here are a few herbs that are wonderful to have in your apothecary for mama (as teas, tinctures, or glycerites).
Chamomile- calming, helps with pain
Echinacea- anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and pain-relieving, immune balancing
Lemon balm (use with caution if you have thyroid imbalace)- helps uterine pain, stress of parenthood
Ginger- asthma, nausea, poor circulation, coughs, poisoning, and pain
Nettle- nutritive for after birth, can help boost immune balance
Milky Oats- stabilizes, high magnesium, restorative, rejuvinating
Red Raspberry Leaf- helps balance hormones, uterine balancer
Rose hips-help with UTI, high in vitamin C, nutrititive
Common herbs to avoid:
Aloe- purgative/cathartic, excreted in breast milk
Basil- take caution with the essential oil, fresh herb in cooking is ok
Black Cohosh- can cause digestive tract irritation for baby
Borage- alkaloids excreted in breast milk
Cascara Sagrada bark- this laxative excreted in breast milk
Cinchona bark- potential toxicity to the infant, found in bitters
Comfrey leaf and root- alkaloids excreted in breast milk
Ephedra- stimulants excreted in breast milk
Goldenseal- may increase infant bilirubin levels
Kava Kava- passes into breast milk, central nervous system depressant
Licorice root- toxicity to the infant
Mints such as spearmint, peppermint (in large quantities these can reduce breastmilk)
Senna leaf- excreted in breast milk
Tobacco- excreted in breast milk
Wintergreen leaves- potential toxicity to the infant
Wormwood- strong parasitic herb, excreted in breast milk
