Plant Medicine: Postpartum
At Nourish, you know we're all about the postpartum love. A big part of our care involves plant medicine, and while there are many, many herbs that can help support a person after giving birth, in this article we're going to focus on the generous helpers we wind up bringing or recommending to almost everyone, at some point, in the first week of postpartum-midwife-home-visits.
PRO TIP: Gather these beautiful plants during pregnancy and show your loved ones how to use them before baby arrives.
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Heals wounds, anti-inflammatory, supports the immune system and lifts the spirits. Calendula-infused oil is given to our clients for use in daily breast massage, to help avoid mastitis.
Nettles
Urtica dioica
Will help you "build back your blood" (high in gentle, easy-to-digest iron), rich in vitamins and minerals, helps with energy, muscle discomfort, supports your kidneys, improves circulation, aids in tissue repair... we could go on and on. Often, we will arrive at a postpartum visit with a jar of nettles infusion in hand. We recommend a quart per day, especially in the first week, postpartum.
Milky Oats
Avena sativa
Loaded with vitamins and minerals, a gentle nervine and, as the name suggests, a wonderful galactagogue (meaning, this part of the oat plant helps you make milk). Plus, it's just fun to say the word milky.
Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
Motherwort helps maintain emotional balance. This plant can be a great friend and comfort as you navigate through postpartum and all the transitions it brings. Best taken as a tea or tincture.
Comfrey
Symphytum uplandicum
Leaf or root, comfrey is a marvelous "skin glue" and can help heal any abrasions that were created during birth. Use the plant material to make cold or hot packs and add comfrey infusions to your sitz baths, full baths and peri-bottle. For external use, only.
Rose
Wide variety.
The blooms are beautiful and bring a smile to the face. The scent of the oil is a mood lifter. Rose hips are rich in vitamin C. Roses promote uterine health. Place a single stem within eyesight of your resting spot, mix a drop or two of essential oil into some coconut oil for massage and, slip a few hips into your tea pot and a handful of petals into your vaginal steam.
