TEAS FOR WOMEN

PREGNANCY TEA

Consisting of highly nutritive herbs useful for support throughout pregnancy, this tea encourages appetite, nourishes mother and baby, strengthens the body in preparation for labor and delivery, and helps to encourage the flow of mother's milk.

Four herbs combine to create an herbal foundation upon which to build a solid pregnancy:

RASPBERRY LEAF - Harmonizing to both pregnancy and delivery, it offers its strength to uterine function.  Raspberry leaf helps build and renew the tissue of the uterus thanks to its nutritive content.  A well-toned uterus may lessen the likelihood of miscarriage and hemorrhage, reduce the pain of labor, and allow for an easier delivery.  Morning sickness may be assuaged and lactation promoted by this herb.  Peter Holmes writes, "Raspberry leaf is one of the few botanicals that can be strongly recommended during the entire term of the pregnancy." 

ALFALFA HERB - Useful throughout pregnancy for its nutritive support, it is especially beneficial after 34 weeks for its ability to provide vitamin K to the baby.  Alfalfa leaf has the potential to increase weight and strength and to create a feeling of solidity.  Containing vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes allows it to aid in fortifying the mother's health and that of the baby.  Alfalfa leaf also helps promote lactation.

MELISSA HERB (LEMON BALM) - Another herb that supports the uterus, in turn supporting and enhancing labor and delivery.

NETTLE LEAF - Apart from its nutritive value, Nettle leaf is a hemostatic and astringent for hemorrhages.  Nettle leaf also helps promote lactation.

SOURCE:  Peter Holmes' The Energetics of Western Herbs

BOTANICAL SAFETY INFORMATION

Raspberry Leaf, Rubus idaeus, organic 

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Alfalfa Leaf, Medicago sativa, organic

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Melissa Herb (Lemon Balm), Melissa officinalis, organic

May affect thyroid hormone levels and inhibit binding of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to TSH receptors.  In large amounts, Melissa is a thyroxin inhibitor.  Avoid with Hashimoto thyroiditis and other hypothyroid conditions.  Large amounts of Melissa may be antagonistic to Synthroid and Levoxyl.

Nettle Leaf, Urtica dioica, organic

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

This product is certified organic.

 

CHILDBIRTH TEA

Childbirth Tea combines Raspberry Leaf and Squawvine Herb to create a tea that tones and prepares the uterus for labor and delivery.

RASPBERRY LEAF - may be used to offset morning sickness.  It is sweet, nutritive, and astringent, nourishing mother and baby and allowing for uterine toning. The toning of the uterus may help prevent miscarriage, lessen the likelihood of cervical tearing, and support a quick and healthy labor.  Raspberry leaf is said to ease postpartum pain, breast discomfort, and help enrich breast milk.

SQUAWVINE HERB - is an old Native American Indian medicine for the female.  It has the ability to support the pregnant woman by preparing her for labor and delivery.  Dilation may be quick and contractions strong and effective accompanied by less pain.  After the bearing of the child, Squawvine herb may help with postpartum depression and also has the ability to enhance lactation.

These herbs have a long history of supporting pregnancy, labor, delivery, the postpartum period, and lactation.  They have also been used to help conception.

SOURCE:  Matthew Woods' The Earthwise Herbal, A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants

BOTANICAL SAFETY INFORMATION

Raspberry Leaf, Rubus idaeus, organic

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Squawvine Herb, Mitchella repens, wild crafted

During pregnancy, use the tea or liquid extract only during the last 4 - 6 weeks of the pregnancy.  Standard dose is 2 cups of tea daily, or 20 - 30 drops of liquid extract in a cup of Raspberry leaf tea (or water) twice a day.

 

 NURSING - D TEA

Three herbs combine in this tea to relieve the infant suffering digestive discomfort in the form of gas, bloating, spasm, and pain.

FENNEL SEED - is a specific for colic in infants.  It has the ability to address weakness in digestion, gas and bloating, spasms, hiccups, and constipation.  

CATNIP LEAF & FLOWER - relaxes spasms of intestinal smooth muscle.  It is especially useful for the colicky infant who expresses his discomfort by drawing up his legs for relief.  Anxiety and pain in the stomach, gas and bloating, hiccups, and belching are addressed by Catnip leaf & flower.  One contraindication in the literature cautions extended use in children as creating an almost narcotic effect.

CHAMOMILE FLOWER (GERMAN) - may be useful for painful colic that produces whining.

SOURCE:  Matthew Woods' The Earthwise Herbal, A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants

BOTANICAL SAFETY INFORMATION

Fennel Seed, Foeniculum vulgare, organic

Avoid use of Fennel seed alcohol liquid extracts and Fennel seed essential oil during pregnancy or lactation.  Avoid if allergic to members of the Apiaceae family (carrot family).  Fennel seed might increase the risk of bleeding or bruising.  Avoid with bleeding disorders. Avoid with Cipro. Avoid with birth control pills. Avoid with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids. Avoid with Tamoxifen. Not for long-term use.

Catnip Leaf & Flower, Nepeta cataria, organic

Avoid during pregnancy.

Chamomile Flower (German), Matricaria recutita (M. chamomilla), organic

Avoid if allergic to members of the Asteraceae family (composites).  Avoid with blood thinning medication.  Co-administration of iron-fortified bread and Chamomile flower tea reduced absorption of the iron by 47%.  Use of Chamomile flower as a highly-concentrated hot tea is noted as emetic. One authority advises against daily use.

This product is certified organic.

 

NURSING-F TEA

For the woman who needs to increase her breast milk flow, eight herbs combine in this tea to offer support. 

ANISE SEED - "has a sweet, fragrant, mildly warm/spicy flavor."  It moistens, softens, warms, and nourishes.  Helping to generate fluids, it's useful for promoting the flow of breast milk.  It may also prevent colic in babies.

FENNEL SEED - is another sweet-tasting seed that can increase breast milk.

RASPBERRY LEAF - is sweet and nutritive, enriching breast milk and relieving breast discomfort.

BLESSED THISTLE - helps stimulate the flow of breast milk and restore energy to tired mothers.

DILL SEED - Just like its cousin, Fennel seed, Dill seed promotes lactation.

CINNAMON BARK - Sweet, warming, and nourishing, Cinnamon bark also helps increase breast milk.

LAVENDER FLOWER - may help the fatigued, overwrought, and overworked woman relax and find time to eat, sleep, and nourish herself.  What nourishes her, nourishes the baby.  Lavender flower may also help with colic.

BASIL LEAF (SWEET) - encourages breast milk production.

In her book The Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, Susun Weed provides the following recipe:

NURSING FORMULA

1 ounce dried Blessed Thistle Herb
1 ounce dried Raspberry Leaf or Nettle Leaf
1 tsp of any one of these seeds:  Anise, Cumin, Fennel, Caraway, Coriander, Dill
Place the leaves in a half-gallon jar and fill to the top with boiling water.  Cap tightly and let steep overnight.  Strain out the herbs and refrigerate liquid until needed. As you get ready to nurse, pour off one cupful of the brew and heat it nearly to the boil.  Pour it over a teaspoonful of any of the aromatic seeds.  Let it brew and cool for five more minutes before drinking.
Blessed Thistle Herb stimulates the milk flow and helps restore vitality to weary mothers.  Raspberry Leaf and Nettle Leaf supply vitamins and minerals, notably calcium, needed for plentiful lactation.  The aromatic seeds increase milk production and tone the digestive system; their powers are carried through the breast milk and into the child, curtailing colic and indigestion.  
This brew can be drunk freely, up to two quarts a day if you desire.

 

SOURCES:  Matthew Woods' The Earthwise Herbal, A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants; Matthew Woods' The Earthwise Herbal, A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants; Peter Holmes' The Energetics of Western Herbs

BOTANICAL SAFETY INFORMATION

Anise Seed, Pimpinella anisum, organic

Avoid during pregnancy.  Avoid if allergic to members of the Apiaceae family (carrot family).  May lower blood sugar.  Use with caution if diabetic and monitor blood sugar levels.  Avoid with birth control pills. Avoid with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids. Avoid with Tamoxifen. Not for long-term use.

Fennel Seed, Foeniculum vulgare, organic

Avoid use of Fennel seed alcohol liquid extracts and Fennel seed essential oil during pregnancy or lactation.  Avoid if allergic to members of the Apiaceae family (carrot family).  Fennel seed might increase the risk of bleeding or bruising.  Avoid with bleeding disorders. Avoid with Cipro. Avoid with birth control pills.  Avoid with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids. Avoid with Tamoxifen. Not for long-term use.

Raspberry Leaf, Rubus idaeus, organic 

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Blessed Thistle Herb, Cnicus benedictus, organic

Avoid if allergic to members of the Asteraceae family (composites).  Avoid during pregnancy. High doses (more than 5.0 grams per cup of tea) may irritate the stomach and cause vomiting.

Dill Seed, Anethum graveolens, organic

Avoid during pregnancy.  Avoid if allergic to members of the Apiaceae family (carrot family).  May lower blood sugar.  Use with caution if diabetic and monitor blood sugar levels.  May lower thyroid hormone levels.  Avoid with hypothyroidism.  Possible interaction with lithium.

Cinnamon Bark, Cinnamomum cassia, organic

Avoid during pregnancy. May lower blood sugar.  Use with caution if diabetic and monitor blood sugar levels. Not for long-term use; do not exceed recommended dose. Standard Dose: 2.0 to 4.0 grams of Cinnamon bark as tea.

Lavender Flower, Lavandula angustifolia / x intermedia, organic

Avoid during pregnancy.

Basil Leaf (Sweet), Ocimum basilicum, organic

Avoid during pregnancy.  May lower blood sugar.  Use with caution if diabetic and monitor blood sugar levels.  

This product is certified organic.

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