Natural remedies can be used during pregnancy and will safely
help you through times of discomfort. Using a natural remedy
should be your first choice before choosing an over-the-counter
drug. All over-the-counter drugs should be avoided while you are
pregnant. Most have not been proven safe for pregnancy and even
if they do claim to be safe, are you willing to take the risk?
When choosing to use a natural remedy be wise and study the
therapeutic effects of each herb. Use extra caution during your
first trimester. Your unborn baby is making tremendous growth
and changes during this time so it's best to avoid anything that
may interfere with this process. Also be familiar and aware of
the herbs that are known to cause uterine contractions as you
will want to avoid using these (unless you are more than 38
weeks pregnant).
Your body, while pregnant, is going through many metabolic
changes which may influence the herbs effects in your system.
Herbs that may have worked well for you while not pregnant may
not work as well for you while pregnant. The opposite could also
be true meaning your body may be extra sensitive and could be
overstimulated even by a normal dosage. Moderation is the key.
Start small and build up slowly.
The following is a list of some common discomforts of pregnancy
and the herbal remedies that have been proven helpful for
relieving that discomfort.
Nausea
Before getting out of bed in the morning munch on some protein
and carbohydrates like cheese and crackers to help bring up
your blood sugar levels. Eat plenty of protein rich foods all
day. Protein helps prevent blood sugar levels from dropping too
quickly which can cause nausea. Drink soothing herbal teas such
as Red Raspberry, Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Peppermint, Ginger and
Meadowsweet.
Constipation
Drink plenty of fresh water daily, at least 2 quarts! Eat lots
of whole grains, especially bran. Leave the skin on fruits and
vegetables. Avoid sugar, white flour and heavily processed foods.
Add psyllium seeds to your foods. Prunes and prune juice help to
relieve constipation and are also high in iron. Avoid supplements
that contain unnatural sources of iron such as ferrous fumerate.
Exercise is a must.
Heartburn
Eat smaller and more frequent meals instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
Chew food slowly to insure that plenty of digestive juices get
added. Sip warm milk or hot Peppermint tea. Yoghurt is also
helpful. Many women find relief from chewing several Papaya
tablets or try some candied Ginger. Sleeping in a propped up
position can also help. Chew some Anise seeds or make into a tea.
Headache
Be sure you are drinking plenty of water. Do not space your meals
too far apart. Put some Lavender essential oil in an oil burner
and burn while resting. Put your feet in hot water and put a cold
wash cloth on your forehead at the same time - helps to decrease
the pounding blood flow to the head and bring it to your
extremities. Get some fresh air. Drink soothing herb teas like
Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Meadowsweet and Peppermint. Get a neck and
shoulder massage using a massage oil that has Lavender or
Chamomile essential oil added to it.
Bleeding Gums
Increase your vitamin C supplements. Rinse mouth daily with 1 or
2 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract added to a cup of warm water.
Use a soft bristle toothbrush. Rinse mouth out daily with a mix
of tincture of Myrrh and water.
Hemorrhoids
Avoid developing constipation (see constipation section). Elevate
feet and relax pelvic floor while having a bowel movement. Kegels
can help to keep hemorrhoids from buldging (see kegel section).
Apply St.John's Wort oil directly to hemorrhoids. Also helpful is
to apply Witch Hazel - soak a cotton ball in Witch Hazel. Tuck
it in place and leave for 15-20 minutes.
Insomnia
Be sure to get fresh air daily and excercise daily. Take a hot
bath before retiring. Add lavender oil to the bath. Also put 1
or 2 drops (only) of lavender oil on pillow case to help you
relax and sleep. Avoid caffeine. Use pillows to prop your legs
up and support your belly while side-lying for more comfort. A
body pillow works great for this. Listen to a book on tape or
quiet music while laying in bed. Drink soothing teas such as
Lemon Balm, Hops, Chamomile, Passion Flower and Catnip.
Edema/Swelling
Eat lots of protein rich foods daily trying to get at least
75 grams of protein. Drink plenty of water. Salt your foods to
taste (do NOT avoid salt, as some believe). Sleep with legs
elevated and elevate legs often throughout the day. Avoid
restrictive clothing. Take liver strenghtening herbs such as
Dandelion and Milk Thistle and eat foods such as beets, beet
greens and artichokes.
Leg Cramps
Increase your calcium/magnesium supplements and possibly
potassium. Extra vitamin E is helpful, too. Eat plenty of
calcium rich foods, including dark, leafy green vegetables and
tofu. Exercise helps your circulation. When having a cramp,
stand and put the cramping leg behind you. Keeping your heel
touching the ground, bend forward to create a stretch down the
back of your calf muscle. Or while sitting, point your toes
towards your knees. Avoid chocolate - it reduces the bodies
absorption of calcium.
Yeast Infection
Avoid excessive sugar and refined flours. Eat cultured yogurt
products. Drink and also douche with liquid acidophilus (NOT the
milk with acidophilus added). Always wipe from front to back
after a bowel movement. Wear 100% cotton underwear. A very
effective natural remedy is boric acid. The boric acid remedy
can be found at http://www.naturalfamilyhome.com/communitymeds.html
Anemia
Eat plenty of iron rich foods daily. Apricots fresh or dried
are high in iron. Also prunes and prune juice and blackstrap
molasses. Liquid Chlorophyll can bring iron levels up very quickly.
Herbs good for anemia are Yellow Dock and Alfalfa. Regular
exercise helps also.
Kegels
Kegels are an important part of every pregnancy. The Kegel
exercise strengthens the pubococcygeal (pbc) muscle which holds
up your organs in the pelvic region. Exercising this muscle regularly
helps to prevent hemorrhoids, helps support your uterus and your
growing baby and also helps with labor, delivery and assists in
post partum recovery. You can locate the pbc muscle by trying to
stop the flow of urine while urinating. Exercise this muscle by
squeezing it as hard as you can, hold, then release. Do this 50 times
or more daily throughout your pregnancy and beyond!
(Please note: This article is for educational purposes only. It
is not intended to medically prescribe nor is it intended to
replace qualified medical healthcare.)
