| Wise women believe that most of the problems | | | | however, counter the pain of pelvic dilation. |
| of pregnancy can be prevented by attention to | | | | Assisting in the production of plentiful breast milk: |
| nutrition. Morning sickness and mood swings are | | | | The high mineral content of Raspberry leaf assists |
| connected to low blood sugar; backaches and | | | | in milk production, but its astringency may counter |
| severe labor pains often result from insufficient | | | | that for some women. Providing a safe and |
| calcium; varicose veins, hemorrhoids, constipation, | | | | speedy parturition: Raspberry leaf works to |
| skin discoloration and anemia are evidence of lack | | | | encourage the uterus to let go and function |
| of specific nutrients; pre-eclampsia, the most | | | | without tension. It does not strengthen |
| severe problem of pregnancy, is a form of acute | | | | contractions, but does allow the contracting uterus |
| malnutrition. Excellent nutrition includes pure water, | | | | to work more effectively and so may make the |
| controlled breath, abundant light, loving and | | | | birth easier and faster. |
| respectful relationships, beauty and harmony in | | | | NETTLE LEAVES (Urtica Diotca)Less well known |
| daily life, joyous thoughts and vital | | | | as a pregnancy tonic but deserving a kinder |
| foodstuffs.During pregnancy nutrients are required | | | | reputation and use, Urtica is one of the finest |
| to create the cells needed to form two extra | | | | nourishing tonics known. It is reputed to have |
| pounds of uterine muscle, the nerves, bones, | | | | more chlorophyll than any other herb. The list of |
| organs, muscles, glands and skin of the fetus, | | | | vitamins and minerals in this herb includes nearly |
| several pounds of amniotic fluid, a placenta and a | | | | every one known to be necessary for human |
| 50 percent increase in blood volume. In addition, | | | | health and growth.Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, |
| extra kidney and liver cells are needed to process | | | | potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur are |
| the waste of two beings instead of one.Wild | | | | particularly abundant in nettles. The infusion is a |
| foods and organically grown produce, grains and | | | | dark green color approaching black. The taste is |
| herbs are the best source of vitamins, minerals | | | | deep and rich. If you are blessed with a nettle |
| and other nutrients needed during pregnancy. All | | | | patch near you, use the fresh plant as a pot herb |
| the better if the expectant mother can get out | | | | in the spring.Some pregnant women alternate |
| and gather her own herbs: stretching, bending, | | | | weeks of nettle and raspberry brews; others |
| breathing, moving, touching the earth, taking time | | | | drink raspberry until the last month and then |
| to talk with the plants and to open herself to their | | | | switch to nettles to ensure large amounts of |
| spiritual world.TONICS DURING PREGNANCYWise | | | | vitamin K in the blood before birth.The benefits of |
| women have recommended herbal tonics for | | | | drinking nettle infusion before and throughout |
| childbearing for thousands of years. These herbs | | | | pregnancy include the following: Aiding the kidneys: |
| are empirically safe and notably effective. Tonic | | | | Nettle infusions were instrumental in rebuilding the |
| herbs improve general health by balancing and | | | | kidneys of a woman who was told she would |
| sustaining energy flow and focus in the | | | | have to be put on a dialysis machine. Since the |
| body.Tonics allay annoyances and prevent major | | | | kidneys must cleanse 150 percent of the normal |
| problems. They can boost the supply of vital | | | | blood supply for most of the pregnancy, nettle's |
| minerals and vitamins, increase energy and | | | | ability to nourish and strengthen them is of major |
| improve uterine tone. Some uterine tonics are | | | | importance. Any accumulation of minerals in the |
| contraindicated during pregnancy or are restricted | | | | kidneys, such as gravel or stones, is gently |
| to the last few weeks of pregnancy.The tonics | | | | loosened, dissolved and eliminated by the |
| indicated for pregnancy need to be used regularly; | | | | consistent use of nettle infusions. Increasing |
| a tonic is to the cells much as exercise is to the | | | | fertility in women and men. Nourishing mother and |
| muscles: not much use when done erratically. Of | | | | fetus. Easing leg cramps and other spasms. |
| course even occasional use of tonics during | | | | Diminishing pain during and after birth: The high |
| pregnancy will be of benefit, since they do contain | | | | calcium content, which is readily assimilated, helps |
| nourishing factors. Better benefit will come from | | | | diminish muscle pains in the uterus, in the legs and |
| using them 5 times a week or more.Some simple | | | | elsewhere. Preventing hemorrhage after birth: |
| suggestions to get into the habit of using tonics: | | | | Nettle is a superb source of vitamin K, and |
| pregnant women could replace the morning cup of | | | | increases available hemoglobin, both of which |
| coffee with a rich Nettle infusion. Or she could | | | | decrease the likelihood of postpartum |
| brew up some raspberry leaf tea and put it in the | | | | hemorrhage. Fresh Nettle Juice, in teaspoon doses, |
| refrigerator to drink instead of soda, wine, or | | | | slows postpartum bleeding. Reducing hemorrhoids: |
| beer. Wild greens can be added to the diet. | | | | Nettle's mild astringency and general nourishing |
| Women in many cultures have used the following | | | | action tightens and strengthens blood vessels, |
| herbs for centuries to have a healthier | | | | helps maintain arterial elasticity and improves |
| pregnancy.RED RASPBERRY LEAVES (Rubus | | | | venous resilience. Increasing the richness and |
| spp.)Brewed as a tea or as an infusion, raspberry | | | | amount of breast milk.CALCIUMOf course calcium |
| is the best known, most widely used, and safest | | | | is a mineral, not an herbal tonic, but it is so |
| of all uterine and pregnancy tonic herbs. It | | | | important during pregnancy and throughout our |
| contains fragrine, an alkaloid that gives tone to | | | | woman lives that I consider it a tonic. Lack of |
| the muscles of the pelvic region, including the | | | | adequate calcium during pregnancy is associated |
| uterus itself.Most of the benefits ascribed to | | | | with muscle cramps, backache, high blood |
| regular use of Raspberry tea through pregnancy | | | | pressure, intense labor and afterbirth pains, |
| are traced to the nourishing source of vitamins | | | | osteoporosis, tooth problems, and |
| and minerals found in this plant and to the | | | | pre-eclampsia.Calcium assimilation is governed by |
| strengthening power of fragrine - an alkaloid which | | | | exercise, stress, acidity during digestion, availability |
| gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, | | | | of Vitamin C, A and especially D, and availability of |
| including the uterus itself. Of special note are the | | | | magnesium and phosphorous in the body and the |
| rich concentration of vitamin C, the presence of | | | | diet. Getting 1000 to 2000 mg of calcium every |
| vitamin E and the easily assimilated calcium and | | | | day is not hard with the help of Wise Woman |
| iron. Raspberry leaves also contain vitamins A and | | | | herbs: The best food sources of calcium are fish, |
| B complex and many minerals, including | | | | dairy products, but there is controversy about |
| phosphorous and potassium.The benefits of | | | | the assimilability of calcium from pasteurized, |
| drinking a raspberry leaf brew before and | | | | homogenized milk. My preferred food sources |
| throughout pregnancy include the following: | | | | include goat milk and goat cheese, salmon, |
| Increasing fertility in both men and women: | | | | sardines, mackerel, seaweed (especially kelp), |
| Raspberry leaf is an excellent fertility herb when | | | | sesame salt (gomasio), tahini and dark leafy |
| combined with Red Clover. Preventing miscarriage | | | | greens such as turnip tops, beet greens and kale. |
| and hemorrhage: Raspberry leaf tones the uterus | | | | There are roughly 2(X) grams of calcium in two |
| and helps prevent miscarriage and postpartum | | | | ounces of nuts (excluding peanuts), one ounce of |
| hemorrhage from a relaxed or atonic uterus. | | | | dried seaweed, two ounces of carob powder, one |
| Easing of morning sickness: Many attest to | | | | ounce of cheese, half a cup of cooked greens, |
| raspberry leaves' gentle relief of nausea and | | | | (kale, collards and especially dandelion), half a cup |
| stomach distress throughout pregnancy. Reducing | | | | of milk, three eggs, four ounces of fish, or one |
| pain during labor and after birth: By toning the | | | | tablespoon of molasses. Most wild greens are |
| muscles used during labor and delivery, Raspberry | | | | exceptionally rich in calcium and the factors |
| leaf eliminates many of the reasons for a painful | | | | needed for calcium absorption and use. |
| delivery and prolonged recovery. It does not, | | | | |