Herbs for Pregnancy

Written By Elaine Sheff

Pregnancy is a truly amazing feat. The fact that we can grow another tiny human inside our bodies seems like a miracle to me. It takes a lot of resources, strength, and support to be pregnant. In a perfect world, every pregnant person should have many supports. I think of a village: friends, neighbors, medical professionals, family, and another category that might be less thought of: the more-than human world. This can include things like taking walks in nature, animal companions, and even medicinal and nutritive plants.

Who to trust?

When looking into herbs for pregnancy, different literature and sources can say various things – sometimes information is even contradictory. For instance, one source might say it’s fine to use ginger for morning sickness during pregnancy while another source describes it as an emmenagogue and advises us to avoid it. How can we find our own path through all of this confusion?

I often look at the source of the information – is it written by a knowledgeable herbalist, midwife, or naturopathic doctor? This is most likely solid information. Is it from an AI search? I wouldn’t trust it. Sometimes we might find old information such as using comfrey root for nursing, which we now know is a bad idea due to its high concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can cause liver damage.

As a rule of thumb, I generally look at a minimum of three reliable sources when I am researching an herb. Here are just a few of the reliable books out there:

  • The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Romm

  • Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susan Weed

  • Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Tori Hudson

  • Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Prenatal Nutrition by Lily Nichols

  • Herbal Support for Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Program

What to Consider:

As a practitioner, I consider many things about each individual. Is the person sensitive to medications or herbs? What was their reproductive history before pregnancy? Did they have reproductive health issues such as PMS, amenorrhea, irregular cycles, or fibroids, to name a few? By taking a detailed health history, I can look ahead at how I might best support someone through their pregnancy. How are they feeling now and what problems are likely to come up? I consider weak body systems and ask about common health issues that can occur in pregnancy such as varicose veins, immune system issues, herpes, anemia, high blood pressure, nausea, pain, urinary tract infections, and heartburn.

When using herbs, it’s also very helpful to know what trimester the person is in. The first trimester is the most likely for miscarriage and the one to be the most cautious with herbal remedies. I prefer to use only nutritive herbs such as raspberry and nettles teas. During the last trimester, especially the last 4 weeks, herbs can be helpful to prepare for labor.

General rules of thumb:

Dosage is very important. Use lower doses of herbs and always in moderation. Think back to our example of ginger. In higher doses, ginger is an emmenagogue and can encourage bleeding. In smaller doses, it’s good for nausea, morning sickness and can aid digestion.

Nesting is helpful. In truth, humans are animals. Having a safe place to grow a baby, give birth, and nourish a young one is extremely important. Where does the pregnant person live? Do they feel safe? Can they make a cozy, comfortable and safe environment?

Moderation in all things. Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Eat frequently and well with a focus on whole foods. Try to and have limited amounts of caffeine, carbonated beverages, and refined sugars. Drink plenty of water. Exercise but don’t overdo it. Try to keep stressors low and rest regularly.

Safe and Gentle Herbs for Pregnancy:

The below herbs are generally safe in pregnancy in moderate dosages. Nevertheless, I recommend asking your doctor before using any herb and using them only if you have a specific reason to do so. Although every herb has more than one medicinal action, I have broken them up into several broad categories:

Nutritive Herbs:

  • Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

  • Burdock (Arctium spp.)

  • Chickweed (Stellaria media)

  • Horsetail (Equisetum spp.) – use as a hot infusion only

  • Nettles (Urtica dioica)

  • Oat Seed and Straw (Avena spp.)

  • Rose Hips (Rosa spp.)

  • Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

Herbs to Support Digestion:

  • Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

  • Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)

  • Dandelion leaf and root (Taraxacum officinale)

  • Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

  • Flax seed (Linum usitatissimum) (Laxative -- use in moderation)

  • Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

  • Plantain (Plantago spp.)

  • Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)

  • Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

  • Spearmint (Mentha cardiaca)

Herbs for Stress and Relaxation:

  • Chamomile (Matricaria spp.)

  • Lavender (Lavendula spp.)

  • Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

  • Linden Flower (Tilia europaea)

  • Peach Leaf (Amygdalus persica)

Herbs for Urinary Health:

  • Cleavers (Galium aparine)

  • Cornsilk (Zea mays)

  • Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)

Herbs to Reduce Cramping:

  • Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium)

  • Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)

Herbs to Strengthen Reproductive Health:

  • Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

  • Mitchella (Mitchella repens) (also called Squaw Vine)

  • Raspberry leaf and fruit (Rubus spp.)

Supplements for Pregnancy:

  • Most of the nutrients below can be found in a good prenatal vitamin. I recommend taking a capsule as it’s easier to absorb. Because it’s better to take water soluble vitamins, such as Vitamin C and all the B’s, in lower doses throughout the day, I recommend a vitamin that has three daily servings.

  • Essential fatty acids such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) help to build the baby’s brain, eyes, and nervous system. Children will continue to benefit from DHA up until about 5 years old. 300 – 1000 mg / day

  • Folic Acid: 800 mcg / day

  • Calcium: 1000 mg / day

  • Iron: 30 mg / day

  • Homeopathics and flower essences are very safe throughout all stages of pregnancy and don’t interact with any medications.

Herbal Formulas for Pregnancy:

Below are some of the recipes that I have created, used, and teach in my pregnancy classes.

Pregnancy Tea:

• 1 part Raspberry (Rubus spp.)

• 1 part Nettles (Urtica dioica)

• 1 part Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

• 1 part Partridge berry (Mitchella repens)

• ½ part Burdock (Arctium lappa)

• ½ part Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Directions:

To make the tea, use 1/4 ounce by weight of the herb per cup of water. Boil the water and steep the herbs for 1/2-2 hours. Strain. Drink 1-3 cups a day. This is a gentle and safe nutritive tea.

Stretch Mark Butter

  • 4 ounces Cocoa butter

  • 2 ounces virgin Coconut oil

  • 2 ounces Calendula oil

  • 2 ounces Rosehip seed oil

  • 1 ounce unrefined Shea butter

  • 2 ounces Beeswax

  • 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

  • Optional Essential Oils:

    • 25 drops Lavender (Lavandula spp.) essential oil

    • 20 drops Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) essential oil

    • 20 drops Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil

Directions:

  1. In a double boiler, gently warm the cocoa butter, coconut oil, and beeswax until melted. Then add the calendula oil, shea butter, and rosehip seed oil, stirring occasionally to incorporate.

  2. Once fully melted, remove from heat.

  3. Stir in vitamin E oil and essential oils if desired.

  4. Pour into tins or jars, capping once cool.

  5. Label with name of balm and date made.

Labor Massage Oil:

  • 4 oz fixed oil

  • 4 drops Jasminum officinale (Jasmine)

  • 4 drops Citrus aurantium (Neroli)

  • 12 drops Lavandula spp. (Lavender)

  • 12 drops Salvia sclarea (Clary sage)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and use as a foot, back or abdominal rub during labor. Suggestion: before making (and before labor begins) ask the woman to smell all the oils to make sure she will enjoy them during labor.

Resources:

Elaine Sheff
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