Motherhood is a journey of exploring your values, role in society ( in and outside of motherhood), and learning life lessons along the way, all while raising and guiding a human being. Many mothers who being their wellness journey or even start a wellness business are inspired by this new role.
It's a natural ability within us to nurture ourselves and our loved ones with wholesome substances and practices.
Here, you'll learn about five herbs that are essential to begin your herbal stash as a mama (dad's you're welcome too, of course!)
Chamomile
I'm sure if you think of it you may just have a wave of relaxation come over you which is true about chamomile and that relaxation aspect of it really just embodies the energetics of the plant as a whole. It releases not only the emotional state of the body but also the physical, especially relating to the digestive tract which is crucial for postpartum healing.
This beautiful flower is also wonderful for your little ones, for example when they’ve begun teething you may infuse it into a tea or create a shelf-stable glycerite to keep on hand.
Cardamom
A cousin to ginger with similar attributes but calmer. In eastern cultures, it’s readily incorporated into foods and drinks. Cardamom has warming energetics that is soothing to the digestion system and offers immune support for little ones as well.
In a past herbal guide, we made herbal cough drops. Kids love anything that resembles candy! So making these doughy balls that support their bodies is a bonus!
For mama, cardamom also stimulates blood circulation which may benefit breastfeeding and increase pleasurable sex postpartum.
Mimosa
It originates in Asia and is readily used in TCM. Both the flower and the bark have their own respectable constituents and both offer benefits for the body.
For postpartum mothers, I’d suggest utilizing the flower, as it is a gentle medicine to support the ebbs and flow of emotion during this time.
It’s known as the happiness bark, rightfully so, as it rejuvenates the spirit.
Nettle leaf
Nettles is a powerful and nutritional plant. It’s stinging to the touch, but it’s soothing to the soul; even as it inflicts “pain” upon touch. Nettle leaf is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, A, most of the B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron, and more.
A group of researchers conducted a study to compare the proteins of nettle leaf, barley, and wheat and found that nettles have three times as much protein and as much as nine times more minerals compared to barley and wheat. [Adhikari, 2015]
Blue Vervain
Blue vervain is a galactagogue and nervous relaxant, catering to A-type personalities who need to relax. I’ll warn you, it is bitter so you may make a concentrated shot of tea, mix it with honey, or even take a bath in it.
Of these five herbs, which ones do you have on hand right now and what are you looking forward to adding to your apothecary?
May this information serve you. You may also watch it here:
References
Adhikari, B. M., Bajracharya, A., & Shrestha, A. K. (2015). Comparison of nutritional properties of Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) flour with wheat and barley flours. Food science & nutrition, 4(1), 119–124. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.259
