Hello Herb Lovers,

Recently a good friend of mine sprained her ankle very badly. To help ease her discomfort and speed healing I made some comfrey poultices she could apply to the affected area. Comfrey – Symphytum officinale L.- is a brilliantly useful herb to have in your garden. And yes, it can take over so watch where you plant it as you’ll NEVER get rid of it again.

Here is an excerpt from the Herbology Home Herbal – Practical A-Z Guide to Medicinal and Culinary Herbs for the Home….(dont look for it in the shops I am still writing it)….

Hello Herb Lovers, it’s FAQ time again!

Raspberry Leaf Tea is popular remedy for women, particularly when they are pregnant – unfortunately it is also a source of much confusion.

Hi there,

Thanks for your informative help in the past with regard to Raspberry
Leaf Tea, but the time has come to ask some very specific questions of
my favourite herbal resource!

I’m currently 35w +4 days pregnant and in the last couple of weeks have
sporadically been drinking one cup of Raspberry Leaf Tea a day. In
the last few days I’ve had some painful Braxton Hicks contractions
(I’ve been to the hospital for monitoring and an exam to confirm they
are not “real” labour).

My question is, would you recommend that I stop drinking the tea, in
an effort to stop “irritating” the uterus, or increase the dosage of
the tea to try to help tone the uterus and make the contractions less
painful? Also, could you advise herbal methods to help distract me
from the pain?

Thanks in advance for your advice,
Anxious

P.S. I noticed when shopping at the supermarket the other day,
Colgate have a “herbal” toothpaste on the shelves – right down the
bottom! Have you seen it?

Hello Anxious,

As you know, I am not a professional herbalist and as such can not recommend a particular course of action for your particular situation.

However, I can say that Braxton Hicks contractions are “practice contractions” that get the uterus into shape.  When I drank raspberry leaf tea in the last trimester (3 cups a day) I found that my uterus went into overdrive.

I would not have called it irritating but toning, after all that is what it is supposed to do.   Also, as you progress in pregnancy you will find that Braxton Hicks contractions not only become stronger but can also become quite ouchy. And that is without the aid of raspberry leaf.  I have never heard of raspberry leaf making labour less painful, just that it potentially makes it easier since the uterus is well toned. It also helps the uterus contract back to its original size a lot faster.

What you describe sounds very much like what the tea is supposed to do, but if you find that the sensation is too uncomfortable then there is no reason why you couldnt stop drinking it. My advice is ” the more you drink of it, the more you will feel it” so make your decision on quantity based on that bit of wisdom.

In regards to herbal distractions from the discomfort of heavy pregnancy….
Nothing beats relaxation. Your body is being overloaded in so many ways right now. All the muscles, tendons and ligaments are working in unusual conditions and therefore your whole body is out of whack.  A bath infused with relaxing herbs and salts is a must – as is massage.  Some pleasant oils in an oil burner while you elevate your feet and read a good book can ease a lot of the niggling side effects of impending motherhood.  Just make sure herbs or herbal extracts you are using are appropriate for this stage in pregnancy.

Indulging  in some herbal relaxation will also give you a great opportunity to listen to your body, have a bit of a chat to the new family member and spend some quite bonding time while getting in tune with your body. (Actually I dont see it as an indulgence at all, I see it as an essential part of a healthy and sane pregnancy)

This stage of pregnancy is a time where most women are “over it”….but it can be a great time for some introspection, a bit of pampering and getting your mind and body prepared for the wonderful experience ahead.

Thanks for the heads up about the herbal toothpaste .  I have not seen it but I will keep my eyes out next time I head to the supermarket.

I wish you and your family all the very best and a fantastic birth experience to come.
Stay herbal
AnkeB

Hello Herb Lovers, it’s FAQ time again!

Dear AnkeB,

I have a question for you – High Blood Pressure – what herbs can bring it down?

I have only once suffered high blood pressure and that was during my son’s pregnancy and now it has raised it ugly head again. As I am also suffering from gall bladder issues the doctor gave me only pain medication and told me to go home and rest and relax, to allow my blood pressure to return to normal. To which I have done almost to the letter, except for gardening. Today, although I feel calmer within, I still feel a little off-centre, a little dizziness when I get stand-up etc.

I was wondering what your thoughts are on, which herbs would be suitable to use to assist in lowering my blood pressure. I know garlic is good, but you know there is only so much garlic you can eat.

Regards Kelti

Hi Kelti, sorry to hear your health is giving you some unexpected trouble.

As usual, before I can answer your question, I have to point out that I am not a professional or in any way a qualified healer. What I know I have learned from knowledgeable people, books and experience. High blood pressure can be quite serious and needs to be checked out by a health professional. Seeing that you already have someone monitoring your situation and it is getting better, I might have come across a couple of options that can help you lower your blood pressure even more.

I’m not sure what herbal stores you have at home….but here are two possible recipes….a high blood pressure tea and a blood pressure lowering massage oil. (Courtesy of Kathi Keville’s Herbs for Health and Healing)

High Blood Pressure Tea
1 liter boiling water
1 teaspoon each of hawthorn berries and flowers, ginger root, valerian root and motherwort leaves.
Pour water over herbs and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and drink at least 2 cups a day.
You can also make these herbs into a tincture using the same proportions or you can look for commercial tinctures with similar herbs in them.

Blood Pressure Lowering Massage Oil
12 drops each orange and geranium essential oils
2 drops cinnamon essential oil
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
Combine all ingredients. Use as massage oil or add a teaspoon into your bath. Stir well before getting into tub.

In Germany doctors often prescribe valerian and hawthorn for high blood pressure. Also, as you already mentioned adding garlic to your meals (or in this case more garlic as I am sure you already take garlic) can lower your blood pressure for that day. Onion also, but to a lesser degree.

Of course no tea or coffee.. use green tea instead. Seaweed is good…salt is bad….

For relaxation…valerian, skullcap, motherwort, linden & lemon balm (the last two are my favs).
and sniffing an apple-cinnamon blend is supposed to also lower blood pressure (or orange blossom oil called neroli). The trusted book says that next time you find your pressure rising bite into an apple and peel some oranges

hope you find some help in there

All the best, hope you get better soon.

AnkeB

NOTE: If you are pregnant and suffer from high blood pressure DO NOT use the above remedies. Speak with your care provider……natural or otherwise…..before starting on a course of herbs.

Hello Herb Lovers,

I think it’s time I start publishing some of the Questions I receive from time to time.

Dear AnkeB,

I have recently found out I’m pregnant and am madly reading everything I can lay my hands on. I have read that Raspberry Leaf Tea is good for “toning” the uterus to help prepare for labour. I understand there is the tea form, and tablet form, and heard conflicting information about when to start taking it. Could you please shed some light on the difference between the tablets and tea, and when is best to take it/how much to take?

Have you tried using it? Did you think it helped you?

Thanks for you help,
One-day-just-got-a-lot-closer, the soon to be mummy.

Hello Soon-to-be-Mummy,

Congratulations! What a wonderful journey you have embarked upon.
Firstly, I do have to tell you that I am not a herbalist and I have no official qualifications whatsoever. I do however have a very good herbal library so I have done a little research for you.

Raspberry Leaf has been used by expectant mothers for centuries. Science hasn’t done all that much investigating although there was a study in 1941 which reported that in animals raspberry leaf had a relaxant effect on the uterus. Traditionally it is used to tone the uterus and promote general health in pregnant women. It has been used (often in conjunction with other herbs) to prevent miscarriages and to ease labour.

There are many herbalists who will happily have you drink the tea from day 1 of your pregnancy, keeping it to a low amount to start with. The dose then builds as your pregnancy progresses. Others wait until the magical 12 week mark. If you ask your midwife/obstetrician you will get other advice. In Europe raspberry leaf products are prescribed but here in Australia? – Not so much. The official advice given and often found on the packet of your raspberry leaf product, is that you are not advised to take it prior to your 3rd trimester. and the dosage at that time is approx 2 -3 cups a day.

In my pregnancies, I have taken the tea at various times. The 1st I took it all the way through. Starting with one weak cup a day until towards the end I was on 3 or 4 strong cups a day. 2nd pregnancy because of constant threats of early labour I did not take it until the 3rd trimester. And this pregnancy (oops did I forget to mention I am 23 weeks pregnant ?) because of my history I will do the same as in the 3rd.

Tea vs Tablets – I like the tea. Tablets in my mind have been processed so have a lot less of that naturalness I like. But, I am sure the active ingredient is still there so it is probably a better option for those who dont like the taste of herbal tea and who dont want to take the time to sit and drink it. But on the other hand, the dosage in tablets will be more accurate than the tea.

In my opinion, if you wish to start taking it early – check with a herbal professional that this is a good thing in your situation. If not then go with the official line of taking it in the 3rd trimester and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

I hope that this helps you and that your pregnancy will run a very uneventful course until the day of the main performance.

All the best and

Stay Herbal!