Many pregnant women swear by herbs, but always check with a physician
Even women basking in the glow of pregnancy will inevitably have to face some health side effects—many of which can be alleviated by safe herbal remedies that, furthermore, bear the stamp of approval from their female ancestors.
Many pregnant women swear by herbs, but always check with a physician
Women experience different issues during each of the three trimesters of pregnancy. First-trimester problems might include fatigue, nausea and morning sickness, hormonal changes, and constipation; the second trimester can bring leg cramps, varicose veins, backaches, and heartburn. During the fifth month, there may be signs of preeclampsia—high blood pressure and protein in the urine—which needs to be treated. By the third trimester, many earlier ill effects have passed, but there could be pressure on the bladder, frequent urination, backaches, hemorrhoids, shortness of breath, edema in the lower limbs, and Braxton Hicks contractions.
Other, more lasting side effects may be stretch marks on the abdomen and melasma, the “mask of pregnancy,” that causes darkened gray-brown patches on the face.
SAFE AND PROTECTED
Many anxious pregnant women are seeking low-impact, non-narcotic, nonaddictive health remedies that are unlikely to harm them or their babies; these include herbs and botanicals. Still, not all herbs have been thoroughly tested on pregnant women or their babies, so always check with a doctor before taking any herbs or supplements.
Morning Sickness: For starters, avoid fatty, greasy, salty, or strong-smelling foods. Take red raspberry to ease nausea; it is loaded with vital iron and can tone the uterus, increase milk production, and even decrease labor pains. Sliced or grated fresh ginger makes an excellent cure for morning sickness. Prepare a tea by steeping a tablespoon of ginger in hot water, and adding a bit of lemon. Peppermint leaf tea also relieves queasiness and gas. Most herbal teas help women stay hydrated after bouts of nausea.
Constipation/Bladder Issues: Treat constipation with flaxseed oil and by increasing your water intake; or try taking fenugreek, slippery elm, aloe vera juice, dandelion, and nettle. Frequent urination caused by bladder irritation can be relieved with saw palmetto extract, uva ursi in tea or capsule form, or corn silk extract or capsules.
GET IN THE KNOW
Mothers-to-be should have several diagnostic tests performed at specific stages. At week 20, an ultrasound is typically performed to measure and evaluate the baby and determine its sex; between weeks 26 and 28, women should be checked for signs of gestational diabetes. Older women with “geriatric” pregnancies may want to have amniocentesis performed between weeks 15 and 20 to check for chromosomal fetal abnormalities, but there is a roughly one in 100 risk of miscarriage to consider.
Edema: There is usually some swelling of the feet and ankles during the final trimester. Treat it by creating a relaxing footbath. Fill a basin with warm water and add 1/2 cup of Epsom salts and a few drops of herbal essential oils, relaxing lavender, aromatic rose, healing rosemary, or stimulating wintergreen.
Stress: During the nine months of gestation, it’s important for expectant women to avoid stress. Chamomile tea has been used for centuries to promote gentle relaxation, quell nausea, ease indigestion, and relieve insomnia. Also try lavender, rhodiola, ashwagandha, holy basil, and ginseng.
Stretch Marks and Melasma: Treat stretch marks with applications of aloe vera gel mixed with vitamin E oil, almond or coconut oil, or cocoa butter. Melasma patches can be lightened by combining ginseng with the Chinese herb gotu kola. Look for lotions or creams with active herbal ingredients that are known to inhibit melanin production—burdock root, mulberry, bearberry extract, Chinese sophora root, mushroom-based kojic acid; and Indian gooseberry. Gigawhite is a lightening agent that is a mix of herbs and plants that stop skin from producing melanin.
Indian gooseberry