Herbalistmama's Pregnancy Tea

Birth outcomes are largely determined by pre-conception and pregnancy nutrition.  An essential component to mama and baby’s prenatal health, as well as mama’s postpartum recovery, is Pregnancy Tea.  Many variations of this tea exist, though all contain raspberry leaf and most contain similar herbs to my blend.  You can buy prepared bulk teas and bagged teas, or you can buy and mix your own herbs.  My version of pregnancy tea tea nourishes and tones the uterus, placenta, growing vascular system and baby, providing necessary nutrients to build and maintain the pregnant body and growing baby, and aids mama with relaxation and digestion.

To blend this tea, use the highest quality organic or wildcrafted herbs you can find.  You can make whatever volume of dry tea you desire, just follow the “part” proportions.  For prenatal consumption, drink one cup of tea daily for the first trimester, two cups for the second, three cups for the third.  For postpartum recovery, drink a minimum of one cup daily.  Serving size = 1 tsp. dry herbs to 1 cup.

Pregnancy Tea Recipe

2 parts red raspberry leaves
1 part alfalfa
1 part nettle
1 part oatstraw
½ part lemon balm
½ part peppermint
½ part spearmint
¼ part rose hips

Raspberry leaf is a traditional pregnancy tonic, known for its strong healing affect on the uterus.  It can help to remedy muscle cramps and morning sickness, as well as prevent miscarriage and false labor; raspberry leaf facilitates healthy birth and placental delivery.  When used after birth, raspberry leaf can reduce uterine swelling and minimize bleeding, as well as increase colostrum supply.  Nutritious as well, raspberry leaf contains vitamin B1 and E, selenium, potassium, magnesium and other minerals.

Alfalfa is a nutrient powerhouse high in folic acid, electrolytes, Vitamin A, C and K, betaine, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, and more!  Alfalfa aids in nutrient assimilation, and its high chlorophyl content treats anemia; the herb is beneficial for jaundice, fatigue and varicosities.

Nettle is an herb known by herbalists to improve nearly everything.  It can improve the body’s resistance to pollen and environmental contaminants, helping to regulate proper histamine responses.  Nettle tones nerves and veins, improving vascular elasticity; it is a blood builder and promotes circulation to the epidermis.  Nutritionally, nettle contains vitamins B, C, E, K and bioflavanoids (like quercitin, an excellent anti-inflammatory and toxin flusher), calcium, iron and silica, among others.

Lemon balm is known to be cleansing to the liver and is quite calming to the central nervous system.  It can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, regulate heart rhythms and treat myriad nerve maladies.  Lemon balm is a very safe herb, particularly suited to soothing young children, and nutritively contains vitamin C, calcium and magnesium.

Oatstraw is high in silica, helping to build tissue (particularly hair, nails, teeth, bones, skin).  It relaxes and strengthens the nervous system, builds blood, and supports vascular elasticity.  Oatstraw is known for having beneficial actions on the reproductive system (both male and female) and can help to facilitate childbirth recovery.  Known nutrients include beta carotene, B vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, silicon, zinc and lysine.

Mints are known for relaxing peripheral blood vessels and smoothing muscle spasms.  They are analgesic, helpful to head and lungs, and particularly suited at easing stomach and intestinal cramps and other bowel and stomach disorders (nausea, vomiting, etc.).  Peppermint is effective as an antibiotic against certain strains of strep and staph.  Spearmint is slightly less cooling than peppermint, and personal preference often determines how much of each mint is used in culinary applications.  Essential oil of spearmint is preferred by many midwives for treatment of morning sickness.  Mint nutrients include the B vitamins, beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, flavonoids (including rutin), and essential oils (including menthol and limonene).

Rose Hips contain flavonoids that strengthen capillaries.  This herb improves assimilation of vitamin C and is well suited to treating UTIs, varicosities, diarrhea bruising, exhaustion, colds and flu.  Rose hips contain carotenes, vitamins B1, B2, C, E, and K, flavonoids, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, silicon, and zinc, among other nutrients.