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NOURISHING, TONIC, AND ANTI-INFECTIVE HERBS Safe Use of Herbs After a Cesarean: Water-based infusions provide optimum benefit and greatest safety Capsules are most likely to cause ill-effects and odd reactions Avoid poisonous forms of herbs such as essential oils Use tinctures diluted to treat acute problems Herbs move rapidly into breast milk (10-20 minutes) Simple Nourishing Herbs for Mother and Child After a Cesarean: 1. Nourishing herbal infusions: Nettle (Urtica dioica) Oatstraw (Avena sativa) Comfrey leaf (Symphytum uplandica) Red clover (Trifolium pratense) Linden flowers (Tillia americana) 2. Benefits of nourishing herbal infusions after a cesarean: Nettle increases breast milk and helps replace blood loss. Oatstraw improves sleep and strengthens the nervous system. Comfrey leaf helps incisions heal and helps prevent scarring. Red clover improves breast milk production and brings hormonal sanity. Linden soothes and heals mucus surfaces and incisions; prevents colds. Tonic Herbs for Mother and Child After a Cesarean: 1. Water bases: Raspberry leaf (Rubus ideaus) to tonify uterus. Aromatic mints - rosemary, lavender, and lemon balm - for digestion. Avoid sage (Salvia officinalis) if breast feeding. 2. Tincture bases: Astragalus (A. membranaceous) strengthens immunity, prevents infection. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) to ease after-birth pain and prevent post-partum depression. Herbs That Can Counter Infection After a Cesarean: Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia) to increase macrophages; counter bacteria. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) against all gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Usnea (U. barbarata) to counter deep infection. Poke root (Phytolacca americana) - USE WITH CAUTION. THE EMPOWERED WOMAN PROMOTES HER OWN HEALTH Benefits to Being Pro-Active in Healing After a Cesarean: Quicker healing for mom. Less scarring of the incision site. Better bonding between mom and babe. Deeper sleep for mom and babe. Fewer problems with infection at incision site and fewer infections for baby. Bringing It Home: 1. Making nourishing infusions: One ounce stinging nettle, quart of boiling water; steep 4 hours - for energy. One ounce oatstraw, quart of boiling water; steep 4 hours - for patience. One ounce comfrey leaf, quart of boiling water, steep 4 hours, strain; rebrew with two cups cold water, bring to a boil; steep 4 hours, strain - to improve chances of a VBAC with next child. One ounce red clover blossom, quart of boiling water, steep 4 hours, strain - to prepare for the next pregnancy. One-half ounce linden flowers, quart of boiling water, steep 4 hours, strain; rebrew with two cups cold water, bring to a boil; steep 4 hours, strain. 2. Additions to infusions: Honey (Note: do not give honey to infants younger than 12 months.) Milk The Israeli Public Health Ministry recommends against soy beverage for children under the age of eighteen (18); it's not good for mom either. Ice Juice (Note: problems with fructose) 3. Sources for buying herbs and tinctures: Listed in my books and website. For Further Information: Visit www.susunweed.com Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, Ash Tree Publishing, Susun Weed Susun Weed PO Box 64 Woodstock , NY 12498 Fax: 1-845-246-8081
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