Midwife approved Herbal Pregnancy Tea

This is a tea to help improve and establish good enviroment for the baby during pregnancy and encourage a healthy labor, all of which I want. I take this about every other morning, but definately could everyday, just get lazy I guess. My midwife Stacia at Mother's Heart Midwifery sent me home with this wonderful tea and a cute little tea strainer for individual tea cups. (They really have come up with everything). I grab about a Tbsp of dry tea and submerge in a mug of hot water and steep for 7-10 minutes, then drink. It really tastes fantastic and for added health put in a little spoon of raw honey before drinking.



Ingredients: (all organic is best)

Oragnic Red Raspberry leaf  8 parts

 Alfalfa  3 parts

Peppermint leaf  3 parts

 Nettle leaf  2 parts

 

Keep reading if you are a book nerd like me and want all the details. 

 

 

The following information can be found at the Bulk Herb Store or at another really fantasic herb source Mountain Rose Herbs, and I trust both.

 

ALFALFA
Common Names: alfalfa, lucern, buffalo herb
Latin Name: Medicago sativa
Origin: USA
Short Description:
Alfalfa herb has been called the “king of plants” since it is extremely rich in vitamins and minerals. It has 8 essential amino acids and the highest chlorophyll content of any plant. Alfalfa is used as a base in many combinations and vitamin formulas because it permits rapid assimilation of plant elements. It is most popular as a blood purifier and as a cure for all inflammations, including rheumatism. Avoid while taking blood-thinning agents.

Excerpts from The How to Herb Book

The name alfalfa means "Father of all Foods." It has been called the king of plants because it is extremely rich in vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, potassium, silicon, and trace elements.

• A good source of carotene (Vitamin A) and a little known vitamin – Vitamin K, the blood clotting vitamin which has been known to help peptic ulcers.
• Has eight of the essential amino acids and the highest chlorophyll content of any plant. Note: Essential amino acids are not made by the body, but have to be supplied daily by our food or supplements.
• Permits rapid assimilation of plant elements; this is one of the reasons alfalfa is used as a base in many combinations and in vitamin formulas.
• Prevents tooth decay and helps rebuild decayed teeth, contains natural fluorides.

Alfalfa is an excellent herbal source of vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, and vitamin B-1.
Alfalfa herb is high or very high on the following nutrients:
-Cobalt
-Crude fiber
-Niacin
-Protein
-Riboflavin

NETTLE
Common Names : Nettle, stinging nettle, common nettle
Latin Name: Urtica dioica
Origin: Bulgaria

Excerpts from Nutritional Herbology

Extracts of nettle have been included in hair tonics for centuries due to its purported ability to stimulate hair growth. Like many bitter herbs, nettle is a blood purifier. Its long list of traditional uses can be summed up in its ability to increase the production of urine, its mild laxative effect and its ability to increase the efficiency of liver and kidney function. Besides these general effects, folk use points to the herb’s affinity for treating imbalances of the mucous membranes. It has traditionally been used to treat asthma, ulcers, bronchitis, jaundice, nephritis, hemorrhoids and spasmodic dysmenorrhea.
Contains bitter compounds that increase the flow of urine, are antiseptic, and relieve pains. It also contains astringent compounds that shrink inflamed tissues and stop bleeding. Nettle has been used to treat urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, inflammatory skin conditions, diarrhea, and asthma.

Primary Constituents:
Chlorophyll, in high yields... Nettles are a significant source of vitamin C and vitamin A, bio-available minerals, including calcium, silicon, and potassium chloride; protein, and dietary fiber.

RED RASPBERRY LEAF
Common Name: Red Raspberry Leaf
Latin Name: Rubus idaeus
Origin: Croatia
Red Raspberry Leaf is the herb of choice for pregnancy, and for women's health. Red Raspberry is not only great for mamas, it is wonderful for their whole family. It is filled with essential minerals and vitamins like magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, E, A and B complex. It also contains easily assimilated calcium and iron. Red Raspberry can make a real difference in your whole family’s health. Todays herbal market is flooded with Red Raspberry. The problem is, most of it is sprayed, irradiated, old, dried out and pour quality. We are proud to say that ours is not.

Red Raspberry is the best single herb that we can take for total uterine health. There is a long list of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that the uterus needs to work efficiently. Red Raspberry Leaf has virtually all of them. The most popular use for Red Raspberry Leaf Tea is for mama and baby’s health throughout pregnancy. It provides your uterus with a nourishing source of vitamins and minerals that are vital for a healthy pregnancy. Red Raspberry is also an excellent source of an alkaloid called fragrine, which tones the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself. This really helps to lower and sometimes eliminate cramps from the menstrual cycle and also makes for an easier birth. Red Raspberry leaves also contain many vitamins like vitamin C, E, A, B complex, and minerals like magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, silicon, sulfur, tannins, also easily assimilated calcium and iron.
The Uterus
The uterus is one of the most amazing organs in the female body. We ask our uterus to sit docile for decades, and then in 38 short weeks of pregnancy, it has to stretch to 10 times the size it has always been. It starts at the size of a tennis ball, and has to stretch to the size of a beach ball. WOW! The uterus adds around 2 pounds of muscle and process as much as one liter of blood per minute. When our baby is ready, we start to flood the uterus with hormones called prostaglandins, making the uterine muscle cells more sensitive to the hormone oxytocin, simultaneously softening the cervix. And then it is time; we start to sweat, scream, and even swear, that we can’t do it, and we are right. We can’t, but our uterus can. Relax and let your uterus do its work. The contractions start to pound the uterus, exerting as much as 43 pounds per square inch, contracting and retracting. Then, finally, in a beautiful moment we meet our little sweetheart. A healthy uterus gives you a healthy baby. So ladies, lets stop taking our uterus for granted and show it some love.
Calcium
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea is full of a naturally occurring calcium that is easily absorbed by the body. In the smooth muscle of the uterus, calcium controls the depolarization of the cells. That in turn, allows the uterine muscle to receive oxygen and work efficiently. In other words, without a sufficient supply of calcium, only part of the uterine muscle will work as it should. This will strain the rest of the uterine muscle beyond reason, generating heat and stress on an already taxed body.
Getting enough calcium also eases the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Calcium helps to regulate the hormones your body is flooded with every month. If your calcium supplies are adequate your body will not have to release as many of the hormones that cause PMS . Women who suffer from PMS have elevated levels of these hormones during their menstrual cycle, and the symptoms of PMS, like cramping, irritability, and depression are all very similar to other calcium-deficient symptoms.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps to control the frequency of contractions by mitigating the repolarization of the muscle cells and slowing down the absorption of certain hormones. It is also needed to metastasize calcium to your bones.
Seven years ago there was a flurry of warnings over the web not to use large amounts of red raspberry leaf(only European raspberry) during early pregnancy. I always take the safe road, so I cautioned pregnant ladies to only drink a cup or two a day of raspberry until they were 5 months along. Now trusted researchers go on record as saying that Raspberry is safe for pregnant women. Here are two sources that are respected and helpful. Debi Pearl
GrowingLife.com
AmericanPregnancy.org

PEPPERMINT LEAF
Common Names: Peppermint, balm mint, brandy mint
Latin Name: Mentha piperita
Origin: USA

Excerpts from The How to Herb Book

Peppermint is a delicious mild tea. It is wonderful to use as a beverage – hot in the winter and cold in the summer. Dieters, it contains no calories.

• One of the oldest and most popular remedies for simple colic and minor bloat in children and adults.
• Good for all digestive problems, helps stomach pain caused by indigestion and is soothing to the stomach.
• Expels stomach and colon gas.
• Excellent for fevers, flu, diarrhea, ulcers, and colitis.
• Strengthens nerves and heart muscles.
• Cleanses and tones the body.
• Can be used instead of aspirin for headaches.
• Can take the place of coffee for a stimulant.
• Promotes relaxation.

Peppermint is high or very high on the following nutrients:

Calcium	Iron
Magnesium	Niacin
Phosphorus	Potassium
Protein	Riboflavin
Thiamine	Vitamin A