The gentlebirth.org website is provided courtesy of
Ronnie Falcao, LM MS,
a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA
The gentlebirth.org website is provided courtesy of
Ronnie Falcao, LM MS,
a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA
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An interactive resource for moms on easy steps they can take to reduce exposure to chemical toxins during pregnancy. Other excellent resources about avoiding toxins during pregnancy These are easy to read and understand and are beautifully presented. |
My reference: The New Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman,
with
occasional reference to Hygeia:
A
Woman's Herbal by Jeannine
Parvati
Baker.
Squaw vine: Used by Native Americans and "among the best remedies for preparing the uterus and whole body for child birth". Recommended for use during the last few weeks before one's EDD. Also useful in the relief of painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea). When used in preparations for labor, combine with raspberry leaf.
False Unicorn root: Another native American herb and "one of the best tonics and strengtheners of the reproductive system that we have". Normalizes hormone function, can be used to prevent threatened miscarriage, and ease morning sickness vomiting. I am suspecting its use in PN-6 is related to its normalizing functions.
Lobelia Inflata: This anti-spasmodic is ideal for relaxing the uterine muscles that keep the cervix rigid. From King's American Dispensatory: "The powerfully relaxant properties of lobelia render it a very efficient agent in several conditions, whose chief feature is the spasmodic element. . . . Lobelia is of value in obstetrical practice. It powerfully subdues muscular rigidity. It is the remedy to overcome a rigid os uteri during parturition, and at the same time it relaxes the perineal tissues."
Black cohosh root: Used by Native Americans and "has a most powerful action as a relaxant and a normalizer on the female reproductive system". Also useful in dysmenorrhea relief. Its usefulness in labor is to "aid uterine activity whilst allaying nervousness". That said, this herb is known to have some sedative effects in addition to its effects as a general female tonic.
Start
Up (used during labor to induce and enhance birthing)
Ingredients: Pennyroyal, *Feverfew, Blue Cohosh, Black Cohosh and Beth Root. * ingredients are certified organic
Recommended Usage: Use: Contains herbs traditionally used during labor to induce and enhance the natural birth process. Use ½ teaspoon every two hours until results occur during labor. Same dosage may resume the following day.
As with all herbal preparations, this should be undertaken with supervision.
Pennyroyal herb: Strengthens uterine contractions! Eases flatulence! Similar, but stronger I think than black cohosh, it eases "spasmodic" (cramping) pain while promoting aforementioned contractions.
Feverfew: Strengthens the womb.
Blue Cohosh: Emmenagogue - promotes uterine contractions.
Black cohosh root: Used by Native Americans and "has a most powerful action as a relaxant and a normalizer on the female reproductive system". Also useful in dysmenorrhea relief. Its usefulness in labor is to "aid uterine activity whilst allaying nervousness". That said, this herb is known to have some sedative effects in addition to its effects as a general female tonic.
Beth
Root (also called Birth Root): Starts and strengthens
uterine conctractions.
Focuses energy into the pelvis.
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