Herbs for your postpartum kitchen
milky oat, nettle, hibiscus and more
Back in 2021 I couldn’t work in the states due to my visa being processed, and so I decided it was the perfect time to do a few courses to learn about things that sparked my interests. Learning how to identify, use and create with herbs was at the top of my list after being introduced to Organic Olivia products through a friend. During and ever since completing my introductory course with The Herbal Academy I have used herbs almost daily.
Here is a collection of herbs that I love to consume and that would be perfect for your postpartum season. The beauty and mystery of the female form is that everything exists within a cycle, so when we nourish for postpartum, we also nourish for pre-conception and pregnancy and the same goes for the reverse. These herbs can be utilised at any point (pre-conception through to postpartum and beyond) but I would especially encourage you to lean on them during the more vulnerable postpartum months where it is so helpful to have the extra healing aid.
My favourite way to use all of the herbs mentioned below is in a sun tea or cold brew. A lot of these herbs contain so many minerals/vitamins that are extracted over longer brewing periods. There really is no wrong way to make a tea, just use however many herbs you feel like and if it turns out to be a stronger brew, you can water it down slightly or mix with some juice like tart cherry or cranberry.
Nettle
Nettles are probably one of my favourite herbs because they are an amazing all rounder, with such wide ranging benefits. Nettle is a uterine tonic and are nourishing to the whole body, but especially the kidneys and adrenals. It has a super high mineral content and contain a lot of chlorophyll, which makes it very healing for the hormonal system. Nettles contain nearly every vitamin and mineral that are necessary for human health, which is so wild. Known to support pain post birth and prevent excessive bleeding, due to vitamin k content. It can also promote the richness and volume of breast milk.
Red Raspberry Leaf
Red raspberry leaves are also a great uterine tonic, which are often used in a tea during the end of pregnancy to aid the body during birth. However, they are great to use to support the uterus as it contracts post-birth as well. RRL contains a large amount of calcium, along with magnesium and zinc.
Ginger
Fiery ginger is perfect to create warmth in the body and digestive system after birth. Keeping warm during the early postpartum days is so huge to support healing, and ginger is a beautiful way to do this from the inside out. Because ginger increases life force (chi in Chinese medicine) it can helpful to support tiredness.
Milky Oat
Milky Oat or Oat Tops are calming and nurturing for the nervous system. It can support the body during times of increased stress (pp being one due to all of the hormonal changes and adjusting to this new role!) to bring the body back into a grounded, nourished state. It is a beautiful all rounder that can be used throughout postpartum to provide vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Oatstraw
Oatstraw is another nervine herb, known to support the nervous system. It has a gentle, calming effect in the body. Milky Oat is thought to have a faster effect where Oatstraw’s benefits are best when it is used for a longer time period. It contains many minerals and vitamins that are nourishing for the whole system and is perfect for those who feel tired, depleted or someone who tends to lean on caffeine to feel energised.
Motherwort
Motherwort is known to ease the nervous system and relieve after birth pains. It is a ‘mothering’ herb known to support feelings of overwhelm when big emotions come up during this vulnerable time. It has an affinity for the heart and thus the emotions, especially grief and sadness.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is one that I love to include in any teas I make with the herbs mentioned above because it helps it taste so delicious. I am not one for bitter herbal tastes so I lean on the berry notes of hibiscus to drink my herbs. It is high in vitamin c which aids healing and is also essential for the assimilation of iron in the body. Often women can be diagnosed with iron deficiency during pregnancy, when actually they have enough iron in the body but not enough vitamin c to utilise it.
I am a believer that this season of motherhood is one that should be intentionally nourished from as many angles as possible. Deep rest, nutrient dense food and mineral rich beverages are powerful tools to support thriving in motherhood. Using herbs can be one way to increase the amount of nutrients consumed which can only benefit both mum and baby as they are learning and growing into this beautiful new relationship.
I hope this was helpful for your postpartum planning and even if you are not yet in this season of life, you can still lean on the support that these herbal allies can give!
Sending love,
Em x
I always buy bulk herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs and tinctures/tonics from Organic Olivia and Milk Moon. (I don’t receive anything from sharing these brands, I truly do love them. I think this is important to say when so much of what we read online is paid content!)