Herbal medicine
Herbs are not only our first medicine; they are also the source for many things we need for our survival, including food, shelter, clothing and medicine, all of which reflect the profound relationship between humanity and the plant kingdom.
Herbal medicine, the peoples’ medicine!, is the oldest form of care we have : to nourish, support, help and heal our whole self and those we care for, from the incredible plants growing all around us.
But in the 21st century it seems that we have come a long way in achieving control and dominion over the unpredictable elements of nature, which in the past had such a determining influence over the daily course of our lives. One may even excuse our inadvertent arrogance each time we forget about the intimate role that plants play in our daily lives, which includes their serving as the basis for at least 25% of all pharmaceutical drugs. Of further thoughtful consideration is this: in a world which today seeks to lessen its dependence on petroleum, the remaining 75% of all pharmaceutical drugs are derived from petrochemicals.
The study and practise of medicinal herbalism combining Western, east Indian Ayurveda and traditional African and Chinese healing systems
Only in times of crisis are most of us reminded of the importance of being less dependent on highly industrialised, technological systems as our source for food and medicine. This is especially true if we realise the extent to which our food chain is compromised by the heavy-handed use of artificial fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified foods.
And as such in the west African they still believe strongly on herbs and trado medical care.but not quite long many are now beginning to crave after western artificial form of treatment.
In response to this state of affairs, many people consciously make the choice to assert their birthright to find out how herbs might serve their personal, family, and community health needs.
Although medicine has replaced most natural supplements with a synthetic substitute, there are many who still look to natural herbs and vitamins to provide essential nutrition to pregnant women as well as aid in the relief of some common discomforts. Here we can talk more about herbs and pregnancy and how they work together or not.
Many herbalists believe that herbs are often better, cheaper, and healthier than their medical counterparts. However, many medical professionals do not recommend herbal remedies for pregnant women, since safety has not been established through extensive research.
Unlike prescription drugs, natural herbs and vitamin supplements do not go through the same scrutiny and evaluation process by the FDA. As a result, the quality and strength of an herbal supplement can vary between two batches of the same product and between products from different manufacturers. Consumers have little way of knowing if a product will do what the label claims and how safe the product may be. Reliable information about the product may be hard to find, which makes researching these products’ effectiveness more challenging.
Herbs And Pregnancy Risks
Although herbs are natural, not all herbs are safe to take during pregnancy. The FDA urges pregnant women not to take any herbal products without talking to their health care provider first. Women are also urged to consult a trained and experienced herbalist (or other professional who is trained to work with herbs) if they want to take herbs during their pregnancies. Some herbal products may contain agents that are contraindicated in pregnancy.
Herbs may contain substances that can cause miscarriage, premature birth, uterine contractions, or injury to the foetus. Few studies have been done to measure the effects of various herbs on pregnant women or a developing foetus.
Caution on herbs, While Pregnant
Depending on the source, some information will list an herb as safe to consume during pregnancy, whereas another source may list the same herb as unsafe. Therefore, it is best to consult with your health care provider or someone trained in using herbs before taking any natural medicine or herb during pregnancy.
Some organisations that specialise in herbs have done extensive testing on their safety. Often these organisations will list herbs with their safety ratings for the general population and also safety during pregnancy and lactation. These ratings can often be confusing and hard to interpret; this is why speaking with a professional who is familiar with using herbs during pregnancy is recommended. One key thing when understanding the safety ratings is to pay attention to what type of use the rating is for.
For example, the rating for Rosemary is considered Likely Safe …when used orally in amounts typically found in foods. (Rosemary has a Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) status in the US.) But in pregnancy, Rosemary is considered Possibly Unsafe …when used orally in medicinal amounts. Rosemary might have uterine and menstrual flow stimulant effects; avoid using. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the topical use of rosemary during pregnancy.
This is a prime example of how the method of use of the herb changes its safety rating. We know that rosemary sprinkled in your tomato sauce is not a risk to you and your baby. If you were to use Rosemary in a large dose, like that used in medicinal amounts, it could be dangerous for your pregnancy. The same goes for herbs such as Garlic, Sage, Ginger and Turmeric. All of these herbs could be contraindicated in pregnancy when used in large or concentrated doses, but are considered safe when used in amounts found in food.
Recommended Herbs for Pregnancy
Depending on what type of health care provider you see, he/she may recommend using herbs to help promote the health of your pregnancy. Remember, never try to self dose or diagnose with any medications, including herbs. Because each pregnancy is different, with its own specific details, the best way to use herbs is under the care of a midwife, physician, herbalist, naturopathic or homoeopathic doctor.
Choosing to use herbs during pregnancy is a personal choice, but to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby, you should be well educated on the types of herbs, parts of the herb (root, leaf, etc…) and the way that they could be used (caplet, tonic, tea). The herbs that are considered safe to use during pregnancy are often food or tonic herbs. These often will be found in either tablet form, tea, or infusion form.
Common Herbs Used In Pregnancy
The following herbs have been rated Likely Safe or Possibly Safe for use during pregnancy:
Red Raspberry Leaf – Rich in iron, this herb has helped tone the uterus, increase milk production, decrease nausea, and ease labour pains. Some studies have even reported that using red raspberry leaf during pregnancy can reduce complications and the use of interventions during birth. You may see pregnancy teas that are made from red raspberry leaf to help promote uterine health during pregnancy. (Read about herbal teas for more information)
There is some controversy about whether this should be used throughout pregnancy or just in the second and third trimester, so many health care providers remain cautious and only recommend using it after the first trimester.
* Peppermint Leaf – Helpful in relieving nausea/morning sickness and flatulence
* Ginger root - Helps relieve nausea and vomiting – shop for tea
* Slippery Elm Bark - (when the inner bark is used orally in amounts used in foods) Used to help relieve nausea, heartburn, and vaginal irritations
* Oats & Oat Straw – Rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin – shop for tea.
* Dandelion – Rich in Vitamin A, calcium, and iron; dandelion root and leaf can also help relieve mild edema and nourish the liver
* Chamomile (German) - High in calcium and magnesium; also helps with sleeplessness and inflammation of joints
* Nettles (Stinging Nettles) – High in vitamins A, C, K , calcium, potassium, and iron. Used in many pregnancy teas because it is a great all around pregnancy tonic. Note on the safety of Nettles: Natural Medicines Database gives Nettles a rating of Likely Unsafe, even though it is used in countless pregnancy teas and recommended by most midwives and herbalists. This may be contingent upon which part of the Nettles plant is used (the root or the leaves) and how much is used. According to other sources, the use of Nettles is encouraged during pregnancy because of its health benefits.
Believe or not natural herbs still remain the best form of treatment and more so,the food we eat on a daily bases,no wonder our forefathers live healthy and strong even at their very old age age. hence we can still trace our step back to the days of our forefathers, for a better life.
Herbs are not only our first medicine; they are also the source for many things we need for our survival, including food, shelter, clothing and medicine, all of which reflect the profound relationship between humanity and the plant kingdom.
Herbal medicine, the peoples’ medicine!, is the oldest form of care we have : to nourish, support, help and heal our whole self and those we care for, from the incredible plants growing all around us.
But in the 21st century it seems that we have come a long way in achieving control and dominion over the unpredictable elements of nature, which in the past had such a determining influence over the daily course of our lives. One may even excuse our inadvertent arrogance each time we forget about the intimate role that plants play in our daily lives, which includes their serving as the basis for at least 25% of all pharmaceutical drugs. Of further thoughtful consideration is this: in a world which today seeks to lessen its dependence on petroleum, the remaining 75% of all pharmaceutical drugs are derived from petrochemicals.
The study and practise of medicinal herbalism combining Western, east Indian Ayurveda and traditional African and Chinese healing systems
Only in times of crisis are most of us reminded of the importance of being less dependent on highly industrialised, technological systems as our source for food and medicine. This is especially true if we realise the extent to which our food chain is compromised by the heavy-handed use of artificial fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified foods.
And as such in the west African they still believe strongly on herbs and trado medical care.but not quite long many are now beginning to crave after western artificial form of treatment.
In response to this state of affairs, many people consciously make the choice to assert their birthright to find out how herbs might serve their personal, family, and community health needs.
Although medicine has replaced most natural supplements with a synthetic substitute, there are many who still look to natural herbs and vitamins to provide essential nutrition to pregnant women as well as aid in the relief of some common discomforts. Here we can talk more about herbs and pregnancy and how they work together or not.
Many herbalists believe that herbs are often better, cheaper, and healthier than their medical counterparts. However, many medical professionals do not recommend herbal remedies for pregnant women, since safety has not been established through extensive research.
Unlike prescription drugs, natural herbs and vitamin supplements do not go through the same scrutiny and evaluation process by the FDA. As a result, the quality and strength of an herbal supplement can vary between two batches of the same product and between products from different manufacturers. Consumers have little way of knowing if a product will do what the label claims and how safe the product may be. Reliable information about the product may be hard to find, which makes researching these products’ effectiveness more challenging.
Herbs And Pregnancy Risks
Although herbs are natural, not all herbs are safe to take during pregnancy. The FDA urges pregnant women not to take any herbal products without talking to their health care provider first. Women are also urged to consult a trained and experienced herbalist (or other professional who is trained to work with herbs) if they want to take herbs during their pregnancies. Some herbal products may contain agents that are contraindicated in pregnancy.
Herbs may contain substances that can cause miscarriage, premature birth, uterine contractions, or injury to the foetus. Few studies have been done to measure the effects of various herbs on pregnant women or a developing foetus.
Caution on herbs, While Pregnant
Depending on the source, some information will list an herb as safe to consume during pregnancy, whereas another source may list the same herb as unsafe. Therefore, it is best to consult with your health care provider or someone trained in using herbs before taking any natural medicine or herb during pregnancy.
Some organisations that specialise in herbs have done extensive testing on their safety. Often these organisations will list herbs with their safety ratings for the general population and also safety during pregnancy and lactation. These ratings can often be confusing and hard to interpret; this is why speaking with a professional who is familiar with using herbs during pregnancy is recommended. One key thing when understanding the safety ratings is to pay attention to what type of use the rating is for.
For example, the rating for Rosemary is considered Likely Safe …when used orally in amounts typically found in foods. (Rosemary has a Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) status in the US.) But in pregnancy, Rosemary is considered Possibly Unsafe …when used orally in medicinal amounts. Rosemary might have uterine and menstrual flow stimulant effects; avoid using. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the topical use of rosemary during pregnancy.
This is a prime example of how the method of use of the herb changes its safety rating. We know that rosemary sprinkled in your tomato sauce is not a risk to you and your baby. If you were to use Rosemary in a large dose, like that used in medicinal amounts, it could be dangerous for your pregnancy. The same goes for herbs such as Garlic, Sage, Ginger and Turmeric. All of these herbs could be contraindicated in pregnancy when used in large or concentrated doses, but are considered safe when used in amounts found in food.
Recommended Herbs for Pregnancy
Depending on what type of health care provider you see, he/she may recommend using herbs to help promote the health of your pregnancy. Remember, never try to self dose or diagnose with any medications, including herbs. Because each pregnancy is different, with its own specific details, the best way to use herbs is under the care of a midwife, physician, herbalist, naturopathic or homoeopathic doctor.
Choosing to use herbs during pregnancy is a personal choice, but to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby, you should be well educated on the types of herbs, parts of the herb (root, leaf, etc…) and the way that they could be used (caplet, tonic, tea). The herbs that are considered safe to use during pregnancy are often food or tonic herbs. These often will be found in either tablet form, tea, or infusion form.
Common Herbs Used In Pregnancy
The following herbs have been rated Likely Safe or Possibly Safe for use during pregnancy:
Red Raspberry Leaf – Rich in iron, this herb has helped tone the uterus, increase milk production, decrease nausea, and ease labour pains. Some studies have even reported that using red raspberry leaf during pregnancy can reduce complications and the use of interventions during birth. You may see pregnancy teas that are made from red raspberry leaf to help promote uterine health during pregnancy. (Read about herbal teas for more information)
There is some controversy about whether this should be used throughout pregnancy or just in the second and third trimester, so many health care providers remain cautious and only recommend using it after the first trimester.
* Peppermint Leaf – Helpful in relieving nausea/morning sickness and flatulence
* Ginger root - Helps relieve nausea and vomiting – shop for tea
* Slippery Elm Bark - (when the inner bark is used orally in amounts used in foods) Used to help relieve nausea, heartburn, and vaginal irritations
* Oats & Oat Straw – Rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin – shop for tea.
* Dandelion – Rich in Vitamin A, calcium, and iron; dandelion root and leaf can also help relieve mild edema and nourish the liver
* Chamomile (German) - High in calcium and magnesium; also helps with sleeplessness and inflammation of joints
* Nettles (Stinging Nettles) – High in vitamins A, C, K , calcium, potassium, and iron. Used in many pregnancy teas because it is a great all around pregnancy tonic. Note on the safety of Nettles: Natural Medicines Database gives Nettles a rating of Likely Unsafe, even though it is used in countless pregnancy teas and recommended by most midwives and herbalists. This may be contingent upon which part of the Nettles plant is used (the root or the leaves) and how much is used. According to other sources, the use of Nettles is encouraged during pregnancy because of its health benefits.
Believe or not natural herbs still remain the best form of treatment and more so,the food we eat on a daily bases,no wonder our forefathers live healthy and strong even at their very old age age. hence we can still trace our step back to the days of our forefathers, for a better life.
