Tea Formulas for Pregnancy, Birth & Milk Flow
Nourishment Tea:
This herbal formula is a nutrient supplement (iron, calcium, vitamins and trace minerals). You can mix the dried herbs in a big batch and have it on hand to drink throughout your second and third trimester of pregnancy and during labour. It is beneficial for postpartum as well as it helps with milk production.
2 parts red raspberry leaf
2 parts nettle leaf
1/2 part rose hips
1/2 part spearmint leaf
Mix all the herbs together and store in an air tight container store away from heat and light. To prepare your infusion, place a heaping 1/4 cup of the mixture in a quart size jar (I use a mason jar). Add boiling water to fill the jar, cover and let steep for a minimum of thirty minutes and a maximum of 2 hours. Strain, sweeten and drink one to four cups daily.
Labour Preparing Tea:
This herbal formula is used to drink one month before your due date. These herbs are used to prepare your body for birth and the labour process.
1 part squaw vine
1 part lady’s mantel
1 part black cohosh
1 part red raspberry leaf
1 part oatstraw
Mix all the herbs together and store in an air tight container away from heat or light. Place 1/8 cup of the mixture in a quart size mason jar. Add boiling water, cover and let steep for maximum thirty minutes. Strain, sweeten and drink one cup a day.
Nursing Tea:
1 part Blessed Thistle or Borage leaf
1 part Red Raspberry leaf or Nettle leaf
1 tsp Fennel or Anise seed
Mix all the herbs together and store in an air tight container away from heat or light. Drink this yummy tea 2-3 times a day to bring in your milk flow and keep it flowing.
Milk flowing Herbs:
Simple teas or infusions made of nourishing herbs such as:
comfrey, red raspberry leaf, nettles, alfalfa, red clover, Fennel, Anise seed, Borage leaf & Blessed thistle.
These herbs encourage a plentiful supply of breast milk and a relaxed healthy mother.
I would suggest to rotate them using one for a week so your body can receive all the benefits each one offers.
Or you can make your own blend experimenting with these different herbs.
Increase Milk Supply:
~ I would suggest using blessed thistle, but in a tincture form not as a tea.
Typical daily dosage would be up to 20 drops, two to four times daily. This herb is know to lift feelings of depression and maybe some postpartum feelings of hopelessness. This herb is famed for its ability to increase milk flow.
~ I have also known hops to help increase milk supply. It is also very helpful with insomnia and will seduce sleep. Also helpful with relieving after birth pains. Unfortunately the taste is not everyone’s cup of tea and the tincture is not known to be as effective.
~ Eating the fresh papaya fruit is know to increase milk flow.
~ Two other herbs that have been used are fennel and fenugreek to help with the flow of breast milk.
~ Eating Oatmeal helps bring in your milk supply as well. Oatmeal is high in iron, and since low iron can result in decreased milk supply, the thinking is that a boost in iron could do the opposite, and help increase it.
If you would like support in your upcoming birth or during postpartum. Please contact me for more information. I’m here for you!