Being pregnant is a wondrous time in life. Both times I was so happy knowing this little miracle was growing inside of me. And I found that herbs can be a great support for little pregnancy issues, like nausea, fatigue or iron deficiency.  I remember being confused about all the information out there about herbs and their safety, and if you are reading this I am guessing you are the sort of person that loves natural remedies, but are unsure how to use them well. Keep reading below for my favorite recipe, the "safe herbs" list and how to use them.! Keep in mind, we are all different, so try to find out what your body responds well to.

Herbs have been used for the treatment of discomforts and common problems arising during pregnancy and childbirth dating at least back to ancient Egypt. Most of our knowledge about botanical use during pregnancy is based on historical, empirical, and observational evidence with some pharmacologic studies. So what I would like to do here is keep it very simple and only focus on the ones that are proven to be safe. 

Safe Pregnancy Herb List

So, here is my personal, SAFE Herbs list to go by. And these herbs have proven themselves to be helpful and delicious as well :

* peppermint leaf  {helpful in relieving nausea/morning sickness and flatulence}

* lemon balm {nausea/ indigestion}

* nettles {ease leg cramps, increase richness and amount of breastmilk}

* rose & rose hips {immune system boost}

* milky oats {iron deficiency, fatigue}

* skullcap {only during childbirth to ease anxiety for the laboring mother}

Energizing Pregnancy Elixir

Herbal remedies come in many other forms, for example, powders, tinctures, infusions, capsules, or tablets. A safe herbal remedy that is really good is called Floradix, a liquid iron formula combined with B vitamins. It is safe to use and is a great treatment for Iron deficiency and fatigue. As I am a big Tea fan and teas are simple and easy to make and all of the herbs above make a delicious daily beverage. But: my very favorite recipe for pregnancy is this deliciously energizing Elixir {starting second semester pregnancy}. I felt it kept me healthy and strong { & helping me with iron deficiency and nausea} throughout my 2nd and 3rd stage and…. it tastes amazing! 

Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoon fresh Organic Peppermint Leaf

2 tablespoon dried Organic Nettle Leaf

2 tablespoon dried Organic Oatstraw

2 tablespoon dried Organic Rose Petals 

3 tablespoons Organic Honey (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Pour 16 oz of hot water over the herbs. Stir and keep covered for one hour then strain. If you like to add honey for a sweeter touch (can’t do without it!) reheat and stir in honey until dissolved. Chill or cool to room temperature before proceeding.

Then poor into a quart jar, et Voila! Drink throughout the day. You could drink up to half of this elixir safely but one 12 ounce serving of the herbal infusion meets your recommended daily intake. And don’t forget to build it up slowly to let your body adjust to the daily intake.

Safety guidelines

During the first trimester I rather encourage to focus on hydration, fresh air, relaxation and nutrition. A little sunshine goes a long way and try to relax and trust that your body knows what it’s doing. You can then start introducing these “safe” herbs slowly, beginning in the 2nd trimester. Moderation is still key and find out what works for your body. Begin with a small quantity, gradually increasing dosage if appropriate for that specific herb, and if no adverse effects occur. Not everyone reacts the same. As digestion slows during pregnancy, substances tend to remain in the digestive tract longer, and their effects may be heightened and longer-lasting. The lowest effective dose is usually the best!