Not sure how to take Motherlove products* to increase your milk supply?  Here are our answers to some common questions:

How much of my Motherlove product should I take?

Liquid Extracts
Under 175 lbs: 1 ml – 4 times per day
Over 175 lbs: 2 mls – 3 times per day

Capsules
Under 175 lbs: 1 capsule 4 times per day
Over 175 lbs: 2 capsules 3 times per day

How should I take this product?

These products can be taken with a small amount (1-2 oz.) of liquid. For maximum effectiveness, avoid drinking liquids 15 minutes before or after each dosage.  Drinking more liquids than specified with each use may dilute the herbs in your system.

How long will my Motherlove product last at the suggested amounts?

This depends on dose and body weight.  Here is the approximate time each product size will last:

60 caps 10 days – 2 weeks
120 caps 20 days – 4 weeks
2 oz. 10 days – 2 weeks
4 oz. 20 days – 4 weeks
8 oz. 40 days – 8 weeks

How long should I use Motherlove liquid extracts or vegetarian capsules?

Each mother’s needs are different. Some women are able to use these products for a short time to increase their breast milk supply.  Other women, once their supply increases to the desired level, are able to decrease the amount or number of doses per day to maintain the desired supply of breast milk. Many women are able to stop taking the product altogether as their bodies are able to maintain an adequate milk supply. Some women may need to use Motherlove’s lactation products the entire time they are nursing to maintain their milk supply. We encourage women to use the amount that best meets their baby’s needs.

When should I expect to see an increase in milk supply?

Most women see an increase in breast milk supply with the More Milk Plus products within 1-2 days.  It does take longer – usually 2-3 weeks -  to see an effect when taking Goat’s Rue to support mammary tissue development.

What should I do if it is not working?

Be sure you are taking the correct amount for your body weight according to the suggested use on the label, as well as our recommendations above on water consumption.  There are certain herbs (including sage, parsley, and peppermint) and medications (such as over-the-counter decongestants) that can lower milk supply.  Try to avoid these while breastfeeding. Some lactation consultants also warn that some forms of hormonal birth control may lower breast milk supply.  It’s also possible that you would benefit more from a different Motherlove product.  As there can be many causes of low milk supply, we recommend working with a lactation consultant to help you with your particular breastfeeding situation.

*Not sure which Motherlove product is right for you?  Check out our guide to choosing the right Motherlove product for your needs.

There are many species of nettle, but stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is probably the best known.  It’s native to much of the world, and has long been used as to increase milk supply, as a food, and as a treatment for a variety of health problems.

Nettle has dark green serrated leaves and short hairs that cause burning and blistering when touched. It achieves this sting with hollow hairs which inject histamine and other chemicals when contacted.  It grows in moist soil, usually near streams and ditches.

Even though it may sting when gathered without gloves, stinging nettle is an excellent spring green in teas and meals.  As a food, nettle is a rich source of iron, calcium and folic acid, vitamin K, and supports the kidney and adrenals.  As a tea, it blends well with other herbs like mint and lemon balm, and its nutrients are important during pregnancy, so it’s a great one to drink when you’re expecting.  It makes a wonderful substitute for spinach in any dish, such as lasagna filling.  You’ll find some wonderful looking recipes online.  Cooking nettles removes the stinging chemicals from the plant; they should never be eaten before cooking.

Nettle is an herb worth using on a regular basis. This spring tonic is loaded with nutrition and strengthens many body systems. It’s used as a treatment for arthritis, anemia, skin problems, urinary tract infections, small kidney stones, hay fever symptoms, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and even as a hair rinse to control dandruff and make hair more glossy.

The German Commission E lists no contraindications, drug interactions, or side effects for nettle.  The American Herbal Products Association considers stinging nettle Class 1:  safe when used appropriately.

As a galactagogue, Nettle is most effective as a tincture, as the dried form is difficult to take in sufficient quantities.  Stinging Nettle is a herb included in many of our formulas, including More Milk Plus, More Milk Plus Alcohol Free, More Milk Plus Capsules, More Milk Special Blend, More Milk Special Blend Alcohol Free, More Milk Special Blend Capsules, More Milk, More Milk Two Alcohol Free.

Sources:  Wikipedia, The Nursing Mother’s Herbal.  Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

These formulas are carefully composed to address different causes of low milk supply and different situations.  They use combinations of herbs to balance and enhance their effects.

Which ones is right for you?  Here’s our guide to determining which Motherlove product will meet your needs:

My milk supply has dropped.  This may have happened because of a separation, illness, pumping, going back to work, or another reason.

We recommend our More Milk Plus formula.  It’s Motherlove’s most popular product, and the best-selling breastfeeding supplement in the US. It contains fenugreek, blessed thistle, nettle, and fennel seed. This combination helps most women increase their supply within 24-48 hours. Available in a grain alcohol or alcohol-free liquid extract; and as a liquid extract concentrate in vegetarian capsules. Not for use during pregnancy.

I need to increase milk supply, and I have PCOS, insufficient glandular tissue (breast hypoplasia), have had breast surgery, or am an adoptive mom:

We recommend our More Milk Special Blend formula, which contains the herbs in More Milk Plus blended with goat’s rue, an herb that helps to build mammary tissue. Specially-formulated at the request of lactation consultants, this product can help increase breast milk supply for women who have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), did not see an increase in breast size during pregnancy or have suspected or confirmed insufficient glandular tissue (breast hypoplasia), have had previous breast surgeries, or for adoptive mothers.  Increases in milk supply are seen after 2-3 weeks of use of this product.  Available in a grain alcohol or alcohol-free liquid extract and as a liquid extract concentrate in vegetarian capsules. This formula is not for use during pregnancy.

We also have a Goat’s Rue extract (single herb).  Goats rue is not contraindicated during pregnancy, as is fenugreek and blessed thistle, which are included in More Milk Special Blend.  Lactation consultants have used it in the last 2 weeks of pregnancy with women who know from previous pregnancies they have serious difficulty producing milk.  Available in a grain alcohol base, and as a liquid extract concentrate in vegetarian capsules. Discuss product use with a healthcare professional before using during pregnancy.

I need to increase milk supply, but I cannot take fenugreek:

We recommend our More Milk formula, which has blessed thistle, nettle and fennel but does not contain fenugreek for those who may be sensitive to its potential side effects (usually gastric upset that may occur in either mother or baby).  Not for use during pregnancy.

I’m pregnant and nursing, and need to increase my milk supply:

We recommend our More Milk Two formula, which contains raspberry leaf, nettle and alfalfa – a nourishing combination of herbs that is specially formulated to safely increase the breast milk supply of pregnant breastfeeding mothers. Alcohol-free and safe for use during pregnancy.

I prefer or need to take only Fenugreek, or that is what my lactation consultant recommended.

We recommend our Fenugreek extract. This single herb extract is most recommended by lactation consultants to quickly help increase breast milk supply. Available in an alcohol-free liquid extract. Not for use during pregnancy.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, great, cure, or prevent any disease.

• Blue cohosh and black cohosh are two herbs that work synergistically to bring on labor, but do not use them prior to 39 weeks of pregnancy.
  
• Raspberry leaf (tea or tincture) is one of the best uterine tonic herbs to prepare uterine muscles for an efficient labor. Its astringent action slows bleeding and helps to expel the placenta. Have the tea on hand or make raspberry tea ice cubes to suck on during labor.  It can also be taken in pregnancy to prepare uterine muscles for pregnancy.

Many herbs can help ease the pain of contractions:

• Crampbark tincture can be used for uterine cramping during labor, and after birth to eliminate after birth cramping pains.
• Scullcap and catnip relieve pain, as well as calm and relax the body.
• Chamomile helps control pain during labor by relieving tension.

Other herbs help with emotional balance during labor:

• Rescue Remedy, a Bach flower remedy, is excellent for bringing one quickly into focus when under stress or shock during a difficult labor. It can also be put on the baby’s forehead or wrist after a stressful birth.
• A massage oil, enhanced with herbs, will relax the muscles and ease back labor pain. Use relaxing, aromatic herbs such as chamomile, rose, and lavender. Rubbed on the perineum, it helps prevent tearing as the baby crowns and ease swelling and burning.
• Essential oils in a mister can give clarity and focus. Clary Sage gives a sense of well being and combats mental fatigue. During birth it helps focus breathing and calm anxiety. Geranium essential oil balances emotions and works well for perineal massage, as it stimulates circulation. Lavender is calming and strengthening, relieving depression and irritability. Citrus essential oils are clean, refreshing and uplifting. Be sure that essential oils are used in a carrier oil or mister and not applied directly to or on the skin.
• Shepherd’s Purse tincture is the best herb to quickly stop postpartum hemorrhaging. Every midwife should have it with her in case an emergency situation arises.  (You can read about how Motherlove founder Kathryn Higgins used this herb after her daughter’s birth here.)
• After the birth, use a sitz bath to soak the perineum, heal any tears, shrink swelling, and slow bleeding. It helps the perineum to heal quickly, and makes walking more comfortable. Herbs to use include yarrow, uva ursi, witch hazel, Shepherd’s Purse, and garlic.
• Fill a plastic squirt bottle with a strong herbal tea of these herbs – or use our sitz bath spray – to squirt on your perineum as you urinate to lessen any burning and heal tears.
• Homeopathic arnica pills, taken every few hours for several days after the birth, help reduce bruising and swelling of the perineal tissue. Be sure you are taking arnica internally only in homeopathic form, as arnica tincture prevents clotting and should not be taken internally.

See our Plants page for photos and more detailed information on several of these herbs.

* This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.  Please consult with your health care provider for medical advice related to any of these products. 

Alfalfa is a many-branched plant with square stems and leaves composed of three leaflets.  It has blue to purple flowers turn into spiral coiled seedpods.  Alfalfa grows to a height of up to three feet, and its deep taproot sometimes stretches more than 50 feet.  This root system  brings up many minerals, including trace minerals, from the soil, and also makes it drought resistant.  It’s a tough plant whose seed system allows it to re-grow many times after being grazed or harvested.

Its English name derives from an Arabic term for “fresh fodder,” and it has been cultivated by humans since at least the 4th century and used in herbal medicine for an estimated 1,500 years.  It’s used in agriculture as a forage crop for cattle and as hay, and in particular for high producing dairy cows due to its high protein content and highly digestible fiber.  It’s fed to dairy goats to help them produce more milk, as well.

Alfalfa is rich in chlorophyll and vitamin K, which promotes clotting.  It’s also high in protein, calcium, other minerals, and vitamins in the B group, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E.

The leaves and flowers make a mild tasting, nutritious tea that stimulates the appetite and aids digestion.  Alfalfa is used for a wide range of ailments including kidney conditions, bladder and prostate conditions, high cholesterol, asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.  The National Institutes of Health rates  it as “possibly effective” for lowering cholesterol.

Alfalfa is used commonly to increase breast milk, often in combination with fenugreek, marshmallow, and blessed thistle. Fenugreek and blessed thistle are contraindicated during pregnancy, but alfalfa is an herb that can be taken while pregnant.

According to The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk, alfalfa should not be taken by mothers who have lupus or other autoimmune diseases, as the L-canavanine contained in it may exacerbate symptoms. 

Alfalfa is an ingredient in our More Milk Two Alcohol Free, our breastfeeding product for women who are nursing a toddler while pregnant. The alfalfa used in Motherlove products is certified organic and thus not genetically modified.

Sources:  The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk, The Nursing Mother’s Herbal, Low Milk Supply, Medline Plus,  Wikipedia.  Image credit:  Wikimedia Commons

Tanya spoke with Lisa Marasco, co-author of The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk and expert on hormones and milk supply about PCOS, diabetes, thyroid, obesity, endocrine disruptors, and many other topics.  Lisa answered a number of reader questions, as well.

You can listen to this podcast using the player below, listen with Quicktime, or download it at our free iTunes store!

But first, what does this plant have to do with witches?  It’s likely an etymological mix-up, stemming from the Middle English term “wiche,” which means pliant or bendable and has nothing to do with witches.  Or perhaps the use of the branches of the plant as divining rods is related the name.

Witch hazel is a shrub or small tree growing in the rich soils of the eastern part of the United States.  The star shaped leaves become brilliant colors in the fall while the round fruits, which have projections, shoot their seeds several feet as they ripen.

Witch hazel leaves and bark contain astringent tannins which stop internal and external bleeding. Both the bark and leaves are used to treat hemorrhoids, varicose veins, swelling and bruises, and sore nipples. Internally it stops diarrhea, vaginal discharge and excess menses. Witch hazel is an ingredient found in eye drops and many skin ointments. It was used widely by Native Americans for medicinal purposes.

And of course it’s used widely after childbirth to soothe sore perineal muscles, reduce swelling, slow bleeding, and help ease the discomfort of hemorrhoids.  Used in a bath, as a spray directly on tissues or on a pad, or as a balm on hemorrhoids, it’s an effective herbal remedy recommended by moms and doctors alike.

Witch Hazel is a key ingredient in our Rhoid Balm, Sitz Bath, Sitzbath Spray, and Sitz Bath Concentrate.

Image credit:  Wikimedia Commons

But there are some herbs which are healing when used externally, but are not safe for ingestion.  One such herb is Comfrey.

We often hear from mothers who have questions and concerns about the use of comfrey in breast compresses and nipple creams, so we thought we’d share this information to clear up some of the confusion.

Comfrey is an herb recognized for its value as both a fertilizer and a healing herb.  It’s native to Europe, grows in damp, grassy locations, and has a bell shaped flower often in a blue or purple color.

Comfrey has long been valued for its ability to reduce skin inflammation.  It is also thought to stimulate cell growth and repair.  One of Comfrey’s nicknames is “knitbone” because it was traditionally used to aid the healing of bone fractures.

While healing when used externally, Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can cause veno-occlusive disease if used internally.

The Botanical Safety Handbook, published by the American Herbal Products Association, classifies Comfrey as Class 2a – for external use only, Class – 2b not to be used [internally] while pregnant and Class 2c not to be used [internally] while nursing (parentheses ours, for clarification).  In 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration advised makers of dietary supplements containing Comfrey to remove their products from the market and label products that contain Comfrey ‘for external use only.’

Comfrey has great value as a healing herb, but should not be included in any product that could possibly be ingested by a baby.

Image credit:  Wikimedia Commons

You’ll want to listen to our latest podcast on Maya Abdominal Therapy.

Tanya spoke with Catherine Gregory, a certified practitioner of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy.  She explained the origins of the therapy, how it can help women for anything from infertility, to painful menstruation, to incontinence and digestion.  She explained what it’s like to have the therapy, how women can learn to do it for themselves, and how to find a certified practitioner.

You can listen to the podcast with the player below, with Quicktime, or by downloading it from our free iTunes store.

If so, you know that they can be painful and frustrating.  So we thought we’d share some of our favorite herbal remedies* to support the quick resolution of plugged ducts.

But before we do, here are the basic recommendations for resolving plugged ducts:

• Empty the affected breast frequently by nursing.  If it is too painful to nurse, pump or express milk by hand while in a warm shower or tub, or hang your breast over the sink and run water over it as you gently massage toward the nipple.
• Feed on affected side first.
• Massage your breast gently toward the nipple while nursing.
• Try different nursing positions, including (as funny as it sounds) a “dangling” position over the baby.
• Check to see if there is an obstruction to milk flow at the nipple.  A bleb (milk blister) or a plugged nipple pore can prevent milk from flowing.
• Apply heat and/or cold.  Try heat before nursing or expressing, and cold in between to reduce inflammation. Warm, moist heat applied with a compress, a “rice sock,” or hot water bottle will help unplug the ducts, and cold from an ice pack or frozen peas will ease swelling.
• Make sure your bra , clothing, or pressure from your hand is not causing a restriction in milk flow, and see this list of other causes of plugged ducts.
• Rest, to help your body prevent a plugged area from developing into an infection.
• If you have fever, chills, red streaks on the breast, or extra fatigue you may have a breast infection (mastitis).  The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recommends:  “If symptoms of mastitis are mild and have been present for less than 24 hours, conservative management (effective milk removal and supportive measures) may be sufficient.  If symptoms are not improving within 12–24 hours or if the woman is acutely ill, antibiotics should be started.”

Here are some ways herbal care can help to resolve plugged ducts.  Use herbs in addition to, but not as a replacement for, the measures described above.

• Make an herbal breast compress.  Herbs that work well in a breast compress are anti-inflammatory and reduce swelling (comfrey, chamomile, calendula, lavender), increase lymph circulation and drainage (cleavers, burdock root, yarrow), and draw out infection (slippery elm, marshmallow root).  Mullein leaf relieves pain. Pour boiling water over the herbs and steep 10-15 minutes.  When cool enough to touch, apply herbs as a poultice, or dip a cotton cloth in the warm infusion, wring it out and wrap around the breast and under the armpit.  Keep the poultice on until it cools.  Reapply throughout the day.  If infection is present, a clean poultice or cloth should be used every time.
• Try a grated potato on the breast to draw out inflammation. It can be mixed with hot water or applied cold, whichever feels better.
• The Nursing Mother’s Herbal recommends adding oats, marsmallow root, or fenugreek to a warm massage bath – enough to make the water “slippery.”  This will help reduce friction on the skin when massaging the breast.
• A home remedy that has been used successfully to unplug ducts is to drink a small amount of undiluted apple cider vinegar.
• For frequently recurring plugged ducts, some recommend a supplement of soy lecithin.  The Nursing Mother’s Herbal also recommends reducing saturated fats in your diet and increasing consumption of unsaturated fats such as olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids.
• If the plugged area progresses into an infection, there are additional herbal care remedies for mastitis.

*This information is provided for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.  See your health care provider for medical advice on this topic.

Today, we’re focusing on a versatile herb that features in a number of our products:  fennel.

You may know from eating the plant in a salad or garnish that fennel is a licorice flavored, feathery, aromatic herb. It grows to be several feet tall with umbels of small, yellow flowers that look very similar to a dill plant.  Its name derives from a Latin word for hay.

Fennel has many uses, from the culinary to the medicinal.  It features prominently in Mediterranean cuisine, used as a spice, eaten raw, cooked as a side dish, used in pasta and risottos, and used in vegetable and meat dishes, among other uses.

Its medicinal uses are similarly varied.  Fennel was found by the German Commission E to relieve mild indigestion and coughs.  The seeds can be chewed to sweeten breath and help a toothache, and a gargle will relieve a sore throat. Fennel is sometimes used as a colic remedy.  It’s even used as flavoring in some natural toothpastes.  You may have also seen fennel seeds offered as you leave Indian restaurants to help with digestion.

Fennel has been used for centuries to increase breast milk production, and it’s an ingredient in a number of our products, including: More Milk Plus, More Milk Plus Alcohol Free, More Milk Plus Capsules, More Milk Special Blend, More Milk Special Blend Alcohol Free, More Milk Special Blend Capsules, and More Milk.  We do not use fennel oil, but instead the whole seed extract in our products.

To prepare fennel tea, The Nursing Mother’s Herbal recommends combining 1-3 teaspoons of freshly crushed seeds with 8 ounces of boiling water, covering, and steeping for 10-20 minutes.  It can be drunk up to 5-6 times per day.  You can also use fennel in a compress to relieve swollen, tender breasts by putting crushed seeds in hot water.

The essential oil of fennel is not recommended for use during pregnancy or with infants and small children.  There are no known drug interactions with fennel.

Sources:  The Nursing Mother’s Herbal, Lowmilksupply.org, Wikipedia.  Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

This information is provided for educational purposes only, and should not to be construed as medical advice.  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

Experiencing morning sickness, or dreading it?  You’re not alone: more than half all pregnant women experience nausea in the first trimester of pregnancy. 

Here’s our guide* to using herbs, nutrition, and other therapies to manage nausea during pregnancy.

What causes morning sickness?

Morning sickness is caused by the rapid change in hormonal levels that occurs during the first weeks of pregnancy.  This change often results in nausea.  There are a some women who never feel any morning sickness at all, and most women begin to feel better at the beginning of the second trimester.  If you have severe and/or long-term nausea, if it’s accompanied by fever or pain, or it it continues well into the second trimester, be sure to consult your health care provider.

What can I do? 

Herbs: The following herbs are recommended if experiencing morning sickness.

• Ginger: recommended for both morning sickness and sea sickness. Drink ginger tea or “ginger beer,” or take ginger capsules (ginger tea with milk and honey will also help raise blood sugar.) Note: do not use excessive amounts of ginger.
• Raspberry and mint tea
• Slippery elm: made into a nutritious gruel, is easily digested. You can also buy slippery elm lozenges to suck on.
• Peach leaf tea
• Wild yam root tea or tincture in water
• Sucking on ice cubes made with any of these teas throughout the day may feel better than drinking cups of tea.

Nutrition: Eat small frequent meals with complex carbohydrates. Avoid high fat and junk foods. Eat a protein rich snack before you go to bed. Low blood sugar in the morning can cause morning sickness, so eat something before you get out of bed. Drink plenty of liquids and remember that it may be easier to drink a nutritious broth for some of your meals. Take B complex vitamins, especially vitamin B6.

Homeopathy: Natural Healing For the Pregnant Woman by Elizabeth Burch, lists many symptoms of nausea along with specific remedies for each. Common remedies for nausea include ipecac, sepia, nux vomica, and arsenicum. Only take these remedies in a homeopathic form, and consult a homeopathic practitioner for a personalized care plan.

Flower Essences: Flower essences work on the emotions. They are made by placing flowers in a clear bowl filled with spring water, and infusing them in sunlight for several hours. The finished water is usually preserved with brandy or some other type of alcohol. Bach flower essences are probably best known because of Edward Bach’s work in discovering their use on healing emotions. Mimulus and Scleranthus are two flower essences used for morning sickness.

Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy involves using a plant’s essential oils. These oils are normally very strong, and should not be taken internally without supervision. Oils can simply be sniffed or used in a spritzer to relieve nausea, stress or headaches.  Drops can be put on a handkerchief to inhale and use as a compress. Add a few drops of your favorite scent to a massage oil. Citrus smells help relax queasiness, so it may also be helpful to smell lemon slices.

Acupressure: Acupressure works by stimulating the energy meridians of the body, thus alleviating stress, increasing circulation, and relieving nausea and headaches. The acupressure points that control nausea are on the wrist crease, in line with the little finger, and in the hollow between the collarbones. Press and rub on these points throughout the day. Acupressure wrist bands are available in most drug stores for dealing with nausea and sea sickness.

Relaxation: Fears or apprehensions you may have of parenthood can cause stress. There are many ways to relieve this and other types of stress, so take the time to find those that work best for you. Quiet time alone, reading, and exercise can help. Fresh air also does wonders to relieve nausea, so get outside and breathe or keep the windows open to encourage air circulation. Daily meditation is very helpful — bring your focus to a place of calm and centeredness, repeating “I am peace.” Lay comfortably on the floor or bed and release any tension you have in your body. Start at your feet and work your way up your body, tensing and releasing all your muscle tension. Be sure to release all that you are holding onto in your belly. There are also relaxation and meditation tapes and digital recordings available for purchase.

Visualization: Is there anything in your life that is making you “sick to your stomach?” Visualize yourself moving through it and letting go. See yourself as the radiantly healthy being that you are, creating a perfect vehicle for the soul that has chosen you to be its mother. You are part of a miracle!

More Information:

• Natural Healing For the Pregnant Woman by Elizabeth Burch
• The Natural Pregnancy Book, by Aviva Jill Romm
• The Whole Pregnancy Handbook, by Joel Evans
• Mothering.com:  Natural Remedies for Morning Sickness
• About.com Alternative Medicine:  Natural Morning Sickness Remedies
• American Pregnancy Association:  Morning Sickness

*This information is presented for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.  Consult your health care provider for care appropriate to your needs.

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious about the many responsibilities of having a newborn.  Feelings of fatigue, crying, insomnia, anger, feelings of being alone, and the inability to concentrate are all typical of the “Baby Blues.”   They’re usually short-lived, lasting for a few weeks.

But if these or other bad feelings continue, or are more severe at any point after having a baby, you may have a postpartum mood or anxiety disorder, and it’s important to seek help from your health care provider.

Not sure if what you’re experiencing is the  Baby Blues or something more serious?  See Postpartum Support International’s screening tools.  And see our interview with the co-founder of Motherwoman for more on the postpartum emotional spectrum and where to turn for help.

Which herbs and supplements can help?

There are many ways to treat postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, including therapy, support groups, medications (see our podcast on anti-depressants and breastfeeding), rest, acupuncture, nutrition, help with domestic responsibilities, socializing with family and friends, and exercise.  In this post we’ll focus on herbals and supplements to combat these disorders.

Herbs:   Note:  If you are taking an anti-depressant or other prescription medications, be sure to discuss herbal use with your physician to prevent interactions.

• Vitex helps stimulate progesterone production and balance the hormonal cycle.
• Motherwort and lemon balm can help with mood swings and emotional balance.
• Scullcap, oats, and chamomile are tonic herbs for nerves and stress.
• St. John’s wort (discuss with your physician about interactions with other medications)
• A Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner may be able to recommend additional herbs.

Supplements:

• Omega 3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, reduce inflammation and have been shown effective at preventing and treating depression.  See Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett’s resources for brands and dosages.
• Vitamin D or light therapy.  See our podcast on Vitamin D and breastfeeding.
• Calcium and magnesium
• Folic acid through diet or in a vitamin

Aromatherapy: The smell of clary sage, sandalwood, and citrus uplifts the spirits, so use these essences in a massage oil, bath, or sleep pillow. Put drops on a handkerchief to sniff throughout the day. Aromatherapy inhalers and spritzers are available at natural food stores.

Bach Flower Essences:

• Gorse for discouragement and despondency
• Mustard for deep gloom for no reason
• Sweet Chestnut for mental anguish, hopeless despair, sorrow, exhaustion, loneliness

Additional Resources:  Please see Postpartum Support International’s resource page for a list of additional sources of support, and this handout from Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett for a list of non-medication treatments.

This information is provided for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.  Please see your health care provider for medical care suited to your needs.

Several herbs used safely used by women for generations are an excellent source for the increased vitamins and minerals needed during pregnancy, and to prepare your the uterus for labor.

These herbs can easily be made into teas and incorporated into meals on a regular basis. Every person is different, and your body may react differently now to foods than it did previously, but used wisely and in moderation, these herbs make wonderful teas and foods.

• Raspberry leaf is best known for strengthening the uterine muscles so they work more efficiently during labor. Drink raspberry leaf tea, with its easily assimilated content of calcium and magnesium, to relieve leg cramps. Also high in iron, the leaves and berries help prevent anemia. Raspberry leaf soothes an upset stomach and will help alleviate mild morning sickness. Taken after birth, it slows bleeding, helps the uterus regain tone, and increases breast milk production.

• Nettle leaves are a storehouse of nutrition, with high iron and calcium contents, as well as an excellent source of folic acid, an essential nutrient during pregnancy. Nettle strengthens the kidneys and adrenals, while it relieves fluid retention. Because nettle also supports the vascular system, it can prevent varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Postpartum, it increases breast milk production. Nettle tea has a rich, green taste and can be mixed with other herbs. Cooked nettle is a mineral-rich substitute for spinach and an excellent side dish with a dash of lemon juice and sesame seeds. Try substituting nettle in lasagna. Pick it fresh from spring until mid summer, but be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin. Its nickname is “stinging nettle,” but this sting disappears when cooked. Pick extra to freeze and have on hand for the winter months.

• Oats, another herb high in calcium and magnesium, builds healthy bones and nourishes the nervous system. This is the perfect herb to relieve nervous exhaustion and allow for relaxed rest when sleep is difficult. An easy way to incorporate the healing power of oats, and its high fiber content, is to eat oatmeal cereal in the morning, along with oatmeal bread. Oatstraw tea has a mild flavor that can be used alone or mixed with other herbs. And a warm oatmeal bath is not only relaxing, it softens skin and relieves the itch of a growing belly.

• Dandelion root tea increases digestion and promotes bile to relieve constipation. It is one of the best herbs for cleansing and strengthening the liver, our main detoxifying organ. The liver breaks down hormones no longer needed by the body after birth, and any drugs that may have been given at birth. Containing calcium and iron, roasted dandelion root’s coffee-like flavor, is an excellent morning beverage. Add a handful of the fresh leaves, high in vitamin A, to other greens in salads. Drink dandelion leaf tea if a diuretic is needed to relieve fluid retention. Because of its high potassium content, it does not deplete the body of this important mineral, as other diuretics are known to do.

• Alfalfa, with its deep root system, contains many essential nutrients including trace minerals, chlorophyll and vitamin K, a nutrient necessary for blood clotting. Many midwives advise drinking mild tasting alfalfa tea or taking alfalfa tablets during the last trimester of pregnancy to decrease postpartum bleeding or chance of hemorrhaging. Alfalfa also increases breast milk production – alfalfa hay is fed daily to milking goats and other dairy animals!

These common herbs are available in most natural health food stores and are well-worth using for their nutritionally-packed support during these special months.

This information is provided for educational, and not medical, purposes.  Consult your health care provider for advice tailored to your needs.

We’re very happy to share an interview with massage therapist and trainer Lisa Gallauresi, LMT on partner massage for pregnancy and labor.

Lisa is a massage therapist, parent educator and trainer.  She has been an instructor at massage schools, developed curricula for hospitals and training centers, and consulted on prenatal bodywork for large spas including Kripalu Yoga Center.  Her training includes newborn and infant massage, and she is a certified prenatal specialist.  

If after reading Lisa’s answers you’re sold on the benefits of partner massage for pregnancy and labor, check out Motherlove’s Birth and Baby Oil!  It’s gentle enough for both mothers and babies, and has a zero toxin rating.

What are some benefits of having a partner massage a mom during pregnancy and labor?

The benefits of partner massage during pregnancy and labor can be physically and psychologically profound for the mother and her partner.  When I teach a partner massage class I provide general tools for relaxation and bonding.  We address the most common discomforts of pregnancy and create an environment that facilitates spoken and unspoken physical communication.  If a person has specific structural issues or preexisting conditions they need to see a qualified massage therapist or physical therapist.

We know that the positive effects of massage in general are greater if administered by her partner.  This is in part due to the emotional connection and support that is inherent in the massage.  Women experience a decrease in the level of stress hormones, deeper and longer sleep patterns, reduced soreness and pain in muscles and joints, decreased anxiety and less postpartum depression.  Partners feel empowered to provide hands on comfort as well as emotional support.  Familial adjustments are easier and self-confidence in parenting skills are buoyed.  Laboring women feel more  attachment with partners and therefore react with more self-assurance and a heightened belief in their ability to cope.  The perception of labor outcomes are more positive for both parents when massage is administered.

What are typically moms’ favorite areas to be massaged during pregnancy and labor?

During a typical pregnancy, most women enjoy massage to the low back, shoulders and between the shoulder blades, although you can never go wrong with a nice foot massage! During labor, the intention of the massage shifts.  In early labor women may enjoy massage around the jaw and the scalp, lots of kisses and encouraging words.  As she shifts into a deeper labor space to prepare for the second stage, she usually does not like light touch.  Massage includes deep and sustained pressure to the sacrum and low back with limited talking and focused awareness.

Can you describe some easy massage techniques for pregnancy and another one for labor?

Partner massage tools for pregnancy are more about intention than technique.  Loving, focused, hands on time with little or no distraction is a way to connect and be present with each other.  Creating space to mentally and spiritually witness each other as partners in a journey creates a strong family foundation to build upon.  You do not need special tables or tools to do this massage.  Mom can sit on a stool, chair or birth ball that is facing a table, counter or bed at the correct height.  She can lean forward with several pillows in front and lean forward.  She may need a bunch of pillows to get comfortable.  It is best if the table is against a wall so it remains stable.

The partner can take a quarter sized amount of lotion or oil and stand behind her in an open and relaxed stance, feet in a lunge position bending at the knees.  Starting slowly and lightly at the nape of the neck he/she can create a diamond shape with open and relaxed hands by going out along the shoulders and down to the mid back where the bra line would be.  Warming up the tissue and gradually getting deeper they can “pick up” the tissue at the top of the shoulders and knead it until it softens like dough.  Let mom tell you what feels good and follow her directive.  Learning what relaxes her is useful information for labor.

During labor, if mom wants to be touched, deep sustained pressure to the sacrum and top of the buttocks is welcomed.  A tennis ball is a useful massage tool for long hours of labor massage.  Rub the ball along the low back and use it to provide counter pressure in the sacral area.  The hands and feet can be reached easily in most labor situations and it feels nice to have a firm foot or hand massage.

Are there some areas to stay away from during pregnancy and labor?

Every pregnancy is unique, so parents need to talk to their health care provider for any contraindications to massage.  A licensed massage therapist that specializes in prenatal work can offer private tutorials with specific guidelines that consider adaptations for each couple.  In partner massage we do not do leg work because it is specialized.  Women should not lie flat on their backs after 13 weeks and should not receive massage while lying on their stomachs.   The general rule of thumb in a typical pregnancy is that if it feels good, go for it!

Partner massage is a hands on tool that allows couples the opportunity to bond and communicate.  Pregnancy and labor is perceived more positively if mom feels supported and cared for.  Many partners want concrete tools to show support and therefore feel as if they are participating in the process.  Learning to listen and support a new mother is a skill that I hope will translate into the postpartum period and provide a strong family foundation for years to come!

This raises many questions for moms:  Is it safe to take an antidepressant during breastfeeding?  How much of the medications transfer to your baby, and are there any long term effects of using them during breastfeeding?  What are the effects of untreated maternal depression on babies?  What are the consequences of weaning to take a medication?  And what non-pharmacological methods of treating depression are effective?

In this podcast interview with Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, world-renowned expert on postpartum depression and breastfeeding, Tanya Lieberman, IBCLC posed these questions and more.  Dr. Kendall-Tackett is the author of 22 books on maternal depression, family violence, and breastfeeding, including

Depression in New Mothers: Causes, Consequences, and Treatment Alternatives
Depression in New Mothers
Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers
Breastfeeding Made Simple

She shared her wealth of knowledge about this topic in practical, breastfeeding-friendly terms.  Dr. Kendall Tackett shares more information about this topic on her website.

You can listen to this podcast interview using the player below, listen with Quicktime, or download it at Motherlove’s free iTunes store!

*This podcast is intended for educational purposes, and does not constitute medical advice.  Please consult your health care provider for care appropriate to your situation.

But did you know that there are herbs which reduce your milk supply?  Here are a few to be aware of:*

• Peppermint.  According to the Nursing Mother’s Herbal, some forms of peppermint are more effective than others at reducing milk supply.  Peppermint tea isn’t thought to have much impact, but foods with peppermint oil (and a higher concentration of menthol), including some mints, may affect milk supply.
• Sage.  The Nursing Mother’s Herbal says sage is “almost legendary for lowering milk supply,” and is the herb of choice for reducing supply during weaning.
• Parsley.  The Nursing Mother’s Herbal states that mothers sometimes notice a decrease in supply after “feasting on tabouleh for several days,” and notes that parsley juice and tablets also have caused declines in supply.

Like galactagogues, these herbs have a greater effect on milk supply when eaten regularly in large or concentrated amounts, so a parsley garnish or a sprinkle of sage isn’t likely to do much harm.

But sometimes these herbs appear in concentrated amounts in places you wouldn’t expect, like green drinks and smoothies, mints, and even Thanksgiving stuffing.  There are many recipes for green smoothies which contain parsley, which is an otherwise wonderfully nutritious herb.  As noted above, tabouleh can also contain a lot of parsley.  Mints made with peppermint oil may contain enough menthol to affect supply if eaten regularly.  And Thanksgiving stuffing is often made with sage, and many of us eat leftover stuffing for days after the holiday.

So, while breastfeeding we encourage you to eat foods containing these ingredients in moderation.  If you are having difficulty with milk supply you may want to avoid them altogether.

*This information is provided for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.

Most developed countries, including Japan, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, China and the 15 nations of the European Union, have mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods. However, this is not the case in the United States, in spite of the fact that 93 percent of Americans agree that GE foods should be labeled.

That is why, in late September 2011, the Center for Food Safety filed a legal petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calling on FDA to label GE foods. Meanwhile, Organic Voices—started when a group of organic stakeholders met in D.C. to discuss the contamination threat to organic farming posed by GE crops—initiated the Just Label It Campaign.

Since then, the “Just Label it: We Have A Right to Know” (JLI) campaign has joined efforts with hundreds of organizations representing the millions of Americans who want their food labeled. It was created on the premise that people have a right to know what is in their food, and to give consumers not only a voice, but a choice in how they can take action.

Since the JLI campaign began, over 600,000 comments have been sent to FDA in support of labeling genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Two videos– “Dining In The Dark” and “Just Label it: We have a right to know”—have also been released to educate people about the issues surrounding GMOs and the need for GE food to be labeled.

Help keep this momentum going!  Go to www.justlabelit.org and help us flood FDA with comments from Americans from coast to coast to let the agency know that we care about GMO labeling. Share the videos with your Facebook friends, and encourage them to sign the petition to label genetically engineered foods.   Together, we can send a clear message to FDA that labels matter.

Cold compresses.  Many moms use ice packs to reduce swelling and soothe pain in the early hours after birth.  Be sure to wrap cold packs in a soft cloth or other soft material so that the cold pack doesn’t directly touch your tissues. Some moms wet and freeze their pads to create convenient cold compresses.

Sitz baths.  Warm water, especially when infused with healing herbs, can do wonders for tender tissues.  You can make a sitz bath in a bathtub or with a basin that fits over your toilet seat (in the hospital, ask your nurse for help with this).  Added to your bath, our Sitz Bath and Sitz Bath Concentrate soothe sore perineal muscles, reduce swelling, slow bleeding, and help ease the discomfort of hemorrhoids.  Our Sitz Bath Spray can be sprayed directly on your perineum an offers the same relief.  All of our sitz bath products have a zero rating (zero toxins) on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database and are made with 100% certified organic ingredients.

Witch hazel.  Witch hazel is an herb which is soothing to sore, swollen tissue, and especially helpful with hemorrhoids.  You can buy witch hazel soaked pads.  You’ll also find witch hazel in our organic Rhoid Balm, which relieves swelling and itching during pregnancy and after birth, and in our sitz bath products.

Peri bottle.  Many moms who have had tears, stitches, or episiotomies find it soothing to spray their perineum (front to back) with warm water after or during urination.  Peri bottles make this easy.  It can be especially helpful to use a peri bottle while urinating if you have stinging pain when using the toilet.

Medications.  Your health care providers can discuss over the counter and prescription medication options that are safe for breastfeeding.  If you have additional questions about pain medications and breastfeeding, you can call the Infant Risk Center for free information from a knowledgeable and breastfeeding-friendly pharmacist.

* This post is not intended as medical advice.  For medical advice, seek the recommendations of your health care provider.

It’s long been used as a cooking spice in East Indian and Asian cuisine and can be used externally to soothe wounds and sores. It can be gargled to relieve a sore throat and its seeds aid digestion.  It’s even approved as an appetite stimulant in Germany.

But it’s fenugreek’s status in the galactagogue world that puts it on center stage among breastfeeding herbs. (A galactogogue is a substance which increases milk supply.) Fenugreek is by far the most popular galactagogue, and can be taken as a liquid extract, dried powder capsule, or in tea form.

Note: Motherlove products all contain liquid extracts, or tinctures. Our vegetarian liquid capsules are popular with mothers who dislike the taste of the extract, but are the same liquid extract — just packaged differently for ease of use. Motherlove does not manufacture any dried herb capsules or teas.

Fenugreek’s smell and taste are so close to maple syrup that it’s used as flavoring in artificial maple syrup.  A few years ago, when New Yorkers reported periodic smells of maple syrup (they became known as “maple syrup events“) authorities identified the cause as a fenugreek processing plant!  Many mothers report that they smell like maple syrup when they use fenugreek to increase milk supply.

Fenugreek is an annual that grows 12-18″ high, and is a member of the legume family. It produces “pea pods” that contain yellow-brown seeds.

Fenugreek is an ingredient in a number of Motherlove products, including:  Fenugreek, More Milk Plus, More Milk Plus Alcohol Free, More Milk Plus Capsules, More Milk Special Blend, More Milk Special Blend Alcohol Free, More Milk Special Blend Capsules.  Please see each product page for suggested use.

Why Fenugreek:

Why is fenugreek such a popular galactagogue? Simply, because it’s safe and has such a long history of use without serious side effects. (See cautions and possible side effects below.) Its ability to increase milk supply is well established and it’s the number one recommended herb by lactation consultants. 

Before Using Fenugreek:

Consult a certified lactation consultant. There are many reasons why milk supply can suffer, and you may not have low supply at all. It’s common to worry about how much milk your baby is receiving and often everything is just fine. Also, low supply can be a complex issue and taking a supplement might mask the real problem, or not be effective without also altering your pumping schedule, correcting your baby’s latch or diagnosing another medical condition, such as PCOS. If you’re building a freezer stash so you can return to work, a lactation consultant can suggest the timing of introducing the bottle and getting a pumping routine established. We always recommend seeing a lactation consultant as the first step before taking any of our supplements.

Note: Always let your lactation consultant or healthcare professional know any medications that you may be taking, as any food has the potential to cause a reaction or interfere with medications.

Safety:

Fenugreek has been used for generations all over the world without any documented deaths. Fenugreek is widely used as an ingredient in spice blends and artificial maple syrup. It is a basic ingredient of curry powder and five spice mixtures and is also popular in salads. Fenugreek is on the FDA’s GRAS list (Generally Recognized as Safe).

Note: More Milk Plus is the number one recommended supplement to increase breast milk. More Milk Plus is carried in over 100 hospitals on the birthing floors where women get advice and support from lactation consultants on staff.

Possible Side Effects & Cautions:

Dosage:  Mothers who are fearful about producing enough milk have been known to take large quantities of fenugreek, which increases the risk of side effects. Dried herbal supplements can vary in their potency (which is normal — not all plants grown in the same garden are identical) and different brands recommend different dosages.

Note: Motherlove’s recommended dosage of our products is specific to breastfeeding. Fenugreek purchased as a general supplement may have other suggested dosages. Always follow the label’s dosage recommendations and talk to your lactation consultant about breastfeeding-specific dosages.

Contrary to much of what is recommended on the internet, taking enough fenugreek to smell like maple syrup is not always necessary. You might find an effective dose without the odor. Use caution and consult your healthcare professional before taking large doses of any herbs or supplements.

Also consider the dose that is effective for you. If you are taking a large dose and not seeing results in two to three days, ask your lactation consultant for advice. You might have low milk supply caused by a condition that does not respond to fenugreek. Common sense and professional advice can not only limit potential side effects but also save you valuable time and frustration, and get your breastfeeding relationship on track much quicker.

Note: Motherlove supplements are herbal extracts (not dried herbs) and are carefully blended for maximum effectiveness. It is possible to take a more moderate dose of these products because of their potency as compared to dried herbs and diluted dried herbs (teas). Always follow label instructions and do not take more than the recommended dose.

GI Upset:  Fenugreek is known to cause diarrhea and/or intestinal upset in a small number of people. The odds of this reaction can be minimized by taking the most moderate dose that works for you.  Dried herbs can also cause stomach upset because of the amount of fiber they are adding to your diet. If you are taking fenugreek along with other supplements, be aware of this potential side effect.

Dried fenugreek can inhibit the absorption of other medications because of the mucilage it produces. Fenugreek, when added to water, produces a thick-slimy substance that can coat the inside of your stomach and interfere with absorption. Liquid extract/tincture does not have this side effect, and it is absorbed much more quickly than powdered herbs.

It’s helpful to take a blend of herbs instead of fenugreek alone. A blended formula addresses several reasons milk supply may be low, and generally, it has less possibility for side effects than a single herb. Motherlove products are formulated with checks and balances — for example, fenugreek can cause diarrhea, but blessed thistle is anti-diarrheal.

Note: Motherlove has more formulas to increase breast milk than any other company. These include a fenugreek and alcohol-free galactagogue for use during pregnancy, More Milk Two, and fenugreek-free More Milk.

Allergies: Fenugreek is a legume as are beans, peas, chickpeas, peanuts and soy.  If you have a severe peanut allergy you should avoid fenugreek and other foods that contain it, such as those listed above. Studies have shown that people allergic to peanuts are not necessarily allergic to fenugreek, and there are people that have shown an allergy to fenugreek, but not peanuts.

Hypoglycemia: Clinical trials have shown that fenugreek lowers blood sugar, and it is used to control blood sugar by diabetics. If you are diabetic, talk to your healthcare professional before using fenugreek.

Pregnancy/Smooth Muscle Stimulation: One theory about why fenugreek works to stimulate breast milk production is its action on smooth muscles. (Breast tissue is a smooth muscle.) The uterus is also a smooth muscle making fenugreek unsafe during pregnancy. Do not take fenugreek while pregnant or while you can become pregnant.

Other Contraindications: Fenugreek contains coumarin, and animal studies have shown fenugreek to increase the effects of warfarin. Do not use fenugreek if you have been prescribed blood thinners. Fenugreek may lower the thyroid hormone T3 (also based on animal studies only), so fenugreek is not recommended for women with hypothyroid. Fenugreek has been said in some internet forums to have an effect on blood pressure/medications but we are unable to find any credible studies or links to fenugreek’s effect on either high or low blood pressure. However, as cautioned above, you should consult your lactation consultant and other healthcare professionals before taking any supplements or medications.

About Motherlove herbs:

Before being accepted for use in any Motherlove supplement, each ingredient undergoes quality testing. Then, the finished product is tested for bacteria, yeast, mold, E. coli, Staphylococcus, salmonella and heavy metals by a third-party lab.

Manufacturing and packaging of Motherlove supplements is done in a GMP certified and FDA registered facility, and all herbs used in the products are USDA certified organic.

Motherlove products do not contain dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat or gluten. Our capsules contain non-GMO soy lecithin.

References:
The German Commission E
The Botanical Safety Handbook
Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions
Medication & Mother’s Milk
The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety
The Nursing Mother’s Herbal
Herbal Medicines, A Guide for Health-Care Professionals
The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk
The Nursing Mother’s Companion
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

Massaging your baby facilitates bonding, relaxation, and promotes sleep, digestion, and boosts babies’ immune systems.  It can alleviate gas and even help with teething pain.  And it’s been shown to relax parents and stimulate the production of oxytocin – “the love hormone.”

Our Birth and Baby Oil is gentle enough to be used as an infant massage oil (as well as for perineal massage during labor and birth).  An all natural mild scented oil with certified organic lavender and no essential oils, it’s also excellent for dry skin and cradle cap.  Our Birth & Baby Oil has a zero rating (zero toxins) on EWG’s Skin Deep database.

One infant massage DVD we love is Bonding With Your Brilliant and Beautiful Baby Through Infant Massage, from BabyBabyOhBaby.  Watch a preview of this gorgeous and inspirational guide to infant massage.

To get started right away, check out the videos below from Infant Massage USA which introduce some basic strokes.

Getting started with infant massage:

Leg massage:

Tummy massage:

Arm massage:

According to Dr. Sears, a rash which is “red, raised, patchy rash with sharp borders, mostly over the genitalia but with satellite spots sprinkled around the diaper area,” may be a result of an overgrowth of yeast.  Yeast rashes are more common after antibiotic use.  If your baby has a prolonged diaper rash which doesn’t respond to treatment with barrier creams, it may be yeast and require a different approach.

If you suspect a yeast rash, try our Diaper Rash and Thrush salve.  It’s an all-natural herbal solution for persistent, inflamed diaper rash. It can also be used on your nipples if they’re yeast-infected, and does not need to be washed off prior to nursing.  It’s diaper safe and compatible with all diapers including cloth.

Our Diaper Rash and Thrush salve has a zero rating (zero toxins) on EWG’s Skin Deep database and is made with 96% certified organic ingredients.

As you know, along with summer fun can come a whole lot of itching.  Scratches and cuts, bug bites, poison ivy, and rashes may be a summer ritual, but they don’t have to slow you or your kids down.

Our organic, all natural Green Salve is the perfect remedy for the summer itches.  It quickly and effectively takes the itch out of insect bites, bee stings and poison ivy. It soothes and eases the discomforts of rashes, chapped and irritated skin.  We think it’s a must for every home.

Our Green Salve contains extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, plantain herb, comfrey herb, marshmallow root, and calendula flower.  Plantain herb is known as “nature’s band aid” because it is excellent for healing wounds and drawing out toxins or objects embedded in the skin such as splinters or glass.   Comfrey herb is nicknamed “knitbone,” as it quickly heals wounds, keeps them free from infection, and prevents scarring.  Marshmallow root softens skin and soothes skin irritations, boils, stings, and runny sores.  And calendula is an all purpose skin healing herb used to stop bleeding, wash wounds, heal cuts, abscesses, rashes, boils, chapped skin, and eczema.

Motherlove’s Green Salve has a zero rating (zero toxins) on EWG’s skin deep database and is made with 100% certified organic ingredients.

We recommend applying Green Salve to affected area several times daily to help relieve itch, rash, or chapped and irritated skin.

Mothers with hypoplastic breasts often struggle to provide enough milk for their babies, despite ‘doing everything right.’

Tanya Lieberman, IBCLC talked with Diana Cassar-Uhl, IBCLC on the visual markers of hypoplastic breasts, the incidence of it, what to do if you have hypoplastic breasts.  We particularly liked her story of helping her best friend, who coined the term “booby fairy.”  Diana also discussed the use of Goat’s Rue to build glandular tissue.

You can listen to this podcast with the player below, listen to it with Quicktime, or download it from our free iTunes store!

The entire dandelion plant is edible, and it’s higher than most foods in vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin A.  It has a number of medicinal uses, too.

Motherlove founder Kathryn Higgins writes, in her Pocket Guide to Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants, “This recognizable plant is so beneficial that I don’t understand where it got its bad reputation.  Instead of eradicating this useful plant we should all be enjoying its beauty and many uses.”

She recalls:  “I started giving wild edible plant identification classes in 1985 on our land in Rist Canyon.  After class I fed everyone a meal made with the plants that we had previously identified.  The main course was nettle lasagna, along with a wild weed salad of lambsquarter and dandelion leaves.  To this I added sheep sorrel for a lemony taste and bull thistle.  Peeled thistle stalk makes a great substitute for celery. Side dishes were dandelion pickles, the wonderful dandelion muffins, and drinks of cold nettle lemonade and hot roasted dandelion root tea.  The children helped me with the gathering and making dandelion muffins- picking the open flower heads and pulling out the beautiful yellow fluff.”

See below for her recipe for Dandelion Muffins!

Here are some of the many ways you can use the dandelions in your yard:

Edible uses:*

• Before the plant blooms eat the young greens in salad or steamed.
• Pickle or steam the unopened buds.
• Add flower petals to flours and batters, and make them into tea, wine, beer, and syrup.
• Soak small pieces of the flower stalk in equal parts of water and vinegar overnight for pickles.
• Dry the root and roast in a slow oven until brown (about 4 hours), grind, simmer 10 minutes for a drink some liken to coffee with no caffeine.
• Eat the boiled roots as a vegetable.

Medicinal uses:*

• Dandelion leaf tea is a good diuretic for fluid retention and to eliminate toxins and constipation.
• The flower oil is good for a stiff neck, skin sores, and back tension.
• Splash the tea on skin to heal chapped or windburned areas, age spots, large pores, and wrinkles.
• Dandelion root is an excellent liver and stomach herb to treat liver congestion, to increase bile production, and help weak digestion.
• The root tea or tincture is recommended for jaundice, anemia, and skin blemishes.
• Use as a poultice on breast tenderness, cysts, or plugged milk ducts.
• Juice from the stem clears up warts.

Kathryn’s recipe for Dandelion Muffins:

Mix in bowl:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cups clipped dandelion flowers.  Mix the dandelion flowers to into the flour with your hands separating the bigger clumps of petals.

Mix in another bowl:

• 1/4 cups oil
• 4 T honey
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 1/2 cups milk

Combine dry and liquid ingredients.  Stir to moisten- it should be lumpy. Spoon into oiled muffin tins.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

*Of course, be sure that your dandelions haven’t been chemically sprayed!

Our nipple cream can be used for many other purposes.  It’s safe and effective for many uses.  You can use it to:

• Pass on to a pregnant friend (or buy her a new jar!)

• Moisturize lips (all ingredients are safe for ingestion)

• Moisturize dry skin on elbows, knees and heels

• Heal minor cuts, scrapes, and burns

• Soothe insect bites or sunburn

• Soothe inflamed stretch marks (or try our Pregnant Belly Salve or Pregnant Belly Oil)

• Rub into dry cuticles or chapped skin

• Treat eczema (or try our Green Salve)

• Smooth down a bit of unruly hair

• Use on diaper rash (or try our Diaper Rash and Thrush Salve)

• If you use a nipple shield, put a little a little under the outside edges to hold it in place

• Put it on chapped nose and cheeks during the winter time cold season.

• And finally, Silencia at Motherlove says “I also have a lot of friends who use it to help heal tattoos.”

And please remember that our glass jars are fully recyclable and reusable. Use our jars to hold jewelry, a votive candle, or even your own homemade lip balm.

Never heard of it?  That may be because it’s a popular galactagogue in France but is less well known in the U.S.  But we think that’s going to change as more people get to know this pretty and powerful plant.

What’s special about this herb?

Developing mammary tissue. Goat’s rue is one of the most potent herbs to stimulate the development of mammary tissue.  For this reason, it can be particularly helpful for women who did not experience breast growth during pregnancy, women with insufficient glandular tissue/breast hypoplasia, women who have had breast surgeries, and adoptive mothers.  It’s even used to increase breast size in non-lactating women.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Goat’s rue may also be helpful for mothers who have low milk supply as a result of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  In a guest post on PCOS on our blog, Lisa Marasco, IBCLC explained: “Metformin was originally developed from the herb goat’s rue, which is known for its antidiabetic properties as well as its reputed ability to stimulate milk production and breast gland development. This makes goat’s rue particularly appropriate for women with PCOS who are struggling with low milk supply.”

Motherlove sells goat’s rue in several forms:  As a single-herb liquid extract and liquid capsule and in More Milk Special Blend.  More Milk Special Blend is our best-selling More Milk Plus formula with added goat’s rue – a product we developed at the request of lactation consultants.  It’s sold as a liquid extract, an alcohol free liquid extract, and alcohol free liquid capsules.

For more information on the use of goat’s rue to increase milk supply, see this page on Low Milk Supply.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Image source: Wikimedia Commons.

That’s because we observe Earth Day every day of the year.

Motherlove was born from a deep respect for the gifts from the natural world, and we aim every day to create our products in ways that protect and preserve it.  Our products are truly gifts from nature, and we aspire to honor that generosity in every choice we make.

Here are just a few of the ways we maintain our commitment to the environment:

• Our certified organic ingredients reduce the use of pesticides and create a healthier product for you.  All of our products score a “zero” (zero toxins) on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetic safety database.

• We manufacture using wind credits, lessening the use of non-renewable energy sources which contribute to global climate change.

• All of our office supplies, packaging, and company literature is made from recycled materials.

• We use glass packaging for our salves - a choice which reduces the use of plastic, permits endless recycling, and allows for safe and creative reuse!

• None of our products are ever tested on animals and all are completely cruelty-free. We are third-party certified by Leaping Bunny, which means that not only our end products, but also the ingredients (where most animal testing occurs) are third-party certified. There are lots of bunny seals, but only Leaping Bunny is a third-party certification and not just a company statement.

• Through our Nurturing Life Foundation we support environmental education for kids at places like The Mountain Park Environmental Center.  Over 10% of all Motherlove Herbal Company’s profits are donated to organizations that help nurture life and give children the opportunity to experience and explore the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

• Our founder, Kathryn Higgins, teaches on the gifts of the natural world through her lectures and writing on the use of herbs for nutrition, medicine, and body care.  Kathryn’s first book, Pocket Guide to Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants, not only showcases the ingredients found in Motherlove’s products, but focuses on using native plants and sustainable harvesting methods. Kathryn is currently working on her second book, Sowing Seeds: Growing our Future, which focuses on growing herbs with children.

We are constantly striving to make Motherlove as respectful of the planet as we can, and encourage everyone to do what they can to make every day Earth Day!

Wildcrafting

It’s common to see “organic” herbal ingredients on everything from teas to shampoos to toothpaste. A category of herb you don’t see nearly as often is “wildcrafted”. What exactly are wildcrafted herbs?

Long before USDA certification was the gold standard in the personal care industry, gathering all natural herbs was called wildcrafting. As a sustainable practice, herbalists gather roots, leaves, and seeds at the correct time of year during their highest potency. Careful to only gather a small percentage of any stand, wildcrafters have been ahead of their time in preserving the earth’s resources. In 1995, leaders in the wildcrafting industry founded United Plant Savers in an attempt to establish the best practices for ethical harvesting.

As the demand for herbal ingredients exploded, herbalists and product manufacturers realized that harvesting from wild stands of herbs was not going to be sustainable for the long term. The demand, especially for roots, was simply too great. At the same time, the process of farming with organic certification grew, as did the demand for certified products. Today,  many herbs are grown on certified organic  farms in an attempt to provide a steady source of raw materials for our industry.

For more information on herbal wildcrafting practices and the herbs that inspired many Motherlove products, consider reading the Pocket Guide to Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants. Written by Motherlove’s founder, Kathryn Higgins, the book also lists color photos with edible and medicinal uses, gathering information, and further references for identifying, cooking, and healing with wild plants.