Postpartum Herbs : A good galactologe is nettle which is used to stimulate mothers milk, and to restore a woman's energy after childbirth. Nettle is a very nourishing herb, that can be used anytime during pregnancy. High concentrations of tannin, tyramine, and other amines are what make Shepherd's Purse an excellent remedy for excessive bleeding after childbirth. It is often combined with yarrow for this purpose.¹ Raspberry leaf aids in cleansing the afterbirth from the system and enriching the flow of milk. Sometimes employed by midwives during childbirth when labour is long or delayed. Angelica is the herb of choice for many midwives to help expel the placenta following childbirth.¹

Using Aromatherapy

During labor ginger root oil can be used as a lower back massage to restore energy.¹Jasmine oil helps to relieve the pain of childbirth, and promotes the flow of breast milk, so is of value as a pre and post natal massage oil.³

Herbs Used for Childbirth

Angelica * Black Cohosh * Blue Cohosh * Jasmine * Motherwort * Nettle * PennyRoyal * Raspberry * Shepherd's Purse * Skullcap *

Angelica For: Childbirth
Profile	Sometimes employed by midwives during childbirth when labour is long or delayed. Angelica is the herb of choice for many midwives to help expel the placenta following childbirth. Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Anise For: Breast-feeding, libido
Profile	Anise is high in anethol, a compound with effects similar to those of estrogen. It has a reputation for increasing milk production in nursing mothers, promoting menstruation, and facilitating childbirth. It is also said to increase libido in women and men. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Black and blue cohosh For: Childbirth
Profile	Black cohosh is given in combination with blue cohosh to stimulate uterine contractions in the last week of pregnancy Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Blue Cohosh For: Natural Childbirth
Profile	Blue cohosh contains the phytochemical caulosaponin, capable of triggering powerful contractions of the uterus - James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Clary Sage oil For: Cramping, painful period
Profile	Clary Sage oil's antispasmodic properties relieve pain and cramping. Use a clary sage blend to gently massage the abdomen.

Dill For: Emmenagogue
Profile	Dill leaves and seeds are used by European and American herbalists to increase mother's milk, and treat breast congestion, which may come with nursing. A simple tea of dill seed or weed may be taken several times a day Weiss, Gaea and Shandor, The Healing Herbs (1985)

False unicorn root For: Morning sickness, infertility
Profile	Beneficial effects on the female reproductive system include uterine tonic, to prevent miscarriage, to curb morning sickness. folklore reputation as a treatment for infertility in both men and women Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Horsetail For: Emmenagogue
Profile	Besides being useful in kidney and bladder trouble, a strong decoction acts as an emmenagogue, being cooling and astringent, it is of efficacy for hemorrhage, cystic ulceration and ulcers in the urinary passages. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Vol 1 (1931)

Jasmine oil For: Natal massage oil
Profile	Jasmine oil helps to relieve the pain of childbirth, and promotes the flow of breast milk, so is of value as a pre and post natal massage oil. Robert B Tisserand, The Art of Aromatherapy (1977)

Motherwort For: Emmenagogue
Profile	Strong emmenagogue, stimulates menstrual bleeding in delayed periods. Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Motherwort For: Childbirth, insomina, pain
Profile	Combine motherwort with scullcap and/or valerian to relieve pain and insomnia associated with childbirth Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Nettle For: Childbirth
Profile	Used to stimulate mothers milk, and to restore a woman's energy after childbirth.

Partridgeberry For: Childbirth, Uterine Tonic
	Partridge berry is a North American evergreen used in Native Amercian medicine and Western traditional herbalism as a tonic for women. The leaves and stems are used in teas, often in combination with raspberry and crampbark to tone the uterus, prepare for childbirth. This herb is also used to help relieve painful menstruation, and PMS water bloating. Pregnant women should use with caution, under the advice of a qualified herbalist. . Partridgeberry Herb Profile. (), Mountain Rose Herbs

PennyRoyal tea For: Induce Labor
Profile	Used during labor to facilitate contractions and stimulate delayed or prolonged labor. Use under the guidance of a qualified herbal practitioner. Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Raspberry leaf tea For: Childbirth/Galactagogue
Profile	This herb's most famous application, however, is in pre­paring mothers-to-be for childbirth. Raspberry-leaf tea appears to tone the uterine and pelvic muscles. Dr. Violet Russel in a letter to The Lancet said of raspberry-leaf tea: "somewhat shamefacedly I have encouraged expec­tant mothers to drink this infusion. In a great many cases labour has been free and easy from muscular spasm. Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Shepherd's Purse For: Childbirth/bleeding
Profile	High concentrations of tannin, tyramine, and other amines are what make it an excellent remedy for excessive bleeding after childbirth Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Childbirth Information

• Menopause :
  Herbs containing or acting like estrogen may provide some of the benefits of estrogen in relieving menopausal symptoms.
• Pregnancy :
  The herbs used for pregnancy are the same herbs that have been used by midwives for centuries.
• PMS :
  The effects of PMS range from mild to devastating an include edema,depression, tension, cramps, cravings, and more.
• Women's Tonics :
  A healthy, functioning liver is an important part of hormone production and hormonal balance is an important factor in PMS, menopause, regulating menses, and maintaining a healthy libido.
• Dysmenorrhea :
  A painful period can range from a dull ache to a violent cramp. When we are in a fragile emotional state, menstrual pain can be even more severe.
• Menorrhagia :
  Heavy menstrual bleeding, clotting or irregular bleeding are come under the heading of menorrhagia.
• Osteoporosis :
  Although osteoporosis can affect both men and women, it is more prevalent in women, especially women who have gone through menopause and have lower levels of bone protecting estrogen in their bodies.
• Amenorrhea :
  Herbs that bring on menstrual flow when there is delayed menstruation --for whatever reason--are known as emmenagogues.
• Candida/Yeast Infection :
  Women may be more susceptible to vaginal yeast infections if they are pregnant or have diabetes. Candidiasis is an infection caused by species of Candida fungi, especially Candida albicans.