Third Trimester Herbs

As you tone your mind in preparation for childbirth and fine-tune your birth plans, you can tone your body as well. Raspberry leaf tea, and Blue Cohosh are the two most popular herbs used during pregnancy, and are particularly useful during the third trimester.

RASPBERRY LEAF TEA

Raspberry Leaf’s astringent and stimulating properties strengthen and tone the uterine and pelvic muscles, while its soothing properties relax the uterus. Raspberry leaf tea also tones the mucous membranes, soothes the kidneys, allays diarrhea, stops hemorrhage, quells nausea, sedates, and relaxes.

Raspberry leaves have been used throughout history to encourage safe, easy childbirth, to speed recovery from birth and to stimulate milk production afterwards. The tonic and relaxing action of the leaves reduces the pain of uterine contractions and makes them more effective and productive, thereby easing and shortening the duration of childbirth.

To make a pot of the tea,

1. Fill a teapot with cold water and bring to a boil.
2. Meanwhile, fill a clean teapot with hot water from the tap. Let it sit until the water boils, then empty the teapot.
3. Place 2 tablespoons dried raspberry leaves or 4 tablespoons fresh raspberry leaves into the teapot.
4. Add 1 pint of boiling water to teapot.
5. Steep for 10 minutes.
6. Strain, pour into a cup and sip slowly.

To make a cup of tea, use half the amount of leaves and water. Drink 1 cup a day during your second trimester, and three cups a day during your third trimester. As with any herb, consult with your birth practitioner before using.

BLUE COHOSH

Along with raspberry leaves, blue cohosh has been used in later pregnancy for hundreds of years to prepare women’s bodies for childbirth. It is not safe to use during early pregnancy, but can be safely consumed in tea form during the last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy.

Like raspberry leaves, blue cohosh has both stimulating and relaxing properties which facilitate childbirth. Blue cohosh tones the uterus and promotes regular and effective contractions. Drinking blue cohosh in tea form during the last month of pregnancy helps to prepare the uterus for birth.

To make a pot of tea:

1. Fill a teapot with cold water and bring to a boil.
2. Meanwhile, fill a clean teapot with hot water from the tap. Let it sit until the water boils, then empty the teapot.
3. Place 4 tablespoons dried blue cohosh and 2 tablespoons fresh blue cohosh into the teapot.
4. Add 1 pint of boiling water to teapot.
5. Steep for 10 minutes.
6. Strain, pour into a cup and sip slowly.

To make a cup of tea, use half the amount of leaves and water. Drink 1 to 3 cups of this tea a day during the last month of pregnancy. Consult with your birth practitioner before using it.