Thanks so much for talking about herbs in pregnancy and postpartum. You nailed it when you said we’d be frustrating hearing “it depends, it depends!” Guess it time to drive deeper into the studies and find out what “it depends!” means and for whom!
I hear you! I really do. It's more that there's a lack of research+studies than that the safety depends. What depends, is how comfortable a pregnant or nursing person is with using herbs that haven't been proven safe. Proven by science that is, because there is lots of traditional use that some people consider reliable (and others don't). I hope that further clarifies what depends!
I just wanted to very quickly share my experience with two herbs that I used topically at the hospital where I gave birth. It has a long tradition of working with herbs.
They prepared a rinsing solution from diluted calendula essence and left it in the restroom in a large pitcher so you could let it run over the pubic area when urinating. It was supposed to dilute the urine and thus prevent burning at the wound. It also helps reduce possible swelling or infections in that area.
They also kept arnica gel on little fleece towels in the freezer that you could put in your underwear after birth injuries. It was soooooo soothing and such a quick relieve and magical recovery. I loved it.
Oh, and they also had Moringa and fennel tea. :-)
I hope this was not too much detail, but that maybe it can support someone with their experience, too.
The hospital is in Germany. If that's relevant to you, please let me know. If not and you're looking for a good hospital I hope you will find something that you feel comfortable with.
Thanks Aya! Appreciate you sharing. I am in the US, not pregnant, no plans to be, just super curious as to where this amazing service was being done :) Lucky you!
Oh my goodness, this hospital sounds amazing! Where was it? I wish, wish, wish that practices like these were more common. So simple, affordable, effective, and natural. That's really beautiful to hear. Thank you for sharing! I will share with the group in the next podcast.
I'm happy you found this relevant and even shared it. Thanks. And you're exactly right, they use BOTH. They do take the time to try the "alternatives" and explain them before, if necessary, they use conventional medicine. It's really good to know that the people in charge are not against one or the other per se, that they are experienced with both paths, and that they are willing to give you and your body a little time for the "alternatives" to work. The reason they do so is not because time and money don't matter there, but because their work is fundamentally rooted in the notion of salutogensis. I guess you're familiar with the term by Aaron Antonovsky? :-) Essentially, although that's just one tiny aspect of it, it's about the focus on creating and keeping health rather than on disease and pathology.
Now that I'm writing this looooong comment (sorry) I'd like to finally ask you what I was going to ask for so long already: This hospital also used homeopathy. That's something that has always been a little difficult for me to grasp. I know so many people who just make fun of it. And I never know what to reply in it's favor as I feel like it's lacking a scientific foundation and that's what I normally trust in. So is it just pseudo-science? However, what makes that hard to believe for me is that there's two traditional German homeopathic companies (Weleda and WALA) that work with awesome plants and that have a couple really, really great and safe tinctures and salves that I've found extremely effective. I'd be really thankful to hear your perspective at some point in the future. :-)
Hi Aya! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! Full of lots of great info and as for salutogenesis, I had never heard the term! But it reminds me of terrain theory. And I'm going to read more about it; it sounds like exactly the mindset we need more of in modern health.
As for homeopathy, I'm happy to talk about this in our next podcast. It's rightfully confusing and similar but not identical to herbalism. More soon!
Thanks so much for talking about herbs in pregnancy and postpartum. You nailed it when you said we’d be frustrating hearing “it depends, it depends!” Guess it time to drive deeper into the studies and find out what “it depends!” means and for whom!
I hear you! I really do. It's more that there's a lack of research+studies than that the safety depends. What depends, is how comfortable a pregnant or nursing person is with using herbs that haven't been proven safe. Proven by science that is, because there is lots of traditional use that some people consider reliable (and others don't). I hope that further clarifies what depends!
Dear Rachelle,
I just wanted to very quickly share my experience with two herbs that I used topically at the hospital where I gave birth. It has a long tradition of working with herbs.
They prepared a rinsing solution from diluted calendula essence and left it in the restroom in a large pitcher so you could let it run over the pubic area when urinating. It was supposed to dilute the urine and thus prevent burning at the wound. It also helps reduce possible swelling or infections in that area.
They also kept arnica gel on little fleece towels in the freezer that you could put in your underwear after birth injuries. It was soooooo soothing and such a quick relieve and magical recovery. I loved it.
Oh, and they also had Moringa and fennel tea. :-)
I hope this was not too much detail, but that maybe it can support someone with their experience, too.
Still love your work. Thanks so much,
Aya
I'm also curious as to where this hospital is? :)
Dear Carolyn,
The hospital is in Germany. If that's relevant to you, please let me know. If not and you're looking for a good hospital I hope you will find something that you feel comfortable with.
Best wishes, Aya
Thanks Aya! Appreciate you sharing. I am in the US, not pregnant, no plans to be, just super curious as to where this amazing service was being done :) Lucky you!
Oh my goodness, this hospital sounds amazing! Where was it? I wish, wish, wish that practices like these were more common. So simple, affordable, effective, and natural. That's really beautiful to hear. Thank you for sharing! I will share with the group in the next podcast.
Hi Rachelle,
I'm happy you found this relevant and even shared it. Thanks. And you're exactly right, they use BOTH. They do take the time to try the "alternatives" and explain them before, if necessary, they use conventional medicine. It's really good to know that the people in charge are not against one or the other per se, that they are experienced with both paths, and that they are willing to give you and your body a little time for the "alternatives" to work. The reason they do so is not because time and money don't matter there, but because their work is fundamentally rooted in the notion of salutogensis. I guess you're familiar with the term by Aaron Antonovsky? :-) Essentially, although that's just one tiny aspect of it, it's about the focus on creating and keeping health rather than on disease and pathology.
Now that I'm writing this looooong comment (sorry) I'd like to finally ask you what I was going to ask for so long already: This hospital also used homeopathy. That's something that has always been a little difficult for me to grasp. I know so many people who just make fun of it. And I never know what to reply in it's favor as I feel like it's lacking a scientific foundation and that's what I normally trust in. So is it just pseudo-science? However, what makes that hard to believe for me is that there's two traditional German homeopathic companies (Weleda and WALA) that work with awesome plants and that have a couple really, really great and safe tinctures and salves that I've found extremely effective. I'd be really thankful to hear your perspective at some point in the future. :-)
Best wishes,
Aya
Hi Aya! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! Full of lots of great info and as for salutogenesis, I had never heard the term! But it reminds me of terrain theory. And I'm going to read more about it; it sounds like exactly the mindset we need more of in modern health.
As for homeopathy, I'm happy to talk about this in our next podcast. It's rightfully confusing and similar but not identical to herbalism. More soon!
Thanks for being here. <3