Supportive Pregnancy Herbal Blend

Words and photography by Kendra Aronson 
Recipe by Megan Bochum of Pacific Midwifery

The month of May is a time to give special thanks to mothers, and what better gift than nutrition? A balanced meal is especially important for moms-to-be because, as we know, health starts in utero. If we have healthy mamas, we have healthy babies; if we have healthy babies, we have healthy children. With that goal in mind, I created Pregnant and Hungry, a searchable online collection of pregnancy-friendly recipes with filters for pregnancy-specific ailments, cravings, dietary restrictions and meal types. Eat up!  

This recipe for a supportive pregnancy herbal blend includes several plants selected for their ability to reduce common ailments. Ethically harvested, wildcrafted and organic herbs should be utilized when possible. Dried herbs can be purchased from local sources like The Secret Garden in San Luis Obispo or Spice of Life in Paso Robles. 

• Both the dandelion leaf and root can be used to treat nausea and vomiting, breast pain and constipation. Dandelion has also been used to ensure a plentiful supply of milk when breastfeeding. The inulin and bioflavonoids in dandelion encourage a healthy gut microbiome and support the vascular system.  
• Lemon balm is a wonderful soothing herb for pregnancy and beyond. Using this leaf can help settle nerves, anxiety, irritability and insomnia. It helps improve sleep and even mild depression.  
• Chock-full of nutrients, red raspberry leaf is a quintessential herb for pregnancy health. Red raspberry leaf tea may relieve nausea and constipation. It may be beneficial for expectant mothers with gestational hypertension and it’s anecdotally believed to be lactogenic.  

• Oatstraw is the stem of the oat plant and just like alfalfa, it’s used for livestock because it’s extremely nutritious. Offering relief for anxiety and depression, oatstraw promotes general wellness and also helps regulate the endocrine system. 
• Nettles are considered a foundational herb for all tea blends in pregnancy. A powerhouse of nutrition, nettle leaves are slightly diuretic and have a stabilizing effect on blood glucose. They’ve long been used as a gentle tonic to treat iron deficiency anemia, fatigue and varicosities. 
• A smart addition to most tea blends for taste as well as therapeutic properties, the peppermint leaf treats nausea and vomiting. The herb may boost energy, and relieve nausea and constipation. It is considered beneficial for women with gestational diabetes.  

Consult your personal midwife, doctor or nutritionist with health questions related to your pregnancy and postpartum journey. Access unlimited pregnancy-safe recipes, save favorites to your dashboard, create weekly meal plans and generate complete grocery lists. Subscribe for yourself or gift a subscription this Mother’s Day at pregnantandhungry.com.