In this post, I’ll share how I learned herbal medicine, who I studied with, and what I specialize in so you can decide where to go when you’re seeking an alternative treatment.
Let’s get started.
So, how do you find an herbalist?
Herbalist near me
Google would be the first place to search. But, many herbalists take sessions virtually or even offer online education.
I would write down your symptoms, and what type of teacher you’re seeking and ask for a referral from friends.
If you meet with an acupuncturist, they may also be able to guide you toward herbal remedies.
Herbalist certification
There are so many amazing master herbalists to study from. Here are some of my teachers
My women’s health go-to is Dr. Aviva Romm. I completed the very intense Herbal Medicine for Women’s Health, as well as her children’s health courses. You can learn more here: https://avivaromm.com/courses/herbal-medicine-for-women/
It’s a certification through Dr. Aviva Romm covering all herbal remedies from menarche to menopause.
I’ve completed this certification and offer online education and virtual sessions.
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Tara, “what do you specialize in”?
I love getting to the root cause of your symptoms. Here are some of my specialties.
Natural remedies for anxiety
We dive into your gut health, daily diet, and herbs to support heart palpitations and sleep. I also incorporate breathing and meditative exercises from my eighteen years of teaching Pilates, yoga, and movement.
New treatment for fibroids without surgery
From personal experience, I’ve learned how to stop the flooding that comes with fibroids and reduce the pain naturally with herbal medicine. My private health consultations would be great for you if you’re struggling with pain from fibroids.
Your body has a great capacity to heal
\Natural remedies for PMS mood swings
PMS and PMDD stem from poor liver health. In my private health consultations, we’ll discuss how to support your liver with diet, supplements, and herbs to reduce your monthly symptoms.
Natural remedies for perimenopause
Hot flashes, insomnia, short or long cycles. This season of change can be very challenging, but herbs can support you immensely. In a health consultation, we can focus on your current symptoms and the EXACT herbs to help you transition into menopause with grace.
Herbs for bladder irritation and UTIs
UTIs or urinary tract infections can be very painful. And they all stem from your gut health. By “healing your gut”, improving your digestion and elimination you can reduce and stop UTIs for years to come.
Herbal remedies for a yeast infection
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Why do you use herbal medicine?
Your medications are affecting your gut health. When your gut health is affected, your whole immune system can change. Even though this post is for children’s health, it explains why I love herbal and homeopathic medicine.
We discuss your sleep, any changes in your cycle, your diet, supplements, and any new stressors at home.
I inquire about your #1 symptoms and each week we look at different suggestions to get to the root cause of this.
I ask you to write down a 3-day diet. And, send me pictures of the supplements you are currently taking.
You may also want to have blood work done and get tested for the MTHFR gene. Many of my clients have one or two of the SNPs affecting their ability to detoxify.
I offer a 30-day transformational package. This includes 3 private, virtual sessions and 30 days of unlimited support.
After each session, you’ll receive a detailed email with my suggestions.
You can choose what herbs to purchase based on my suggestions.
Natural remedies for a cold
If you hate using conventional medication and need more support when you’re sick; book a 30-min call with Tara to get the EXACT remedies you need to help you feel better faster.
Herbalists take a “full picture” approach with their sessions. The body always works together. From a women’s health perspective, I inquire about your diet, supplements, sleep, cycle of your period, and any additional stressors you are having at home.
From my 18+ years in fitness, I always make suggestions for breathing exercises and inquire about your pelvic floor health, and offer tips to help soothe your nervous system. This is usually the crux of all illnesses.
10-20% of moms experience postpartum depression lasting a few months and up to a year {or more} after birth ¹
And, up to 20% of women report feelings of anxiousness, sadness, depression, panic, frustration, and feeling hopeless.
What does this mean for you?
You need a postpartum plan.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the five most common mistakes I see moms making when they have postpartum depression and anxiety. Ready to get started? Join this 5-day email challenge.
Several studies have suggested that breastfeeding could help protect women against PPD ²
Yet, many women complain that their doctor has suggested they stop breastfeeding due to postpartum depression.
Breastfeeding could help reduce your postpartum depression. And although it’s time-consuming and exhausting, breastfeeding may help you sleep better due to your hormones and ease of feeding in the middle of the night.
There is an enormous amount of depletion after childbirth. This, along with sleep deprivation can lead to insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Watch this video, to learn my favorite supplements to take after each and every birth.
If you’re struggling with insomnia, you need deep nourishment. You’ll want to stop drinking coffee and/or alcohol and address your nutrient gaps.
It may take time, but keep with it and soon you’ll be able to fall asleep every time you’re woken in the middle of the night. Watch this video to learn my favorite remedies for insomnia.
#4 You don’t take an adaptogen
What’s an adaptogen? They help us “adapt” to stress. And, if there was ever a stressful time, it’s when you have children! Here is one adaptogen you can take while breastfeeding, there are others I’ll be writing about real soon.
#5 You don’t address your mindset
Becoming a mother is life-changing. We crave our old selves. Those who struggle, are experiencing a shamanic death. The death of the old you, shedding into the new version of yourself.
By changing your thoughts, you can learn to fall in love with motherhood.
#6 You don’t take enough nervines
Nervines are a category of herbs that help soothe our anxiety. And, as I mentioned above anxiety & depression go hand-in-hand.
You want to soothe your anxiety and stress if you’re struggling with postpartum anxiety and/or depression. Watch this video to learn my favorite remedies.
#7 You only take medication
Anxiety medications can be so helpful when you’re struggling with anxiety and depression and raising a family. But, keep in mind you can also work on your nutrient gaps, insomnia, and anxiety WHILE taking medications.
It’s not the end. By making self-care a priority, your body can heal. It’s not selfish and anyone who tells you it is, is not worth your time.
#8 You don’t see a therapist
This is the biggest mistake I made when I had postpartum depression. I didn’t want the therapist to judge me! But, after my husband passed away, I knew I needed therapy for the trauma, and wow did it change my life!
Watch this video to see how EMDR can help you through PPA & PPD.
You don’t have to struggle with anxiety and depression for years. Ask for help!
What’s stopping you? Let me know in the comments below.
Wondering if you should be taking Ashwagandha or St. John’s Wort for postpartum depression {PPD} and anxiety?
One of the biggest mistakes I made when I had PPD was just taking one herbal tincture at a time.
You need a COMBINATION of botanicals when you’re struggling with depression and/or anxiety.
But, wait. Don’t overdo it.
Finding a supplement that combines BOTH herbs would be best, rather than taking the full dosing of each herb alone; especially if you’re breastfeeding.
So, let’s dive in.
What are the benefits of Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha Benefits
Known to give you the strength of stallions, It’s an adaptogen, mild sedative, pain reliever, and anti-inflammatory.
It can re-regulate the thyroid & adrenal glands {a common concern postpartum}
It’s effective in helping if you have anxiety, fatigue, cloudy thinking, and insomnia
It’s rich in iron and can be used to treat iron deficiency when taken as a powder * see below
It can relieve muscle pain and cloudy thinking
Dosing
Take 4-10 ml a day for acute pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, tired and wired, hypothyroidism, PMS, postpartum depression & stress
Breastfeeding safety: Category C or compatible with breastfeeding by Mills & Bones ³
Caution: Keep in mind, it’s not to be used during pregnancy, and caution if you’re taking medications
Watch this video as I discuss the difference between Ashwagandha and St. John’s Wort
Is Ashwagandha safe while Breastfeeding?
It’s considered a Level 1 by the German Commission E. if you’re breastfeeding. Yes, it’s safe!
It’s also antiviral {herpes}, nervines, can be used topically as well as a vulnerably
Use St. John’s Wort for:
chronic pelvic pain
endometriosis
insomnia
PMS
perimenopause
vulvovaginitis
topically cracked nipples and perineum – Just make sure you wipe it off before breastfeeding!
But, if you’re taking SSRIs or other medications it is the #1 herb/drug interaction so please consult your doctor before taking
St. John’s Wort and Postpartum Depression
Is St. John’s Wort safe while Breastfeeding?
The German Commission E Considers it an L2/3 while breastfeeding, but there are no known contraindications
>>In one Study; Hyperforin was detected in low concentrations in the breast milk of moms who took 300mg of SJW 3xday starting 5 months Postpartum for Postpartum Depression and no adverse effects were found
Watch this video as I explain more..
What is St. John’s Wort good for?
good for mild/moderate depression
Keep in mind, that it’s not to be used during pregnancy
In Summary
Ashwagandha is more of an adaptogen and nervine; it’s great to take when you can’t sleep. It’s considered safe to take while breastfeeding. St. John’s Wort {SJW} is more for mild depression, baby blues, and monthly depression. One additional benefit is SJW, which may increase the breakdown of estrogen and therefore may boost progesterone levels – which may be affecting your sleep and postpartum recovery.
Have you tried these botanicals? I’d love to answer any questions you may have. Post them in the comment area and I’ll be sure to answer them.
It’s frustrating when you’re not feeling like yourself.
What if we could break through postpartum depression without medications?
Just imagine.. sleeping through the night, not yelling and crying so much. Feeling joy again.
The truth?
It takes more than herbal medicine to help you heal depression.
Don’t forget
your mental health matters
So do what you need to do, to take care of your children right now.
What’s the magic formula?
Adaptogens + nervines + therapy + gut healing
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In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned about Postpartum depression and how you can begin to heal your body; even if you’re taking medications or breastfeeding.
How does Postpartum Depression (PPD) happen?
The cause of PPD remains unknown, but some suggested reasons are…
The rapid changes in hormones during the postpartum period and the inability to flush them out postpartum
Thyroid insufficiency (The thyroid can go from Hyperthyroid to Hypothyroidism 2-5 months after birth)
A rapid drop in insulin levels
Inadequate vitamins & minerals
Mother-child separation and negative birth experience/trauma
Write about your trauma. Draw a picture of how you are feeling. The postpartum time is really hard. Talk about it.
#3 Get adequate rest
Sleep deprivation is real – especially if you’re a mom of multiples!
Ask someone to watch the kids, sleep, and rest.
The house will be a mess, let it be.
You need to restore your health.
#4 Optimize nutrition
It has been suggested women are lacking valuable nutrients during the postpartum period.
When I opened my eyes after childbirth, it looked like a war zone! So much blood.
With that amount of blood loss, I had to restore my body with valuable vitamins.
The 6 must-have Postpartum Supplements
Essential Fatty Acids – important for a healthy nervous system. It is recommended to supplement with 1-3 g/day of fish oil with DHA and EPA to reduce depression.
B vitamins – needed for the growth of red blood cells, energy levels, and proper nerve function
Zinc – known to boost immunity, reduce viral illnesses, and aid gut health, add Zinc to your diet to restore your overall health.
Iron – A mineral vital to the proper function of hemoglobin, a protein needed to transport oxygen in the blood. Liver and red meat are the #1 sources of iron. If you are anemic, you can add in Floradix; a non-constipating, herbal iron supplement.
Probiotics – If you’ve had a C-section or digestive issues, adding a probiotic 2-3 months after birth can help your body AND also reduce allergies in your child’s health. I like Klair probiotics.
Magnesium – to soothe anxiety and reduce constipation
#5 Eat often to prevent insulin drops
Low blood sugar, can have a dramatic effect on your mood. Add healthy fat and protein with each meal.
#6 Incorporate botanicals to soothe anxiety
Your anxiety & depression matters and it’s not going away anytime soon!
Learn how to use herbs when you breastfeeding, to make life easier.
Look for Class 1 botanicals to use if you’re breastfeeding to soothe anxiety and boost your energy. {Pin the image!}
A cup of Chamomile and Lemon Balm tea with a tincture of motherwort can do wonders for your stress.
Herbs for depression
Consider incorporating St. John’s wort if you feel comfortable. Watch this video to learn how you can add it in safely:
#7 Add adaptogens to ease sleep deprivation
Adaptogens help us “adapt around stress”. These miracle herbs can help you overcome postpartum depression – naturally.
PPD can begin 2-3 weeks postpartum and can last up to a year or longer.
Symptoms include agitation, anxiety, and panic attacks, confusion, despair, guilt, hopelessness, loneliness, nightmares, thoughts of hurting oneself or the baby.
There are no punctuations of happiness or elation.
Where do you go for Postpartum Depression support?
“You can also contact our warmline directly and speak to a volunteer who will provide support, information, and resources where you live. Leave a message on our warmline 1.800.944.4773, and one of our volunteers will call you back asap. Calls are returned within 24 hours, and typically within a few hours of your request. If you are in crisis or need more immediate help…please call 911 or call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.”
Conclusion
Your mental health matters and there is no shame in taking medication while you work on your health. If you choose not to take medications, herbal remedies can help soothe your nervous system and ease the tension and depression in your body.
The goal is to get to the root cause of this: usually, our inability to soothe our nervous system and detoxify the hormones. Supporting your liver in clearing excessive hormones from your body will be your #1 guide to healing.
Do you have questions about healing depression? I’d love to help. Leave them in the comment area and I’ll get back to you.
Tara
References:
Romm, Aviva: Botanicals Medicine For Women’s Health
Why are you awake while everyone else is sleeping?
I spent twenty-four long months with insomnia before I discovered why this was happening to me.
In this post, we’ll discuss why postpartum insomnia happens and the natural remedies to help soothe you back to sleep.
What is postpartum insomnia?
It’s when you cannot sleep after childbirth. Usually, you’ll notice when everyone else is sleeping and you’re awake – that is a true sign.
9 Postpartum insomnia symptoms
anxiety when bedtime comes
unable to go back to sleep after a feeding
awake at night when everyone else is sleeping
OR anticipating a feeding, so you wake up to be prepared for when your child wakes
waking up @ 5:00 am with your heart beating out of your chest
anxiety during the day or excessive heart palpitations
tired @ 3:00pm
you may feel a bit depressed as well
if your cycle has returned you may feel this more the week before your period
Can postpartum hormones cause insomnia?
Yes! Your body is trying to flush out all of the hormones from your pregnancy AND if you’ve had twins, it’s been said you may struggle with postpartum insomnia more due to these excessive hormones.
Additionally, when your cycle returns – you may notice you get insomnia before your period due to excessive estrogen and the inability to clear it from your body.
So, detoxifying the postpartum hormones with sweating and a whole foods diet is very important to healing.
We’ll go over this in The Present Momma training.
How long can postpartum insomnia last?
It can last years. Typically, women stop calling themselves “postpartum” after they reach a certain date – 6 months or a year, but insomnia began after childbirth.
So, why does postpartum insomnia happen?
There are many reasons, but some of them include:
sleep deprivation – your sleep gets interrupted night after night and loses it’s rhythm
hormones – after birth, your body is trying to detox from all of the hormones you’ve had in your body for eight months. If you have poor detoxification pathways, you may struggle more.
anxiety – when you don’t sleep for weeks or months this turns into postpartum anxiety and then depression
environment – if you don’t feel comfortable in your home or bedroom you may experience insomnia
trauma – or unresolved trauma that comes out after pregnancy
Treatment for postpartum insomnia
We want to get to the root cause of your insomnia. What I’m finding in most of my clients are two recurring themes
#1 The MTHFR SNPs and inability to detox excessive hormones
#2 Most of us struggling postpartum, tend to have excessive estrogen and cannot clear it naturally.
#3 Medications don’t work for us, possibly due to the MTHFR gene and we’re searching for natural remedies to support us.
Here are 5 ways to heal postpartum insomnia naturally
#1 Homeopathy for postpartum insomnia
As the alcohol in tinctures may bother you and make your insomnia worse, you may want to try homeopathy to support your insomnia. Here are my favorite remedies.
#2 Address postpartum adrenal fatigue
#3 Address your trauma
Seek a therapist to work through any unresolved trauma. Watch this video, as I talk with my therapist about how my postpartum thoughts came back when my husband passed away.
#4 Skip the coffee and integrate these drinks everyday
#5 Add in nervines’ to soothe your nervous system
Nervines are a category of herbs that help soothe our nervous system.
They can be gentle, like Chamomile or more intense as a sedative like California poppy.
By soothing your nervous system with herbal medicine and other holistic techniques – you’ll discover you can sleep more soundly
Here are my favorite botanicals to soothe insomnia
#6 Add in postpartum adaptogens
My first breakthrough with insomnia was when I added in a new adaptogen called, Ashwagandha. Adaptogens can help us come out of fight or flight and prevent burnout.
You can overcome postpartum insomnia when we get to the root cause of your anxiety; healing your nervous system. It takes time, but know it is possible to heal. Of course, when you don’t sleep this turns into more anxiety, anxiety about sleeping and then depression may set it.
Are you considering St. John’s Wort {SJW} for postpartum depression?
Even though It’s become the most popular alternative to pharmaceuticals for depression in Europe and the US, it’s so much more than the “depression herb”.
Let’s dive in.
Here’s my promise to you, by the end of this post you’ll understand the risk/benefit ratio and determine if SJW is right for you and the ONE person who should not take St. john’s wort.
St. John’s Wort can be useful for some types of depression, but it also has great benefits for anxiety, grief, melancholia, estrogen clearance, and numbness due to nerve pains and/or damage.
But, Is St. John’s Wort Safe While Breastfeeding?
Here are three References
#1 St. John’s Wort is considered a Level 2/3 by the German Commission E. in Dr. Aviva Romms Book; Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health¹.
What does that mean?
Level 2: Safer; Limited studies demonstrated, but no increased risk
Level 3: Moderately Safe; No controlled studies in breastfeeding women or controlled studies demonstrate minimal adverse effects
There are limited studies that show no increased risk in the child’s health.Many studies have been flawed due to the poor use of extracts or questionable preparation of the product.
:: In one study, women ingested 300 mg of St. John’s Wort a day and low levels of hyperforin were detected in breastmilk, however, no constitutes of the herbs was detectable in the babies plasma and no adverse effects were observed in either. Source
#2 Lactation and medication expert Thomas Hale & Hilary Rowe authors of Medications and Mothers milk suggest transfer to milk are minimal and appears to be safe during lactation. ¹
However, one infant in each group was reported to be colicky, but there was no change in milk production and weight of the infants ¹
#3 The essential guide to herbal safety by Mills & Bones considers St. John’s Wort a Lactation Category CC. Compatible with breastfeeding, but use caution. ²
It appears the most common side effects would be colic, drowsiness, and lethargy giving the mother a signal to stop taking the botanical
And, keep in mind.. a small percentage of women have an increase in depression when they take St. John’s Wort.
So, if you notice any adverse effects, stop taking the supplement or tincture.
St. John’s Wort Dosing
Personally, I prefer to take SJW as a tincture.
I like to test one herb at a time. Then, when I feel comfortable, I like to use a combined tincture of SJW and nervines to soothe the nervous system.
Tincture Dosing: 40-60 drops; 3-4x day
Capsules: 300- 350mg of standardized extract 3x day {0-3% total hypericin}
St. John’s Wort Postpartum Benefits
Internally, you can take St. John’s Wort as a tincture or supplement for:
sciatica
as an antiviral to reduce cold symptoms
seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
menopause
Monthly PMS blues
mild/moderate depression
** My favorite reason to take SJW is for detoxification to reduce excessive estrogen levels and to reduce PMS & PMDD
Externally, it has many benefits as well.
When you place the flowers in St. John’s Wort in oil, it turns red. Use this oil externally/topically for:
spinal/ nerve injuries due to childbirth
vulvodynia (vaginal pain)
also for first-degree burns, bruises, bites, and puncture wounds
Can you take St. John’s Wort for Postpartum depression?
Who should avoid St. John’s Wort?
SJW is well-known for enhancing liver detoxification, which reduces the blood flow of many medications.
Anyone taking the following medications should skip SJW for now
Avoid St. John’s Wort if you’re taking warfarin, digoxin, protease inhibitors, organ transplant antirejection drugs, or chemotherapy
Use caution with oral contraception
Use under a physician’s supervision if you’re taking antidepressants
In large doses, you may notice photosensitivity to sunlight and want to avoid this
It’s also contraindicated during pregnancy, however, safety studies are lacking
In short…
St. john’s wort can be used during breastfeeding when you purchase a standardized product from a reputable company. Standardization of the herb is to guarantee that the consumer is getting a product in which the chemistry is consistent from batch to batch.
Look for 300 mg 3x day to decrease postpartum depression and watch for adverse effects like colic, lethargy, and an increase in depression in mom.
Keep in mind, it takes a comprehensive approach to overcome postpartum depression and this is just one part of the puzzle.
Nervines are also needed to soothe the nervous system after childbirth.
Ashwagandha vs St. John’s Wort
Can’t decide where to begin? Watch this video.
xo
Tara
P.S. Have you tried St. John’s Wort? What was your experience? Let us know. 👇
References:
References
¹ Romm, Aviva; Botanicals Medicine for Women’s Health pg 887 ²Mills & Bones: The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety Hale & Rowe; Medications & Mother’s Milk https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16566628/#:~:text=The%20only%20existing%20report%20on,John’s%20wort. https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/lactation_risk_cat/https://www.infantrisk.com/content/drug-entry-human-milk
