Are you wondering if stinging nettles are safe for you?
Imagine a daily tea that would nourish your body, soothe anxiety and stress, and help you sleep better.
It sounds so simple and it is!
Here’s a quick warning, always check with your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or have any health concerns; especially taking diuretics.
Want to get started?
In this post, I’ll share how you can use stinging nettles during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond.
But first, grab this freebie to feel more confident using herbs while breastfeeding
What are Stinging Nettles?
Stinging nettles or Urtica dioica is a common weed found in North America and is most commonly known for the sting you get when you walk by. It can be cooked and eaten in popular recipes like nettle soup or nettle cheese, but its sting disappears when you cook it.
If you happen to get the kiss of the nettles, you can always search for Plantago major nearby – chew it up and place it on the sting to soothe the burn.
Personally, I love the sting as it signifies the start of Spring and “wakes up” my immune system.
Stinging Nettle Treatment
If you’ve received the kiss from Stinging nettles, don’t worry.
Find Plantago major, otherwise known as plantain, chew in your mouth, and apply to the red, sting area
Within moments your sting will subside
13 Stinging Nettles Benefits
There are so many benefits of stinging nettles during pregnancy and postpartum.
Stinging nettles…
are filled with vitamins A, C, K, and B
has minerals of CA, Iron {helps fight fatigue}, and Mg {helps soothe the nervous system}
may increase milk production
decreases allergies when using the freeze-dried nettles
decreases inflammation
decreases blood pressure
it controls blood sugar- have a cup with chocolate cake
fights fatigue
decreases the risk of iron-deficient anemia
reduces pelvic congestion
reduce caffeine and sugar cravings
prevents osteoporosis
prevents varicosities
So, Are nettles safe while nursing?
Stinging Nettles are considered a Level 1 herb by the German Commission E. and is safe while breastfeeding and during pregnancy
My favorite tea for breastfeeding moms is Earth Mama Milkmaid Tea which includes Stinging Nettles
One of the benefits of Stinging Nettles is to reduce seasonal allergies. Consider taking it 1-2 months daily before your allergy season begins.
The best method for reducing allergies is to take it in a “freeze-dried” form. This means the stinging hairs of the plant are preserved in the capsule.
You can open the capsule for children, animals and if you have poor digestion to take in a shake, tea or drink of your choice
I prefer to drink Stinging Nettles for all the vitamins & minerals, but you may want to use it as a tincture as well.
How to use stinging nettles for postpartum depression
Conclusion
Stinging nettles are one of the most beneficial botanicals to nourish our body with vitamins and minerals and ease the everyday stress of motherhood. Taken as tea, you’ll notice the soothing effects immediately.
Are you wondering how you can use natural remedies while nursing without worry?
In this post, I’ll cover the four simple steps you can take to use herbal medicine without fear during the nursing years.
But don’t forget, always check with your doctor before taking herbal medicine.
What teas are safe while breastfeeding?
Grab this freebie to get started.
So, what’s the secret?
#1 Do you have any allergies?
If you or your child’s father has a known allergy, stay away from these botanicals.
For example… Chamomile is the safest herb to take while breastfeeding, BUT if you have an allergy to the daisy or Asteraceae family avoid this botanical and the other herbs in its family altogether.
#2 Are you taking medications?
If you’re taking medication, you always want to check with your doctor before adding in botanicals.
For example, if you’re taking SSRIs, the biggest herb/drug interaction may be St. John’s Wort.
You would never want to take a botanical for which you are already taking conventional medication.
#3 Botanicals to avoid while nursing
There are botanicals you may want to avoid while nursing. Keep in mind, this is not a complete list but it will help you feel a bit more comfortable.
Some of the herbs on the list are not safe to take internally, but you may see they are suggested externally; like comfrey root for cracked nipples.
And, some of the herbs like Lemon Balm – will not hurt your child, but will affect the taste of the milk.
And lastly, some women have taken St. John’s Wort for postpartum depression; even though it is a Level 2/3 botanical.
The safest thing to do is try one herb at a time and wait and see.
You’re looking for adverse reactions in your child.
What are adverse reactions?
any changes in your child’s skin color
any allergic reactions
if they fall asleep – when it’s not nap time. This has happened with valerian root.
if they’re fussy, colicky, or unusually uncomfortable
Stop taking the botanical and wait.
Typically, when you’re child is three months or older their liver is able to process all medications and it’s a safe time to introduce Level 1 botanicals.
In a nutshell, you’ll want to know which herbs are safe to take internally versus externally and the lactation risk categories determined by studies. {pubmed is a good source}
Then decide if you want to take the herb as a tea, tincture, or externally for mastitis or cracked nipples.
Wondering how to use Ashwagandha while breastfeeding?
Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, native to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and part of Africa; has become very popular in the past year; possibly due to Covid and all the stress we’ve endured.
It’s the ONE botanical, that helped me shift out of postpartum depression as it is an adaptogen; helps us adapt to stress.
So, How do you take Ashwagandha? It’s simple, let me show you how.
In this post, I’ll share the benefits of using Ashwagandha, dosing, and safety concerns.
Ashwagandha Benefits for Women
Bitter, warm, and dry, Ashwagandha is best known for its calming effects without sedating you. That means, you can take it in the morning and you won’t feel groggy all day.
But, you can also take it at night if you wake and cannot go back to sleep.
Known to give you the strength and stamina of a stallion, it will enhance your sleep so that you wake up feeling more rested than before.
In Ayurveda, it’s considered a Rasayana; “one of the herbs that reportedly promotes youth and longevity and alleviates suffering”.¹
David Winston adds: “It’s known to prolong your life, stimulate your mind and enhance vigor and sexual prowess”. ²
Ashwagandha While Breastfeeding
It’s considered safe for breastfeeding. Lactation Category C or compatible with breastfeeding by Mills & Bones ³
It can re-regulate the thyroid & adrenal glands {a common concern postpartum} Better for hypothyroidism.
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
Powder: Take 1 tsp. in warm milk with ghee at night for a good night’s rest
>>Always start with a small amount to see how you and your baby respond!
Is Ashwagandha Safe?
Mills & Bones suggest no warnings or precautions with Withania, but at high doses, you may get gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, or vomiting.
David Winston suggests:
avoid using the herb if you’re sensitive to plants in the nightshade family – but this could be a case-by-case situation
Do not use the powder internally if you have excess iron
He also suggests avoiding the use if you have hyperthyroidism, as Ashwagandha can increase T4 and maybe T3
David Winston also suggests avoiding it during pregnancy. Still, Mills & Bones consider it a Category B1: Studies in animals have not shown evidence of an increase in the occurrence of fetal damage. So, it’s a bit confusing if you’re pregnant and want to try Withania.
Also, caution may be needed if you have auto-immune conditions as it increases T1 activity.
How do you know an herb is safe while breastfeeding? Read this post:
Ashwagandha is commonly available as a churna, a finely sieved powder that can be mixed with water, ghee (clarified butter), or honey. ⁴
In India, the Ashwagandha powder was traditionally used in milk and taken at night to help you sleep better.
The popular company Apothekary, has made this easier for us to integrate once again.
Is Ashwagandha Safe While Breastfeeding?
The popular researchers; Simon Mills & Kerry Bones list Ashwagandha as a Lactation category C; Yes, compatible with breastfeeding.
Withania is used to promote lactation in Ayurvedic medicine and the traditional medicine of south-east Asia. – Mills & Bones
* Powder Dosing: 1 tsp. of Withania powder may be given 2x day with milk for insufficient lactation. ³
Dr. Aviva Romm also suggests it’s a Level 1; the safest herb to be used during lactation in her book Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. ⁵
When to take Ashwagandha
For my moms who are breastfeeding, I always suggest trying one herb at a time to see how you and your baby respond. If it’s safe, you can take it as a blended tincture with motherwort to ease stress.
I prefer taking tinctures, but have just explored the powdered version and enjoy it in my hot cocoa or coffee!
Conclusion
Ashwagandha is considered a Level 1 or safe while breastfeeding unless you have hyperthyroidism you may want to choose another adaptogen. It’s calming, but not sedating so you can take it any time of day. Traditionally, it was used as a powder, but I enjoy using it as a tincture 2-3x day. It’s considered an adaptogen, so it can help take you out of the “fight or flight” response and help ease tension and stress. As always, check with your doctor before adding any new botanicals to your diet.
I’d love to know your thoughts.
Have you tried Ashwagandha? Let us know below in the comment area💕
Are you a mom looking to increase your milk supply naturally?
As a momma of twins, I attempted to breastfeed for 3 weeks but had to stop due to recurring mastitis.
One of the key factors to increase your milk supply is restoring your nervous system. Along with galactagogues, you’ll want to add in nervines and adaptogens to soothe your stress as a new mom.
In this video, I share the 4 botanicals you want to take to boost your milk supply, along with herbs to help soothe your nervous system. Click below to watch.
4 Galactagogues to Boost your Milk Supply
Along with the botanicals, make sure you reach out to a lactation consultant to ensure you’re child has a good latch.
Worried about using herbs during the breastfeeding years? Grab this freebie to feel confident today!
4 Herbs to Boost Your Milk Supply
#1 Marshmallow root tea
You can purchase marshmallow root {I like www.mountainroseherbs.com} bring to a boil and simmer covered for 20 minutes. This also soothes your gut lining and aids digestion.
#2 Oats and barley
Add oatmeal and barley to your diet to ease digestion and boost your milk supply.
#3 Hops
Purchase hops as a tincture and add it to your water to take daily
#4 Fenugreek
Look for mother’s milk tea or take a tincture or supplement.
4 herbs to Promote relaxation when nursing
Lavender
Motherwort
Chamomile
Blue vervain
Conclusion
It’s important that you feel relaxed when breastfeeding. There are many herbal remedies to help boost your milk supply and soothe your racing heart – funny enough these also soothe a colicky baby.
Botanicals can be a beautiful addition to the breastfeeding years and help you shift into each season with grace and ease.
In this post, I’m going to share my 16+ favorite herbal remedies to help you navigate the various symptoms you’ll experience while breastfeeding and which botanicals are safe for you.
So, the #1 question moms always want to know is…
What do I drink to increase my breast milk?
Galactagogues are the main category of herbs you’ll want to include to boost your milk supply.
But, keep in mind, that you’ll also want to address your stress as this can also decrease your milk supply.
So, if you’re experiencing a decrease in milk consider adding in the botanicals I suggest AND work on decreasing your stress.
The first 12 botanicals are to boost your milk supply.
12 Galactagogues Herbs To Increase Your Milk Supply
Marshmallow Root (Althea Officinalis)
Dill (Anethum graveolum)
Oats (Avena sativa) A cup of oatmeal every morning may help soothe digestion and increase milk supply!
Adaptogens are a category of herbs that help us “adapt” to stress. They are life-changing for the momma struggling with the baby blues or PPD or just the daily stresses of raising a family.
The #1 Adaptogen that is safe to take while breastfeeding is Ashwagandha. {along with Tulsi and Stinging Nettles as well}
Phytolacca Symptoms: “For sore, cracked nipples, which hurt when the baby nurses. One of the most commonly used remedies for mastitis, especially where the pains radiate from the affected area and the breast is hard and lumpy. The patient may feel heavy with flu-like symptoms, or may have a breast abscess threatening.” ¹
Along with Echinacea, this helped resolve the inflammation within minutes when I had mastitis. If you’re having these symptoms, consider Phytolacca as a remedy. Click here to purchase.
Dosing: Take 2 tablets, wait 20 minutes, take another 2 and you should see improvement.
The next two botanicals you can use EXTERNALLY to heal ANY skin cuts, scrapes, or wounds; even for your children!
#15 Calendula Externally
Botanicals For Sore, Cracked Nipples
Calendula is a beautiful botanical for sore, cracked nipples and for diaper rash!
Calendula is used topically and EXTERNALLY for the treatment of minor inflammations of the skin. Typically used as an oil or salve. Apply to cracked, dry nipples to prevent infection and soothe inflammation and wipe thoroughly before breastfeeding.
Caution: The oil or salve may stain clothing and although there are no known risks with minimal ingestion, wipe off your nipple before breastfeeding again.
#16 Chamomile Externally
The German Commission E. approves chamomile for the use of skin inflammation and bacterial skin diseases. Chamomile Matricaria oil has demonstrated activity against Candida albicans at the concentration of .7%.¹ {think thrush!}
Taking preventative steps to support your immune system, rest, and applying an herbal salve will prevent cracked nipples which may increase your risk of mastitis.
Chamomile is also safe to drink as tea as well to help soothe your nerves and help reduce bloating that may occur for you and your baby. Keep in mind, if you or your baby’s father has an allergy to Chamomile you’ll want to avoid this botanical.
If nipples are sore or cracked, gently rinse and pat dry after each feeding
Avoid the use of breast pads, when possible, and spend time without a bra
Wash nursing bras regularly to avoid infection
Treat oral thrush in the newborn with yogurt and probiotics to prevent the spread to the nipple. You can coat the inside of your baby’s mouth with yogurt or offer them an infant probiotic. Mom can take one as well!
Apply an herbal salve several times a day after nursing and wipe off before nursing again
When there is an infection, use an antimicrobial – like Echinacea internally – to support the mother’s immune system
Herbs For Plugged Ducts & Mastitis
Milk ducts can become inflamed, tender, and distended creating a ‘plugged duct’.
In mastitis, the plugged duct is accompanied by infection and fever.
Home remedies for colds during breastfeeding
Echinacea Tincture Internally
Boost your immunity with Echinacea tincture. In Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years, Susan Weed recommends a dose of a 1/2 drop for every pound of body weight (so a 130 lb woman would take 65 drops/day) for mastitis, but you can also take Echinacea for the common cold, flu, and sore throat as well!
Dosing: 20-30 drops of a tincture in 1/4 cup of water 3-4x day
Botanicals can provide great support during the breastfeeding years to reduce medications and save your child’s gut health. I found great comfort in these remedies when I was trying to breastfeed twins!
Stress is one of the most overlooked pieces of the puzzle during postpartum time. It’s important to learn how to soothe your nervous system now, so that when you begin weaning you have many botanicals to reach for to help you through the transition of motherhood. I teach you how on my Youtube channel @tarajgregorio.
I’d love to know if you’ve tried any of these botanicals. Write in the comment area if you have any questions, and I’ll be sure to get back to you. 👇 {looking for references? see below 💕}
