Birth & Breastfeeding Resources 

  As one whom his mother comforts so shall I (God) comfort you in Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:11                                                           

 Along the bank of the of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither nor will their fruit fail. They will bear fruit every month, because water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine. Ezekiel 47:12

Anti-galactagogues- milk driers.  These have been mentioned in weaning, but are in more detail about the herb. When you read this you are most likely to think of the Simon and Garfunkle tune Scarborough Fair. The songs and herbs have little in common. 

Parsley used traditionally as a diuretic and fluid balancer.  Petroselinium crispum usually will help women with additional swelling post birth. It usually makes them urinate a lot. However a meal of tabouli will dry your supply. it is also used to treat lower urinary tract problems and soothing for those with kidney stones.  It is also an emmenagogue (starts your period) so this one not to be used except in light amounts during pregnancy. Also do not use if you have an inflammatory kidney condition. 

Sage is antibacterial as well as diuretic in nature. Salvia officinales is also quite bitter. Notice that small amounts in your turkey dressing are fine. Large amounts however dry and help dry quickly. Sage is also used as a gargle to ease sore throats. When used with caution sage is used to treat oversupply and over active let-down reflex. It is used assist to treat wounds and ulcers. this is why some women use it to treat mastitis with oversupply. 

Rosemary is a nice little spice. Used for remembrance and is great in a bath after delivery. It helps the body to just relax. It is a uterine stimulant and not for use in pregnancy. it 

Thyme, it is a wonderful garden spice that with its constituent thymol is a meat preservative, uterine stimulant and carminative. it has been used with whooping cough  and assists in promoting perspiration with feverish conditions. it is a powerful antiseptic. It is also used a vermifuge. Most diuretics eventually dry milk supplies. 

Mints  are known for their tummy soothing properties. They are give after meals to help with gas and bloating. However cooling they tend to dry milk supplies. They are gentle and more tasty than the other herbs presented here. They are sometimes used with sage to help with the flavor. Mints can help with oversupply.

Lac- caninum- is actually a homeopathic remedy, caninum for dog, lac milk. It works very  efficiently and quickly to dry milk or deal with oversupply. If you need to dry quickly use the 30c or 200c for best results.

Cabbage is really a neat vegetable. There are studies comparing compresses of cabbage and ice packs with similar results. In my practice I see women who use this comfortably. it seems to contain natural sulfur compounds and a natural pain relievers. Just use clean cool leaves. If you are combating engorgement just use it for 20 minutes 3- 4 times daily. If drying up it needs to be rotated after the leaves are wilted. It takes fresh leaves to work. Rotate the leaves for 24 or so hours. Never use it heated as it aggravates engorgement, pain and inflammation.