Safe Herbal Remedies for Pregnant Women

From hemorrhoids to vaginal yeast infections, pregnant women face many physical changes. When looking for relief from the pangs and pains of pregnancy, many women consider herbal remedies as a way to ease the discomfort and symptoms associated with common complaints, such as morning sickness, swelling in the legs, and nausea. In this article, you will learn about some of the natural remedies that are safe for pregnant women to take.

Morning Sickness

The feeling that you are going to throw up is a common complaint of women that are pregnant. It is one of the infamous indicators that a woman is pregnant in the first place. However, despite its name, this sensation is not always a morning problem. Some women will battle morning sickness at all times of the day and night. Usually, the feeling is felt between the 4th and 6th week of pregnancy and can last until you reach between your 14th and 16th week.

With a variety of causes, it is usually hard to pinpoint the exact reason you feel like vomiting all of the time. It could be low blood pressure, poor diet, the ups and downs of hormones, food allergies, low blood sugar, and stress. To ease symptoms of morning sickness and nausea, consider the following herbs:

·    German Chamomile: Create an infusion in a covered container that you will sip in small quantities throughout the day. Make sure that you do not exceed five cups of infusion per day.

·    Ginger: Use ½ to 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger per cup of water to make an infusion to treat the urge to vomit. When taking this remedy, you should sip small amounts throughout the day instead of drinking an entire cup like some remedies suggest. The maximum number of cups to drink is three in one day.

·    Fennel: Using ½ teaspoon of fennel seeds per cup of water, make an infusion that you will drink up to three cups per day.

Constipation

The further along you become in a pregnancy, the higher your chances become of suffering a bout of constipation. Growing pressure in the body pushes against the lower bowel and can significantly affect circulation. Psyllium is a common ingredient found in over-the-counter remedies for constipation, such as Metamucil. You may also use psyllium seeds to treat a sluggish bowel system. With a large glass of water in hand, you can take 1 to 2 teaspoons of seeds. For best results, it is suggested to soak seeds in cold water overnight. Linseed can be used as a substitution to psyllium. To encourage faster results, increase your intake of dried fruit, especially figs.

Stretch Marks

Pregnancy causes the body to swell and right around the corner is the threat of stretch marks, which threatens the elasticity of the skin. To lessen the aftermath of stretch marks during pregnancy, consider the following suggestions:

·    Aloe Vera: Rub aloe vera gel over areas that stretch marks appear.

·    Olive Oil: With firm fingers, massage olive oil into the skin for 1 to 2 times per day.