Description
Brewing Instructions
Infusion is a ‘brew’ made from dried herbs and boiling water, like tea, only much stronger. To prepare infusion, place 1 cup of dried herbs in a glass quart- sized jar, pour boiling water over herbs, cover and let stand 4-10 hours. Strain, reheat or chill as you wish, and drink! The recommended daily amount is about 1 quart, though there is no toxic upper-limit. The result of this brewing method is a product much more like food than a beverage- containing loads of minerals, vitamins, and other nutritional and medicinal qualities, which your body can easily assimilate without further work from your digestive system.
About This Specialty Blend
Whole chapters can be written about the virtues of each of the herbs in this blend, but this information is meant to highlight the primary benefit each herb offers specifically during the wild and tender first few weeks/months after giving birth.
Lemon Balm ~ Melissa officinalis
This lovely herb, a member of the very large mint family, is known for it’s ability to improve the mood, and lighten the heart. It acts gently but powerfully on the nervous system (it is classified as a Nervine herb) and can be a great ally in easing anxiety and/or depression. Lemon Balm is an anti-viral plant, and therefore a good one for keeping Herpes simplex virus at bay, both through it’s anti-viral action and also since it helps alleviate the harmful effects of stress-a known cause of Herpes outbreaks. Using this herb during the tender time of the first few months postpartum can be a good way to keep your spirits up, stay calm and relaxed, alleviate exhaustion, stay as stress-free as possible, and it tastes delicious!
Oatstraw ~ Avena sativa
There are few herbs as helpful as Oatstraw when it comes to the postpartum period, both as a galactagogue herb, one which supports and encourages a healthy milk supply, and also for it’s ability to smooth frazzled herbs (another Nervine). It is a mucilaginous plant which moistens and soothes irritated tissue (think tears, hemorrhoids, nipples, etc), which keeps the body in a pliable, healing- conducive state. It is deeply nourishing, especially rich in magnesium-a premier mineral for keeping the cardio-vascular system and blood pressure in a happy place, as well as easing muscle aches and pains. Think of it as a shoulder-rub in a cup! Though it is relaxing it is also energizing, mainly by virtue of the incredible nutrition it packs and the way the nourishment gets cell-deep in your body.
Stinging Nettle ~ Urtica dioica
Nettle can steady the nerves, even out mood swings, and is adaptogenic, which means it helps to lessen the harmful impacts of stress on your body. It nourishes and has a restorative effect on the kidneys, which are under a huge strain during pregnancy, as well as the adrenal glands, which are generally taxed by modern day life, including from a less-than-optimal diet, and the million ways in which the fight or flight response can be triggered throughout the day, leaving adrenals depleted. It is also a galactagogue. Most new mothers are completely exhausted, and rightly so, after the exertion of labor and birth, blood loss, and sleep deprivation, and it’s hard to think of a plant better for rejuvenating the body and one’s whole being than Nettle. It provides real and lasting, bone-deep energy-not the kind you get from coffee, which is more like an energy credit card, in which a boost of superficial energy is given temporarily, but paid back with interest.
Hibiscus ~ Hibiscus sabdariffa
This plant gives the blend a deep red tint, and a slightly sweet & sour taste. It is rich in vitamin C, which helps with tissue repair, and is yet another galactagogue herb. It helps reduce swelling, partly through being mildly diuretic. It is gently laxative, which is nice after birth, in order to avoid straining during bowel movements. It is cooling, anti-oxidant, and immuno-modulating (enhances/ balances the immune system). The polysaccharides/mucilage in Hibiscus helps to coat and protect inflamed mucosal tissue, to promote healing from tears, sore nipples and hemorrhoids.
Download a printable handout about Mamma Mia Postpartum Brew
QUALITY STANDARDS
All of the herbs used in Village Herbals’ products are certified organic and/or ethically wild-crafted. Carefully extracted and blended in small batches with careful quality control, your remedies come to you filled with love and thoughtfulness.
