Herbal teas are a great addition to support postpartum recovery. Not only does drinking a hot cup of tea feel like a form of self-care, but the herbs can also provide amazing healing benefits.
Benefits of including a hot cup of tea to your postpartum daily ritual:
- Promote hormone balance
- Promote sleep and rest
- Support mood and energy levels
- Ease stress and anxiety
- Boost immunity
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Support milk flow
- Assist in wound healing and tone
- Provide essential vitamins and minerals
Disclaimer: As with any supplement, it is always best to consult your doctor. Especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What are some great herbs for postpartum?
Nettle leaf
Nettle leaf is great for nourishing a postpartum mom because it is rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium, and B vitamins. It also contains anti-inflammatory, natural antihistamine, and anti-microbial properties -all great for postpartum healing! Nettle also acts as a natural diuretic and helps support the adrenals.
Holy Basil
Holly basil is another great herb for postpartum because it works as an adaptogen, bringing back balance after the stress of delivering a baby. It also helps with energy levels and mood.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a great herb for anxiety and can help improve sleep.
Oat Straw
This tea is another essential one for postpartum mamas! It is rich in vitamins and minerals such as zinc, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, vitamin A, and calcium. It helps restore the nervous system, enhance energy levels, and relieve stress and anxiety. Oat Straw can also be beneficial to consume right after giving birth because it helps with wound healing.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm aids in reducing postpartum pain and balancing mood. It is a great tea for mothers experiencing postpartum anxiety/depression.
Side note: For some moms, consuming lemon balm has decreased their milk supply, so that is something to keep in mind if you drink tea or take another supplement with Lemon Balm in it.
Red Raspberry Leaf
You have probably heard of Red Raspberry Leaf tea being consumed during pregnancy, but it’s just as great for postpartum, too! It’s another tea that contains essential vitamins and minerals, and it assists in toning the uterus and slowing down excessive bleeding.
Blessed Thistle
Blessed thistle is an herb commonly used to increase breast milk supply. It also contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Moringa
Moringa is known as the “miracle tree” because of its amazing benefits! It is packed with vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K—all essential for the postpartum period. It is also a complete source of protein containing all nine amino acids AND can help with breast milk supply.
Motherwort
FUN FACT: Motherwort has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. It tones the uterus while also soothing the pain associated with uterine contractions. It is considered a nervine, promoting emotional balance for the postpartum mother.
Is it safe to drink herbal teas while breastfeeding?
Although many postpartum women have consumed and loved these herbal teas, it is always a good idea to check with a doctor whether or not it’s safe to drink a certain herbal tea while breastfeeding, specifically if you are taking any other medications.
Another way to stay safe is to limit your teas to 1-2 cups per day. If you are drinking a tea that only contains one type of herb, try switching it up occasionally so that you don’t consume too much of one herb.
