During pregnancy, a lot of women become extra mindful of the products they use in their daily routine, especially those that affect their health and well-being. If you’re looking for holistic ways to have a healthy pregnancy and postpartum experience, creating a home apothecary is a great way to do just that! You can fill it with natural remedies that will support you throughout your pregnancy journey and help you deal with common issues like nausea, fatigue, and stress.
Here are some simple steps to help you create a home apothecary.
Consider your specific needs
Pregnancy is a special season in life, and it’s important to tailor your home apothecary to your individual needs. Do you find yourself struggling with nausea or fatigue? Or perhaps you’re worried about keeping infections at bay, promoting healthy digestion, and easing stress. Whatever your concerns may be, selecting the right herbs for your natural remedies can make all the difference.
Choose high-quality ingredients
When you’re ready to start gathering ingredients, it’s important to choose the best quality items that are safe for pregnancy and postpartum use. You can’t go wrong choosing organic, non-GMO, and sustainably sourced components to use in your concoctions. It’s also important to avoid elements that are known to be harmful or toxic, such as artificial fragrances, parabens, and phthalates.
Some essential ingredients to include in your home apothecary might include:
Essential oils: Essential oils can be used for a variety of things during pregnancy and postpartum, including relaxation, sleep support, and mood enhancement. Some popular oils for pregnancy include sandalwood, lavender, peppermint, and ginger.
Herbs: You can use herbs in a number of creative ways, including in teas, tinctures, and infused oils. Some popular herbs for pregnancy include chamomile, raspberry leaf, and nettle.
Carrier oils: Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils and can also be used as a base for massage oils and other natural remedies. Some popular carrier oils include jojoba, almond, and coconut oil.
Be mindful of safety. It’s important to note that not all herbs are safe for use during pregnancy, and it’s essential to consult with a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider before using any new herbs or remedies.
Create a variety of natural remedies
Once you have your essential ingredients, it’s time to start creating natural remedies that can help support you from preconception to postpartum. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Preconception: Red Clover nourishing infusion, Red Clover is a good herb to consider when in the preconception phase that will help regulate and balance the hormones. It‘s packed with a high mineral content making it a good choice when trying to conceive.
Nausea relief: Many of us experience nausea during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Ginger and peppermint are gentle herbs that can be used in tea to help alleviate nausea and promote healthy digestive flow.
Sleep support: Getting enough sleep during pregnancy can be quite a challenge, sometimes it’s hard to find the right position to sleep in, or there are nights when the baby is extra active making it difficult to drift off and rest! Try adding Lavender essential oil to a diffuser or put a few drops in a warm bath to promote relaxation and sleep. Passionflower tea is another sleep-supporting herb to add to your regime as well as magnesium.
Stress relief: Creating a life is always a magical experience, that being said, growing a baby is a lot of work and it can get a little stressful at times. Chamomile is a favorite calming herb that can help ease anxiety, reduce stress and support emotional well-being. Making it a nice addition to your bedtime routine.
Breastfeeding Support: Adding Fenugreek or Fennel to your herbal tea blends can help increase the quality and quantity of milk supply.
Storage best practices
After you’ve made your natural remedies, it’s crucial to store them correctly to maintain their strength and effectiveness. To keep your essential oils potent, store them in dark, glass bottles away from heat and light.
We hope you’ve gathered some inspiration and are ready to create a home apothecary for your holistic pregnancy journey. It can be a creative and fulfilling way to nurture yourself during this transformative time ahead.
Again it’s important to first discuss adding herbs to your pregnancy regime with a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider before adding new herbs to your diet.
If you would like to learn more about some of the herbs we discussed in this blog, Becky Starling Community Herbalist and Educator here at Wild Rose has written an article covering the top 5 herbs to use in pregnancy.
Becky also created an in-depth course called Herbal Pregnancy & Childbirth where you can learn about traditional herbs and nutrition to support fertility and preconception right through to post-birth with plant medicine.
