Naturally restoring hormonal balance in the 4th trimester and getting back to your baseline mentally, emotionally, and hormonally is possible. Let's face it momma, the 4th trimester can be exhausting. It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed in the first few weeks caring for your newborn baby while experiencing so many mixed emotions. Your emotions can be all over the place - one minute you're crying and the next minute you're raging mad and you don't know why, you may be unable to concentrate, and most often you're dealing with all of these emotions compounded with the stress being sleep deprived. While your hormones are trying to regulate after pregnancy and childbirth, typically the "baby blues" only last a few weeks for most women, but getting back to normal doesn't come soon enough for some mommas, and the time it takes it will depend on your liver's ability to restore normal levels.
There will be different remedies depending on your postpartum symptoms, as in weepiness, depression, irritability, anxiety, sleep difficulties, anger, and so on. The following herbs can be used in capsules, tinctures, or even teas. Let's take a look!
HERBS
Note: If you are taking an anti-depressant or other prescription medications, be sure to discuss herbal use with your physician or midwife to prevent interactions.
Ashwagandha curbs the production of anxiety and stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol, it improves memory and brain function, can assist in promoting healthy sleep, it increases blood flow to female reproductive organs, in turn promoting hormonal balance and healing, as well as acting as an aphrodisiac for women struggling with low libido.
Black Cohosh is an herb widely used by Native Americans for all types of medicinal needs, but it is especially used for female reproductive issues and childbirth. It is known for influencing serotonin receptors and regulating hormones for women. To avoid possible negative side effects, it is recommended to use black cohosh for no more than 6-months at a time.
Chamomile calms anxiety, promotes good sleep, and is an antispasmodic, so it could also help ease cramps.
Chasteberry, also known as Vitex, helps to stimulate progesterone production balancing the hormonal cycle, it also works beautifully at relieving PMS symptoms and menstrual issues.
Dandelion Root helps to detox the liver and stimulates breastmilk production for some women. It is high in vitamin C and vitamin A, calcium magnesium and potassium.
Dong Quai has a balancing affect on female hormones and is known as the female ginseng. It promotes healthy menses, balances hormones and is popular for the baby blues, maintains healthy estrogen and progesterone levels, and supports overall female reproduction health.
Lavender rebalances emotions with it's calming effects, it relieves stress and tension, and promotes restful sleep.
Lemon Balm is a calming herb that works well with St. John's Wort for depression. It's calming effects ease stress and anxiety, it is uplifting while at the same time increases focus.
Magnesium greatly helps to alleviate symptoms from reproductive imbalances, such as PMS, mood swings, and emotional imbalances.
Motherwort is known for calming the heart and relieving anxiety, it can help with mood swings and emotional balance, as well as tones the uterus and reduces menstrual cramps.
Passionflower naturally helps with symptoms of depression or anxiety, and it promotes tranquility and sleep.
Red Raspberry Leaf is widely used in late pregnancy and the postpartum period. It provides nutritious B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and iron, and it tones the uterus too.
Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogen herb, which helps balance the body during times of change and stress, which can often times negatively impact the balance of women's hormones.
Skullcap works well for anxiety, stress, nervousness, and panic attacks, and it can be used for both acute situations, or taken long-term for chronic issues.
Milk Thistle improves liver function, and it eliminates excess sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone, which balances hormones. Read more at When to Use Milk Thistle and When To Think Twice.
Nettle Leaf helps to calm the body, it can also help to boost your breastmilk supply, and helps to avoid hemorrhage. Nettle Leaf is high in Vitamin K, Iron, and Calcium.
St. John’s Wort (always discuss with your physician about interactions with other medications). St. John's wort is known as the depression herb, but it is much more versatile than that. It's benefits include pain relief, wound healing, liver health, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and it supports a healthy nervous system.
Tulsi Leaf, known as Holy Basil or Indian Basil, has been referred to an elixir of life, and has so many healing properties, it's impossible to list them all. However, it is widely used to aid with mental clarity, relaxes frazzled nerves, lifts spirits, it's an anti-inflammatory, and since it's part of the mint family, it tastes amazing.
SUPPLEMENTS
You should continue taking your prenatal vitamins and make sure you have the recommended daily values of:
Omega 3 fatty acids
Vitamin B Complex - see Super B
Vitamin D
Calcium
Magnesium
Folic Acid
Super B (Item #3240) is "a comprehensive vitamin complex containing all eight essential, energy-boosting B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12). It features Orgen-FA®*, a natural folate source derived from lemon peels, and methylcobalamin, a more bioavailable source of B12. Combined with Nutmeg essential oil and bioavailable chelated minerals such as magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc, Super B not only assists in maintaining healthy energy levels, but it also supports mood and cardiovascular and cognitive function.* B vitamins are essential to health and well-being, and each B vitamin performs a unique and separate function in the body. They must be replenished daily, as they are not stored in the body."
Tip: Some say to avoid dairy products if you are trying to restore balance to your hormones during the postpartum period, as the hormones in the milk can throw your hormones out of whack!
AROMATHERAPY | ESSENTIAL OILS
Never underestimate the power of citrus oils to help normalize hormone levels and immune function, they increase serotonin levels and they promote general feelings of emotional wellness.
EndoFlex Vitality and Progressence Plus are 2 oils you will not want to do without!
EndoFlex Vitality (Item #5623) in for overall wellness day-to-day has been shown to significantly improve postpartum symptoms.
Progressence Plus (Item #4640) to promote feelings of relaxation, harmony, and balance, Progessence Plus is formulated specifically for women. It has been designed to promote well-being and feelings for relaxation, harmony, and balance. It features Frankincense, Bergamot, and Peppermint.
Custom Blend One:
In 15 ml roller bottle at a 10% dilution rate - 15 mL/ 3 tsp/ 1 tbsp = 45 drops (I recycle my bottles for custom blends) (and yes I know there are more than 5 single oils in these custom blends). Top roller bottle with Evening Primrose Oil or a carrier oil of your choice. Massage over adrenal glands, ovaries, and pulse points. Don't forget to rub some in your hands, cup your hands together, and breathe deeply for 5-or-6 deep inhalations for a wonderful aromatherapy session.
10 drops Clary Sage
8 drops Lavender
8 drops Geranium
5 drops Ylang Ylang
4 drops Bergamot
4 drops Neroli
3 drops Frankincense
3 drops Jasmine
Or
Custom Blend Two:
10 drops Clary Sage
8 drops Wild Orange
4 drops Bergamot
4 drops Cypress
4 drops Geranium
4 drops Lavender
4 drops Roman Chamomile
4 drops Sandalwood
3 drops Rose
You can also use any combination of the above oils with 4 to 6 drops in your diffuser or for your bath water mix with a half teaspoon of sea salt (not in your diffuser) for a spa-like calming and relaxing bath.
🖤 Don’t buy your oils from Amazon or Walmart etc, they are full of dangerous chemicals, toxins, and who knows what, only use the best and highest quality oils! Get your own wholesale account and save 24% right here! 👇🏼
I'm beyond blessed to be a Christian Counselor, Social Worker, Women's Herbal Medicine Health & Wellness Coach, Aromatherapist, and a Doula Trainer! I'm now passing on my wisdom to the younger generations! Titus 2:3-5
XOXO
Vicki