How Safe is Herbal Medicine While Pregnant and Breastfeeding?

Within the Western paradigm, the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is commonly limited to alleviating symptoms such as nausea, anxiety and assisting labour and childbirth.

However, within traditional texts and the regions in which they were birthed, specifically China and India, herbal medicine has a richer context of use during pregnancy.

For obvious ethical reasons, the progression of scientific studies in the utilisation of adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms and tonic herbs are essentially nil during all stages of pregnancy and nursing.

It’s true that very little is known or explored around the appropriate and safe use of medicinal herbs during this exciting stage of life.

But with very little scientific understandings, there are still many questions to be answered:

What herbs are safe during pregnancy?
What supplements should be avoided during pregnancy?
How can I increase the chances of getting pregnant fast?
What herbs increase and boost fertility?

This article aims to utilise both historical and traditional texts as well as contemporary information to inform you what is safe to utilise for pre-conception, during pregnancy, nursing and postpartum.

Dr Aviva Romm, an expert in the realm of herbs and pregnancy states, “overall, most herbs have a high safety profile with little evidence of harm. Pregnant mommas commonly experience minor symptoms and discomforts for which the use of natural remedies may be gentler and safer than over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pharmaceuticals.”

But it’s also crucial to be smart and safe if choosing to utilise herbs during your pregnancy.

At the end of the article is a list of references and recommendations for you to explore further should you wish.

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Improving Fertility in Men and Women

For both men and women, taking a deeper dive into preparing their body for conception and boosting fertility is something that’s rarely spoken about.

The women might carry the baby but men’s health is equally important during conception too.

Since the time we left our mother’s womb, our bodies have lived in a world full of toxins and pollutants that live in the air, water, food and our home environment.

Often, we naively expect our bodies to function at its best regardless of what state of mental and/or physical health the man and woman are in. We want to conceive naturally and quickly but if we can’t, it causes great emotional distress, upset and distraught when it doesn’t happen. Then this stress and anxiety further impede the woman to fall pregnant.

To assist your fertility journey and prepare the body for pregnancy, I recommend partners work with a practitioner ahead of time to help cleanse the body and mind, promote homeostasis and give the mother the best chances to bring a healthy baby into the world.

Pre-Pregnancy and Planning Conception

Planning ahead and getting the body right prior to pregnancy and conception is the most important and beneficial time for a man and woman to add adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms and tonic herbs to their diet.

Especially to work with herbs for liver detox.

These powerful and ancient herbs help strengthen the important three treasures–Jing, Qi and Shen– in tonic herbalism. These treasures are said to correspond and nurture three basic levels of life - the reproductive, the metabolic and the spiritual.

Tonic herbs help strengthen and tonify weakened systems, support liver and kidney function, provide nutrients to build up stores, decrease stress levels, balance hormones and elevate overall wellbeing and happiness.

In our society, we’re very treatment focused rather than taking preventative measures. With this in mind, it’s important during this pre-pregnancy phase is to optimise our wellbeing (man and woman) while trying to conceive.

Or, if you and your partner are not actively trying to conceive, ideally, you still want to be consistently supporting your bodies with the right foods and herbs that will bring us closer to balance and optimisation.

When the time is right and you reach the stage of wanting to start a family, the body is a strong, resilient vessel ready for creating and sustaining new life.

18 Best Herbs to Boost Fertility Naturally

Many of the herbs mentioned below are classified as adaptogenic herbs.

Adaptogens are superior in their ability to regulate the HPA (Hypo-Thalamic-Adrenal) axis; buffering stress, which is known as the main barrier to falling pregnant.

Vitex (Chasteberry)

Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) also known as chasteberry – is one of the most well known female reproductive herbs. Vitex acts on the HPA axis, increases luteinizing hormone (LH). LH is responsible for driving ovulation and nourishes the corpus luteum once an egg has been released. It’s the corpus luteum that release estrogens and progesterone, regulating the entire reproductive and menstrual cycle.

The ability of vitex to influence LH levels provides a hormonal like effect as it shifts the balance between progesterone/estrogen, favouring progesterone which is beneficial for improving fertility.

Vitex also improves menstrual cycles through its ability to regulate estrogen and increase progesterone and offers additional benefits to women experiencing endometriosis, with estrogen excess being a common driver.

Cordyceps Mushroom

Cordyceps Mushroom (Cordyceps sinensis) - has been used for centuries to improve the fertility of both men and women, increasing levels of progesterone in women and testosterone in men, as well as being a lung and kidney tonic, improving cardiovascular health and supporting adrenals.

Shatavari

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) - literally translates to “she who has a 100 husbands” and is a women’s tonic used for centuries within Ayurveda.

Maca

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) – also known as Peruvian Ginseng, stimulates the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries, increasing the bodies production of estrogen, and lowers cortisol levels and adrenocorticotropic hormone – stress hormones.

Tribulus

Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris) – is traditionally used as a male tonic as it helps increase testosterone levels and sperm function. Tribulus is additionally used extensively in Western medicine for the treatment of female reproductive difficulties, specifically amenorrhea, and stimulates FSH – follicle stimulating hormone in women. FSH initiates ovulation, hormone release and improves conception.

Ashwagandha root

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – is a revered Ayurvedic herb that is a potent HPA axis modulator and stress adaptogen. Ashwagandha works to decrease stress hormones and has been shown to improve sperm motility and increase sperm count in men.

He Shou Wu

He Shou Wu Prepared Root (Polygonum multiflorum) - helps strengthen connective tissue, the skeletal system and tonifies and builds blood. He Shou Wu is a nutritive food rich in zinc and iron. It also improves sperm function, ovary function and increases testosterone levels in men.

Schizandra Berry

Wild Schizandra berry (Schisandra chinensis) - is another powerful adaptogen that optimises liver function and detoxification, assists the metabolism and excretion of toxins that add chronic stress and inflammation to the body. Schizandra is also a superior herb for stress and adrenal function. It helps calm the nervous system, enters all twelve meridians and nourishes all five treasures; Qi, Xue (Blood), Jinye (Body Fluids), Jing (Essence), and Shen (Spirit).

Chaga Mushroom

Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) - is a nutrient powerhouse and potent antioxidant food that supports healthy DNA and cellular function. Chaga is beneficial in balancing blood cholesterol and sugar levels. It potentially protects mothers from Gestational Diabetes and assists the microbiome and metabolism of excess hormones, specifically androgens that are present in women with PCOS.

Astragalus root

Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus) – is the supreme protector and a potent immuno-modulator that works to balance and support the immune system. Astragalus improves the body’s resiliency and protects against invading pathogens and bacteria. A strong and healthy immune system will eventually be passed onto a baby during breastfeeding and if a vaginal birth occurs.

Licorice root

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) - modulates oestrogen levels and acts as an adaptogen with its dual-directional activity by increasing oestrogen levels if they’re too low or reducing levels if they’re too high. Additionally, it helps decrease cortisol.

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) - is a nervine and is beneficial in calming an overactive nervous system and mind. Reishi also promotes healthy sleep and nourishes Shen, our spirit.

Pine Pollen

Pine Pollen (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) – has shown to boost testosterone levels in males and enhance libido in both sexes. Pine pollen is also rich in micronutrients.

Damiana

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) – has a positive aphrodisiac effect and helps improve libido and sexual energy.

White Peony

White Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) – has long been used in TCM for its beneficial effects on female fertility and has a stimulatory effect on ovulation. White Peony is an estrogen modulator, menstrual cycle regulator and improves the follicular phase.

Dong Quai

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) – is another ancient tonic herb that is very beneficial or women’s health. Dong Quai has traditionally been used to treat dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea. Dong Quai helps build and nourish the blood, stimulates estrogen and supports a healthy pregnancy by easing delivery; toning the uterus.

Nettle

Nettle (Urtica dioica) - the root and leaf of the stinging nettle plant are beneficial in balancing hormones as well as increasing iron levels.

Pearl

Pearl (Margarita) is very rich in micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, silica, proteins and nourishes the skin.

How to Cleanse the Body to Improve Fertility

Heavy Metal Detox

Try including these foods and supplements into your diet to gently detoxify the body of any heavy metal toxicity:

• Celery
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Citrus
• Binders and chelators such as zeolites clay and activated charcoal
• Fulvic trace minerals
• High antioxidant foods such as Chaga mushroom
• Matcha green tea
• Turmeric root
• Organic blueberries

Other ways we can remove the concentration of heavy metals in the body is to incorporate infrared saunas and lymphatic brushing to assist the removal of these metals such as lead, aluminium, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.

>> Related: Heavy Metal Toxic Foods (9 Ways to Minimize Your Risk Exposure)

Eliminate Excess Toxins and Allostatic Load

Whenever possible, it’s very important to choose certified organic produce over conventional produce that is laden with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and glyphosate. This includes organic, grass-fed and wild-caught animal products.

Take an honest look at the personal products you are using. What are you putting on our skin, hair and body? Are the products you’re using loaded with endocrine and neurotoxic ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, heavy metals, artificial fragrances, colours and other synthetic ingredients?

If so, try switching these toxic products for eco-friendly and greener solutions.

Decreasing stressors where possible and optimising sleep

Stress and a lack of good quality sleep are two massive barriers to fertility and conception.

Chronic stress takes our body out of a fertile space and into a fight-flight-freeze nervous state. In this state, blood flow is redirected, digestion shuts off, libido decreases and a whole-body message that screams, “it’s not safe to have a baby right now.”

I encourage all my clients to take inventory of what stressors are present in their lives. Both conscious and subconscious stressors. Physical, emotional, spiritual, social, psychological and perceived stressors.

Jot down your own list and take note of where and what you are able to do to release that stress. Whether it’s old limiting beliefs and fears, delegating tasks, asking for help, setting up systems, creating action plans, changing behaviours, the list goes on and on.

One vital solution for decreasing stress on the body is optimising sleep. Sleep is the secret sauce to life if you ask me. Nothing trumps sleep, and we can’t hack it no matter how hard we try. Sleep will always prevail (or we die, literally).

Two key steps to improving your sleep are:

1. Create a regular bedtime. Routine is what our body thrives off. Set up a regular 30-minute window which informs your brain and body that sleep is approaching and this will enable a consistent transition into sleep.
2. The darker and cooler the room – the better. As bedtime approaches, start turning lights off or down, put away phones, turn off the TV and other electronic devices. This act helps inform our brain that it's nighttime and time. To wind down to rest. Too much light and other electronic frequencies disrupt this message. Additionally, a cooler bedroom supports better sleep, 18-20 degrees Celsius is the sweet spot.

>> Related: 13 Actionable Tips to Get a Good Healthy Night Sleep Every Night

>> Related: 7 Ways to Prevent Burnout and Renew Your Energy

Take Inventory of Your Home Environment

Our home environment is often a place full of toxins and chemicals that we may ignore. Often, a few simple changes in your home can eliminate your constant exposure to these harmful pollutants:

• Is there a history or presence of black mould in your home? If so, hire a professional to eradicate the mould entirely from your home.
• Try reducing EMF exposure by using rock salt lamps to offset the constant barrage of EMF frequencies surrounding the body.
• Add in more natural and warm light wherever possible.
• Add in plants to the home to oxygenate the air.
• Use eco-friendly and non-toxic bedding.
• Connect water filters to kitchen taps and showers.
• Use non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning products.
• Reduce the number of plastics you cook with and eat and drink from.

Identify Any Nutritional Deficiencies and Imbalances

Do you experience headaches and migraines, constipation, IBS, eczema, psoriasis, chronic fatigue, anaemia, poor wound healing etc?

These are all key signs of low-grade inflammation as well as nutritional deficiencies.

Start working with a practitioner to identify and assist in restoring balance in the body or take it upon yourself to top up those nutritional stores to optimise fertility and conception.

 

Key Nutrients and Foods to Eat When Trying to Conceive (Men and Women)

• Selenium – brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, beef, tuna.
• Zinc – oysters, pumpkin seeds, organic eggs, sunflower seeds, herring, mushrooms, cacao.
• CoQ10 – grass-fed red meat, tuna, sardines, olive oil, walnuts, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, strawberries, grapefruit, apples.
• Omega 3’s – walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, wild-caught salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring.
• Folate – all leafy green and cruciferous vegetables.
• Vitamin C – all yellow, orange and red fruit and vegetables.
• Vitamin D – Shiitake mushroom, sunshine.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid – broccoli, spinach, organ meats and brussel sprouts
• Fulvic Minerals – providing trace minerals in a highly bioavailable form to assist the absorption and utilisation of food-based nutrients. Try Fulvic Ionic Minerals.

 

The Best Time To Get Pregnant

As women each month we cycle through two key phases; the ovulatory phase and the menstrual (menses) phase. Within these two phases, we have our luteal, ovulatory, menstrual and follicular phases.

Ovulation occurs around day 14 of a women’s cycle. Day 1 is the first day of our period or the main event so to speak.

Ovulation is when our follicle has matured and released an egg. This egg travels down the fallopian tubes hoping to meet a healthy, eager sperm to initiate fertilisation.

Sperm can also survive in the vagina for 2-3 days so to optimise a higher chance of pregnancy, having sex the days before and after ovulation (day 14) is recommended.

Pregnancy Support in the First Trimester

Starting your pregnancy journey, it is recommended that no herbs are taken during the first trimester.

This is based upon the understanding that using herbs during this particular phase may cause:

• Toxicity to the mother, which might indirectly affect the foetus
• Toxicity to the foetus
• Teratogenesis
• Increased miscarriage risk
• Poor neonatal health

The third trimester is the safest time period to incorporate specific herbs to assist the health of mother and baby.

The incorporation of herbal medicine during pregnancy is predominantly from anecdotal evidence, clinical application and traditional texts, with a majority of studies and contemporary texts suggesting avoiding herbs during the entire pregnancy.

It is crucial to state that everything is your choice, and it’s hard to find answers on a topic that is so individualistic in beliefs, values, and biology. Always consult with your health care practitioner if you have further questions or concerns.

Safe Herbs to Take During Pregnancy

It’s more common for the use of herbs throughout pregnancy in countries where such holistic systems originated; China and India for an example with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda.

Western herbal medicine throughout pregnancy is not routinely practised in the West. with a focus of herbal utilisation focusing primarily on: 

• Red raspberry – is the oldest and most known plant utilised during pregnancy, and relaxes the uterine musculature, assisting labour and childbirth. (Bone, Murray & Pizzorno, Hechtman)
• Echinacea is used to help prevent colds and flu at the first signs of coming down.
• Ginger root is used for nausea.
• Chamomile is used to calm anxiety and promote sleep.

These herbs have repeatedly been reported as safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

B1 Category Herbs

B1 herbs have been used in clinical research but only taken by a limited number of pregnant women. They have been shown to not increase the frequency of malformations or other direct/indirect harmful effects on a growing foetus.

Again, it’s important to reiterate that safety is paramount during pregnancy and to always do what you intuitively feel is best for you. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with your health care practitioner.

The following herbs fall under the B1 category:

Codonopsis (Dang Shen) – has traditionally been used to prevent weakness, deficiencies, tiredness and fatigue, strengthen the stomach, spleen qi, appetite, digestion, builds blood, beneficial for anaemia, and helps to normalise blood sugar which can be beneficial in women who experience gestational diabetes. Codonopsis is also great postpartum to rebuild and strengthen the Qi.

Panax Ginseng – has been used in TCM during pregnancy, and is beneficial for low back pain, fatigue, exhaustion, HPA dysregulation/stress, and is stimulating, and improves circulation.

Schizandra berry (Schisandra chinensis) – is used to assist childbirth and labour and strengthens rhythmical contractions of the uterus. Schizandra should only be used to help and assist childbirth.

 

The Calming Nature of “Reishi babies”

Reishi mushroom is the most widely studied herb in the world. Reishi is renowned as a superb adaptogen and Shen (spirit) tonic for its ability to promote calmness of mind, nourishing and restorative, being a Shen (spirit) tonic.

Reishi is renowned for strengthening the immune system, reducing stress, and improving the connection to one’s spirit and purpose, increasing fulfilment in one’s life.

Reishi although not clinically stated as a “safe” pregnancy herb, has many anecdotal reports of mothers using the mushroom during pregnancy. This has birthed a phenomenon known as “reishi babies”.

Ron Teeguarden, a Master Herbalist has spoken on them, stating that these babies appear more “calm and focused,” have little inflammation, cry less and are more in awe of their surroundings.

In the book; Healing Thresholds: A Modern Journey into Taoist Health Philosophy by Rehmannia Dean Thomas, it’s mentioned that within Asia, Reishi is taking as an immune builder by pregnant women to protect the mother and her growing foetus.

Reishi is a very gentle and nourishing adaptogen. It’s beneficial to calm both mother and baby and help reduce anxiety, sleeplessness and build the immune system.

Again, through each phase, it’s so important to reiterate that adopting herbs into your pregnancy is a personal and individual choice.

Please keep in mind: every woman’s body is unique and supplementing with herbs is different for everyone. Just like the herbs, we’re all so unique and therefore, will respond differently to their biochemical and energetic natures.

 

Postpartum Support

After birth, the postpartum phase begins.

Postpartum is actually split into three phases; the acute (first 6-12 hours post-childbirth), subacute (2-6 weeks) and delayed, which can last up to 6 months for some women.

Postpartum is defined as the period where the body readjusts to motherhood and a body that no longer carries a foetus.

During this key phase, supporting all systems (endocrine, digestive, lymphatic, cardiovascular etc.) and the entire wellbeing of the mother is important for both mother and baby. Postpartum is all about restoring vitality and strength to the mother, nourishing the organs and blood, as well as the Jing, Qi and Shen.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a space in time in which a lot of mothers experience a lull in mood. This can range from a slight, decrease in joy, happiness, identity and ideas of self, to a severe, crippling depression that is uncontrollable.

There are numerous ideas surrounding why PPD occurs, why it happens to some women, not to others, in some pregnancies and not in others. But the one thing that is crucial during the postpartum phase is to try to nourish yourself so you are then able to nourish your baby in all facets possible.

Nourishment doesn’t only come nutritionally from foods and herbs, which will help to restore balance to neurotransmitters and thus, mood.

Nourishment is also self-compassion, identifying the self-judgement which we all have inside us and saying, “I don’t believe you.”

Nourishment is giving yourself space to fail and learn, to grow, to evolve, and not compare and to understand, you will get through this.

Safe Herbs in Postpartum

Tonic herbs that assist postpartum and the recovery and regeneration of the mother include;

Astragalus root (Astragalus racemocus) – is beneficial in postpartum to assist recovery from severe blood loss, uterine bleeding and organ prolapse. Astragalus is also best used to prevent viral and bacterial infections, however, it is not recommended for those with auto-immune conditions. (Bone)

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – has been used in Ayurveda to restore strength and support the nervous system. Being a top adaptogen, Ashwagandha also helps new mothers to adapt by buffering anxiety, stress, and providing support which can improve milk production and post-natal depression.

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) - is regarded as one of, if not the most, potent anti-stress tonic herb in Taoism and TCM. Reishi calms the nervous system, decreases levels of cortisol in the bloodstream, assists breastfeeding, improves mood, nutrient utilization, immunity and sleep. Reishi is also the greatest Shen Tonic; with Shen being our spirit. Reishi positively improves our connectedness to ourselves, as well as our mental and emotional wellbeing.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a highly nutritive plant rich in iron, helps reduce fatigue, support breast milk production and increase mood. Iron is also a key player in the production of neurotransmitters; dopamine and serotonin.

Restore the Jing in Postpartum

Within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Jing is the foundational treasure which translates to our primal essence or life force energy.

Imagine Jing is like your "savings account" of long-term energy. It is our generator or our battery of stored energy. It is the vitality that we utilise to bring forth new life and to ensure good health in our older years.

When we experience loss of this Jing treasure we feel devitalised and can show signs of premature ageing.

The Kidneys are our battery pack and the great reservoir of Jing energy is rooted in the Kidneys. Jing is connected with longevity, vitality, sexual energy and our creative powers.

Jing is depleted through excess stress, worry, exhaustion, over-work, lack of sleep and childbirth. Jing can be nourished and preserved using tonic herbs and adaptogens such as Cordyceps mushroom, Reishi mushroom, He Shou Wu root, Eucommia bark and more.

During pregnancy, kidney Jing is greatly depleted as the mother transfers her Jing energy to the baby during childbirth and breastfeeding. The mother additionally provides more Jing energy to her newborn for breast milk production, as Jing nourishes the blood.

It’s vital to decrease any stressors in your life wherever possible, to assist the preservation and replenishment of Jing. One way to rebuild Jing is through the consumption of the placenta. This practice has been utilised for centuries by women and is now having a Renaissance due to companies encapsulating the placenta for easier consumption.

>> Related: Ways You Are Leaking Your Jing Energy

What is Placentophagia?

Consuming the placenta is a common practice within traditional communities and traditional medicine systems. In the West, however, it’s looked upon as odd or revolting and of a high danger since the placenta is often simply discarded as waste after a birth.

In TCM, after giving birth, the women would consume the placenta to reclaim vital nutrients lost during birth that were used to build the placenta.

The traditional method is to cook the placenta in boiling water with other Jing and Qi nourishing herbs such as He Shou Wu, Rehmannia and Schizandra berry. This potent elixir would then be stored and drank in the following weeks.

My university tutor mentioned she rolled hers out until it was super thin and froze it. She would then tear small pieces off and add them to her daily smoothie for herself and her husband.

There are also companies that offer the service to take the placenta and encapsulate it directly for you. This is often easier because they provide your dried placenta in a capsule you can take daily.

Key health benefits of consuming the placenta include:

• Preventing postnatal depression
• Improves and elevates mood
• Rich in iron
• Helps prevent anaemia and fatigue
• Increases milk supply
• Restore a healthy balance of sex hormones

Again, do what you feel is best for you and your body. If this practice resonates with you and you want to recover faster post-birth, reach out to companies in your city providing this service to learn more.

 

Best Foods to Support Breastfeeding

Milk production and breastfeeding can be both a rewarding and challenging transition for new mother’s.

Adding in galactagogues – foods and herbs – to a mother’s diet helps increase the production of milk within the mammary glands and assists the body in creating more nutritious milk for the baby.

Eat these foods to support breastfeeding:

• Oats
• Fennel
• Flaxseed
• Leafy greens
• Ginger
• Brewer’s Yeast
• Asparagus
• Nuts and seeds
• Legumes and whole grains

Superfoods and Herbs for Boosting Milk Nutrition and Production

• Astragalus
• Goji berry
• Nettle
• Fenugreek
• Blessed Thistle
• Alfalfa
• Goats Rue
• Milk Thistle
• Schizandra berry
• Reishi mushroom
• Prepared Rehmannia
• Longan fruit

Conclusion

Overall, understanding the role of how herbal medicine can assist the man and woman from pre-conception and throughout the entire pregnancy, provides valuable wisdom that was lost as the emergence of modern medicine rose within the West.

As women, our bodies and the journey we choose to take to bring a child into this world is completely individual and unique.

Be smart, get your body right and plan ahead.

If you decide to incorporate any kind of supplement or herb into your diet during pregnancy, make it an informed choice with yourself, your partner and ideally under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Book Recommendations and References

For further information and guidance on the best natural ways to boost fertility and the safe consumption of herbal medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding, refer to these resources below:

Books

• Botanical Medicine for Women's Health by Dr Aviva Romm
• The Natural Pregnancy Book by Dr Aviva Romm
• Naturally Healthy Babies and Children by Dr Aviva Romm
• The Nursing Mother’s Herbal by Sheila Humphrey
• Conceiving Healthy Babies: An Herbal Guide to Support Preconception, Pregnancy, and Lactation 
• Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun S. Weed
• Brighton Baby: A Revolutionary Approach to Having an Extraordinary Child by Roy Dittmann
• Pregnancy and Childbirth: A holistic approach to massage and bodywork by Suzanne Yates
• Boost Your Breast Milk: An All-in-One Guide for Nursing Mothers to Build a Healthy Milk Supply by Alicia C. Simpson
• Healing Thresholds: A Modern Journey into Taoist Health Philosophy by Rehmannia Dean Thomas
• Woman Code: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source by Alisa Vitti, HHC

References:

Herbal Medicines Use During Pregnancy: A Review from the Middle East. Lisha J. John1 and Nisha Shantakumari. Oman Med J. 2015 Jul; 30(4): 229–236. doi: 10.5001/omj.2015.48

Herbs in Pregnancy: What’s Safe, What’s Not? https://avivaromm.com/herbal-medicines-in-pregnancy-safety/

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Written by Eliza Hedley

Eliza is a health, mindset and abundance enthusiast obsessed with helping millennial's experience living at a higher level.

Her relaxed new age approach and understanding of nutrition and wellness sees her empowering and coaching individuals to understand that their health is the ultimate asset. Upon experiencing first hand the power and place of tonic herbalism and medicinal mushrooms in everyday life, Eliza’s become an adaptogen fangirl and feels their utilisation in today’s world is essential for abundance and wellbeing.

Website: https://theholisticsister.com

Instagram: @the_holistic_sister_

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