I am in awe at this body that I was given.
Mamas, we are amazing.
Labor is hard work. I’m sure that you’ve heard it compared to a marathon, and it’s true. It is physically exhausting but the reward, in the end, is so worth it. And like a marathon (a triathlon in my opinion, but I have yet to participate in either so…) after all the hard work is done our body needs time to heal. Just like its amazing ability to know how to create grow, nourish, and birth a human being, it also knows how to heal itself and recover naturally. All we have to do is allow it to happen and rest.
Cultural traditions surrounding the postpartum period vary but historically, women were offered support and encouraged to rest, restrict activities, eat a nutritious diet, care for their babies, breastfeed freely, care for themselves, and tune into any postpartum rituals. After birth, our time should be spent bonding with our baby and allowing the body to fully heal. We may not live in a time that values pampering new mothers in a way that ancient cultures once did, but we as mothers should allow ourselves the proper time to heal.
This postpartum herbal brew recipe can help relieve soreness, encourage healing, and prevent infection in the sensitive area where baby made an entrance.
Use it to make postpartum herbal pads, a postpartum spray, postpartum bath or sitz bath. It’s not only wonderful to make for yourself but it is a fabulous low waste gift as well.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup or of unrefined sea salt
- 1/2 cup lavender
- 1/4 cup plantain leaf
- 1/4 cup witch hazel
- 1/4 cup yarrow
- 1/4 cup calendula
- 1/4 cup chamomile
- 1/2 cup Red Raspberry Leaf
- 1/4 cup Shepherd’s Purse
- 1/4 cup Uva Ursi Leaf
- 1/4 cup sage
- Rose quartz, amethyst, bloodstone, agate, moonstone, and a quartz point optional.
Tip: If you harvest lavender and dry it, you can also use the lavender leaves in baths and tea recipes. Though, the flowers will be most fragrant.
Mix all ingredients clockwise with a wooden spoon while thinking of healing and loving thoughts…. Or, just put into a jar and shake it all up.
Optional: Charge with crystals and sunlight (New moon or Full moonlight works too) for however long you feel called to.
When you’re ready to use, place 1/2 a cup of herb mixture into a muslin tea bag. Steep in 1 quart of hot water for at least 30 minutes or until room temperature.
Postpartum Healing Bath
Pour 1 quart of brewed herbs into a warm bath. This can also be added to a sitz bath.
Zero Waste Postpartum Herbal Pads
Pour 1/8 cup of herbal brew over cloth pads. Stack pads with parchment paper in between and store in the freezer. I stored mine in a stasher bag.
Zero Waste Postpartum Herbal Spray
Pour herbal brew into a glass spray bottle. Store in the fridge for a cooling spray.
Don’t forget to celebrate your new babies first bath too.
I mixed salt, lavender, rose petals, chamomile, and calendula for a relaxing first bath for our little one. If you find yourself with an abundance of breastmilk, that can make a great addition too.
Do you have any pospartum rituals or healing recipes?