March: Awakening, Beginning

"In March the earth receives the melting ice into her body, exposing a terrain with patches of yellowed grass surrounding tiny islands of snow. The bald, muddy soil, rich with water, sinks beneath each footstep that leans upon it, but this muddy dirt hastens the emergence of tender, green tree shoots, of down-covered baby weeds and bulbs planted in the fall. The yearning for newness born of the incessant cold that tossed our restless bodies in February is now satisfied as the dance of change begins in earnest and our eyes, ears, nostrils, and skin are deluged with signs of the returning spring."

Judith Berger, Herbal Rituals

Herbs for Pregnancy

Nettle Leaf is a nutritive tea which also aids kidneys, eases muscle cramps, reduces chance of hemorroids, helps prevent hemorrhage after birth, and increases richness & amount of breast milk.

Red Raspberry Leaf helps prevent miscarriages & hemorrhage, eases morning sickness, reduces pain during labor & after birth, helps uterus to work more effectively, aids in bringing down an undelivered placenta, and high mineral content assists in milk production.

Lemon Balm (Melissa) as a mild relaxer and anti-herpes tea.

German Chamomile as a mild calmative and digestive aid.

Ginger tea (fresh & in small amounts) to help relieve nausesa.

Marshmallow Root for belly heat & digestive issues.

Skullcap & Passionflower are great nervines that help settle your mind and will help you relax and sleep if you are having trouble.

Recipes:

Nursing Mom's Tea Blend

To help improve & increase milk production. Let this blend of herbs help you to relax and add essential nourishment to the body. Create a blend of Blessed Thistle, Alfalfa, Nettle, Raspberry Leaf, Milky Oats, Lemon Balm, Fenugreek, Orange Peel.

Mom-to-be Tea Blend

With the assistance of the right herbs you can have a more comfortable birth. This tea is formulated to help Mom prepare for child birth. It contains herbs full of essential vitamins and minerals, plus helps strengthens the uterus. It has a wonderful effect on aiding in a easier labor and delivery. Create a blend of Squawvine, Raspberry, Nettle, Chamomile, Rosehips, Alfalfa, Dandelion, Milky Oats, Peppermint

For more information read Wise Women Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susan Weed and The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm

Herbal Shampoo

Commercial shampoo is full of toxins that are bad for your body and the environment. These chemical toxins in shampoo are used to extend the shelf-life and to make products more cost-effective for the manufacturers. Some of these toxins are carcinogens (which means it directly causes or promotes cancer) and cytotoxins (a term used to refer to a substance that has a toxic effects on cells).

By making your own shampoo you can stop supporting companies that use chemicals, stop putting harmful and hazardous chemicals into our water and ground, and stop adding unnecessary toxins to your body.

Here is a simple recipe for herbal shampoo:

8 oz distilled water

1 oz herbs*

3 oz castile liquid soap

1/4 tsp jojoba oil

optional: 20 drops of pure essential oil

Bring water to boil.

Add herbs, cover, & let simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes.

Strain & cool.

Slowly add castile soap then add jojoba oil & essential oil.

Enjoy!

*calendula, nettle, and marshmallow are great for dry hair while rosemary and yarrow can be used for oily hair