As you enter motherhood, your priorities and focus naturally shift to baby. It’s very easy to let your own needs slip by the wayside and you may find yourself struggling in one way or another. From diet to lifestyle, Ayurveda offers a full regimen to help you during your postpartum journey. This article shares five top Ayurveda herbs for postpartum health that can support you on your road to recovery!
Ayurveda Herbs for Postpartum – Hormonal Health
Shatavari
When it comes to women’s health, shatavari is usually top of the list of Ayurveda herbs! Cooling and sweet, shatavari is a very soothing and nourishing herb. It’s particularly helpful in reducing postpartum ‘heat’ conditions such as inflammation, heartburn and hot flashes.
Considered Ayurveda’s top uterine tonic, shatavari can help strengthen and tone the uterus. It can also help in cases of vaginal dryness and low libido after giving birth. Shatavari works to support a healthy milk supply too, increasing both the flow and quantity. It does so by stimulating prolactin levels and works particularly well when combined with fennel seeds.
Shatavari balances both Pitta and Vata, but it’s cooling, heavy nature means it can aggravate Kapha dosha.
Ashwagandha
A close second after shatavari when it comes to supporting hormones in Ayurveda is ashwagandha. In fact, the two herbs are often combined to support hormone balance and reproductive health!
Ashwagandha is a rejuvenative tonic which increases strength along with immunity & vitality (ojas). It has a particular affinity for the reproductive tissues making it an important herb for postpartum health. It’s often used in cases of weakness and anemia, both of which can occur after childbirth.
Ashwagandha can also play a role in supporting healthy menstruation postpartum too. It helps reduce painful periods (dysmenorrhea) which can be more common after giving birth and encourage the return of absent periods (amenorrhea).
Ashwagandha balances both Vata and Kapha dosha but it’s warming quality means it may aggravate Pitta in excess.
Ayurveda Herbs for Postpartum – Mental Health
Ashwagandha
Yep you read that correctly – ashwagandha makes the list twice! While ashwagandha is a top hormone balancing herb, it’s also a rejuventative and adaptogenic herb. Adaptogens are herbs that enhance your body’s ability to adapt to and manage stress (who doesn’t need that!). It’s often used in cases of high stress, anxiety and fatigue – hello almost every new mom on the planet!
This nourishing nervine supports a tired nervous system when you are feeling emotionally unstable, drained or stressed. Most importantly for a new mom, ashwagandha helps encourage sleep. It is often used in cases of insomnia, anxiety and excessive thinking.
Brahmi
Another Ayurveda herb that can support your postpartum recovery is brahmi. Brahmi is usually used when recovering from stress and exhaustion as it is a rejuvenative to the nervous system. It can help you regain strength and peace of mind after the monumental transition to motherhood.
It’s effect on the nervous system also means it is used to alleviate insomnia so you can get some shut eye when you most need it! As well as supporting the initial stress and anxiety after having a baby, longer term, it can also help improve memory and concentration (goodbye baby brain!).
Brahmi balances all doshas, but may aggravate Vata in excess.
Ayurveda Herbs for Postpartum – Digestive Health
Triphala
While it’s not the most popular topic, your digestive health is very important after having a baby! Many women fear their first bowel movement after delivery as it can be painful, particularly if you are in any way constipated. Your care provider will likely recommend a stool softener to you to help get over this initial phase and for the first few weeks, but as time passes, it’s extremely important to avoid constipation, particularly if you had stitches.
Staying hydrated and having plenty of fibre rich foods is the most important step. For some additional support, triphala is Ayurveda’s top digestive formula which can be used to regulate bowel movements. It acts as a very mild laxative and can also help reduce gas and bloating postpartum. It’s also used to help alleviate haemorrhoids which you may have developed in the later stages of pregnancy.
Triphala balances all three doshas.
Fresh Ginger
Your digestive strength, known as agni in Ayurveda, is at an all time low after delivery. Fresh ginger is one of the best, most easily accessible herbs to help stoke your digestive fire and get it burning again! Sip fresh ginger tea throughout the day during the postpartum period. It will help combat gas and bloating while keeping your tummy feeling nice and cozy! Like shatavari, fresh ginger also helps encourage milk supply too.
Fresh ginger balances all doshas, but may aggravate Pitta if used in excess.
Postpartum recovery is unique to each woman. While Ayurveda herbs are just one piece of a much more intricate puzzle, they can offer many restorative benefits as you look to balance your hormones, ease mental stress and support healthy digestion after having your baby. Whatever stage you are at in your postpartum recovery, you are doing great! Some things will take longer than others to heal and that’s ok, just work on it one step at a time.
*Note: These herbs are not safe if you are currently pregnant. Seek advice from your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding. The information contained in this post is for educational purposes only. Please read full disclaimer here*
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