Pregnancy Notes: Postpartum Herbal Sitz Bath {recipe}

Herbal sitz baths are extremely soothing, relaxing, healing and a great way to pamper a new mama after going through the tiring workout of laboring and birthing a little baby.

What are Sitz Baths?

Some of you might have never heard of a sitz bath. I sure didn't know heck about it until my midwife explain it to me. A sitz bath is literally what it sounds like - a bath where you sit in warm water that covers the buttocks and hips.

Sitting in warm, herbal infused water helps clean the sensitive area, bring healing, soothe soreness, aid in shrinking hemorrhoids, prevent infection, relieves pain, reduces swelling, heals tears and increase blood flow to the areas starting at your belly button, down around to your lower back bone & to the where the baby made an appearance. These herbs can truly help speed along recovery!

You can do your sitz bath in the bathtub or in a large bowl, but make sure you have someone to help you in and out. After my 2nd & 3rd babies, I used my kids' little bathtub and it worked great, but this 4th time around... I was able to use an actual bathtub and enjoyed a long soak! Taking a relaxing bath is a rare treat for me  :)

My First Sitz Bath

My midwife brought a bag of herbs over and prepared my first sitz bath after Tabitha's birth. I was eager to give it a try, but was a little skeptical that it would do much to relieve the little pain I had from my tear.

I was so wrong... It was amazedly soothing and totally won me over. I took a sitz bath everyday for a week and wanted more!

Plus, I noticed rapid healing of my tear along with putting on a combination of aloe vera, coconut oil and raw honey. I am thankful to say that I never tore again with my 3rd and 4th babies.

I, of course, asked her for the recipe when I became pregnant with Tobias. Unfortunely, her recipe called for a lot of herbs… making it a little too expensive for me to make a small batch for myself.

So, she recommended simply using a combination of Lavender, Chamomile, Rosemary and Calendula Flowers… much like the ingredients used for the Soothing Postpartum Pads! I also decided to add in Comfrey leaf as it is excellent to use on a stretched & sore perineum, Yarrow for is ability to stop bleeding and sea salt which provides needed minerals to help speed healing.

The Ingredients & Benefits
Below you will read the medicinal properties of each herb that help pamper and heal the new mama. This Healing Postpartum Herbal Sitz Bath will leave you feeling refreshed, renewed and relaxed.

• Chamomile Flowers: This herb is best known for its soothing & delicious aromatic smell and taste. It is widely used as a mild sedative. Chamomile displays a wide range of healing properties such as being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic and even anti-body odor... all coming from the daisy-like flowers, which contain volatile oils as well as flavonoids. It also improves wound healing, which is great for tears and c-sections, along with bringing good flow of blood to the skin surface thus inducing perspiration and helps regulate menstrual flow. Chamomile is one of the best herbal sources of niacin, magnesium and essential fatty acids.
• Rosemary Leaf: Called the "herb of remembrance" by Shakespeare, this herb has the ability to strengthen the entire body and relieve pain (like lavender) associated with muscle pains, sore muscles & headaches. Rosemary helps boosts mental activity, so when your brain feels tired (and we do feel brain-tired after birthing a baby!), take deep breaths as you enjoy the sitz bath for fresh mental energy. It also contains good concentrations of 2 dozens or so antioxidants.
• Comfrey Leaf: The latin name of this herb translates "knitting together". One of the main healing properties in comfrey is allantoin, an anti-inflammatory that perks up the immune system, speeds wound healing and encourages new skin and cell growth. It has a long history of being used as an external application for mending of wounds and broken bones. Comfrey is a contact healer, relieving pain and immediately helping the growth of new flesh and bone. It is also high in calcium and vitamin C. 
• Yarrow Flower: Considered the "poor man's chamomile", Yarrow contains a volatile oil which is similar to chamomile and has been medically documented to be very effective anti-inflammatory agent. It contains aromatic compounds that shrink inflamed tissues and promote sweeting. It also contains bitter compounds that relieve smooth muscle spasms, reduce blood pressure and helpful in stopping bleeding from hemorrhage. The herb has antibacterial and antifungal compounds that are helpful in replenishing the intestinal flora.
• Lavender Flowers: Best known for its relaxing effect on the mind and body, Lavender's soothing properties is readily absorb into the skin and not only promotes restfulness, but it helps in treating pain, anxiety & nervousness, exhaustion, restlessness, emotional stress, headaches and increase mental activity. It is also an excellent remedy for various types of pains caused by sore muscles, tense muscles, muscular aches, backaches and the lumbago (lower back) area. Lavender is excellent for improving blood circulation in the body, which is essential for complete healing in the perineum area. It also has antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties.
• Calendula Flowers: A herb long used through Europe and the Americas for wound healing and ulcer treatments, Calendula is known for its amazing healing properties. The phytochemicals in these flowers opposes fungi, bacteria, viruses and inflammation. Calendula also excite the white blood ells in the immune system to fight microbial invaders with a little more vigor. It is good for treating skin problems of all kinds, especially cuts, scrapes, bruises and minor wounds.
• Sea Salt: A natural detoxifier, sea salt provides the needed minerals to help the body heal quickly.

Healing Herbal Sitz Bath

2 cups chamomile flowers

2 cups rosemary leaf

2 cups comfrey leaf
2 cups yarrow flowers

1 cup lavender flowers

1 cup calendula flowers
2 cups sea salt

Mix all the herbs & sea salt together in a large bowl. Store in a glass jar and keep in a cool & dry place.

Fill a large pot with 1 gallon of water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add 2 cups of the herbal mixture or stuff the loose herbs in cotton muslin cloth bags. Cover and let it sit until warm. Strain (or pour it all in if you don't care about loose herbs!) liquid into a bathtub or large bowl/basin and add warm water until it covers your hips & buttocks.

Sit and relax in tub for 20 minutes or more. You can soak with your baby as it will speed along cord healing. If using bowl or large basin, sit or squat carefully in it for 10-15 minutes.

Gently pat dry and do it everyday for at least a week. You can use the Soothing Postpartum Pads for extra healing & comfort!

Have you ever done a sitz bath? Have you used herbs for postpartum care? What herbs and how did they help you?

Note: The links above are my affiliate links and I will earn a small commission if you decide to order the herbs and other supplies through those links (no extra charge to you!). Thank you for reading this and supporting my family through your purchases!

Read More

Pregnancy Notes: Super Happy Belly Tea {recipe}

I love drinking my pregnancy tea everyday!  I keep a pitcher of this wonderful stuff in the fridge ready to go whenever I need it and often have to make a double batch because my family loves to drink it too. The flavor is so delicious and lightly sweet that I rarely add honey or stevia when enjoying my quart for the day.

I did not drink any kind of pregnancy tea with my first baby, but was introduced to it to by my 2nd midwife when I was pregnant with Tabitha (my 2nd). She had her own pregnancy tea recipe and made it for all her mamas. I was hooked on it from my first drink and I loved how it made me feel!

So, when I became pregnant with Tobi (baby#3)... I knew I had to get that recipe from her and after doing more research, decided to add in 2 more herbs to create a more potent tea to improve overall health of myself and baby, thus the name "Super Happy Belly Tea" was born!

The Ingredients & Its Benefits

Below you will read all the amazing benefits these herbs provide to improve overall health for the mama and baby! Most midwives will say that it is better to drink this special tea instead of taking prenatal vitamins because our bodies absorb the nutrients from herbal teas more easily than from vitamins. However, I did both... but that is for another "note" post in the near future :)

Now, before you read on, I have to say this for legal reasons... consult your midwife or doctor about any changes you make to your diet while pregnant. Herbs can cause interactions with pharmaceutical drugs, and just because they are natural, does not mean they are safe for everyone. With that being said, the use of herbs in pregnancy has a long, safe record in human history!

• Red Raspberry Leaf: This herb is every pregnant mama's best herbal friend! It is the best single herb that we can take for total uterine health. There is a long list of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that the uterus needs to work efficiently. Red Raspberry Leaf has basically all of them! It is filled with essential minerals and vitamins like magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, E, A and B complex. It also contains easily assimilated calcium and iron. This mama's best friend increases fertility, tones the uterus, aids in easy birthing, restores the womb after birthing, helps prevent miscarriage, reduces morning sickness, soothes muscle/leg cramps and backache, and counters fatigue. This herb is not only great for mama and baby, but for the whole family... read more here!
• Nettle Leaf: You will find that nettle supplies amazing amounts of energy! It is rich in chlorophyll, a significant source of vitamins A, D, C, B, and K, bio-available minerals, including huge amounts of calcium, magnesium silicon, and potassium chloride; protein, and dietary fiber. It prevents folic acid anemia and iron deficiency anemia, and is also a digestive aid, a strengthener to the lungs, an ally of the kidneys, and a restorative to the hair and skin. It has the ability to increase the efficiency of liver and kidney function, which very important during pregnancy. It also helps prevent varicose veins and hemorrhoids, eases leg cramps and backache, reduces the incidence of hemorrhage after birth, and increases the richness of breast milk.
• Red Clover Blossoms: This is a herb that you may encounter as not recommended for pregnancy. I expressed my concerns to my 2nd midwife and she referred me to this trusted informative article which states "The infusion [red clover blossoms] prevents and eases the constipation so common during pregnancy. It also strengthens the liver and improves appetite, especially when morning sickness is a problem. And it relieves anxiety." Red Clover, like alfalfa, contains chlorophyll and has been called by herbalists a “God given remedy”. These flowers are used in folk medicine as a cure for any cancerous lump or tumor and its alkaline qualities purify the blood. It is used to treat infertility and the generous amounts of minerals, proteins, antioxidants, and phytoestrogens in red clover restores health to the entire reproductive system (great for men too!). Red Clover is an excellent herbal source of calcium, chromium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Plus, it is valued for keeping breast milk rich and our breasts healthy!
• Alfalfa: Called the “king of plants”, this herb is supremely rich in vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, potassium, silicon, and trace elements. It has 8 essential amino acids and the highest chlorophyll content of any plant. Alfalfa help aids in relieving morning sickness, prevents anemia and hemmorhaging. Midwives often recommend Alfalfa instead of an iron supplement to help us mamas build red blood cells. Alfalfa also contains a little known, but very important, vitamin - Vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting needed for mama & baby after birth.
• Peppermint: Mostly used in this tea for its soothing flavor, Peppermint is also helpful for alleviating symptoms of heartburn so common among pregnant mamas. It is also good for all digestive problems, expels stomach & colon gas, promotes relaxation, cleanses & tones the body and it can be used instead of aspirin for headaches.
• Dandelion Leaf & Root: This amazing herb is one I decided to add into the mix to create a more potent pregnancy tea after reading this article and doing more research. Both the leaf and root of the Dandelion is very nourishing for the liver, which is critical during pregnancy. A lack of strong liver function is connected to morning sickness, hemorrhoids, constipation, heartburn, indigestion, lack of energy, headaches, and mood swings. Dandelion is rich in many nutrients, vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron and vitamin A. This plant helps control blood pressure by reducing excess fluids in the body as well as by the presence of mannitol, a substance commonly prescribed in Europe for hypertension. Dandelion contains all the nutritive salts for the blood. It restores and balances the blood so anemia that is caused by deficiencies of these blood salts disappears. It also contains bitter compounds that enhance the efficiency of the body’s eliminative and detoxifying functions. These compounds help restore normal liver function, increase the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, particularly bile, increase the flow of urine and have a laxative effect... all very important functions that should be in good working order during pregnancy! Finally, this amazing weed enriches breast milk in nursing mothers.
• Oatstraw: Another herb I added into the mix, Oatstraw is an excellent herbal source of magnesium. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to menstrual disorders, irritability and poor calcium absorption. This herb has been used to treat hysteria, calcium deficiency, nervous disorders, urinary tract infections and osteoporosis. It is useful for bone building (vital for mama and baby) and is a nerve tonic.

Making the Tea Yourself
Wow, was all that amazing or what?! I'm sure you are ready to order all those herbs like I was after learning all that. I bought everything except the Red Clover Blossoms from the Bulk Herb Store. I love their prices, excellent customer services, fantastic quality and all the ingredients you need are organic! The Red Clover Blossoms I bought from Mountain Rose Herbs because it has primarily blossoms, while the Red Clover Tops at Bulk Herb has both blossoms and some leaves.

Another good thing to remember is that you don't need to wait until you are pregnant to start drinking this wonderful tea. Start drinking it now to heal and prepare your body! Plus, this is a great tea to share with your man and older children to increase overall health for the whole family.

If you decided to buy everything in bulk you can just mix what you need and have enough to last through your pregnancy and even through nursing. You will have extras of each herb, but they can be used for other things.

Second option is to simply mix everything together with only some herbs leftover, which is what I did. I made a HUGE batch of it about 2 years ago when pregnant with Tobi. I had so much leftover that I was able to give some away as gifts to other pregnant mamas... yeah, putting this tea in a dressed up jar made wonderful gifts!

Third option is to simply order Bulk Herb Store's already made pregnancy tea if making your own seems too much for you right now. Either way, you will still be getting important vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum health!

Super Happy Belly Tea

4 parts Red Raspberry Leaf
4 parts Nettle Leaf
3 parts Red Clover Blossoms
3 parts Alfalfa
2-3 parts Peppermint
1 part Dandelion Leaf (optional)
1 part Dandelion Root (optional)
1 part Oatstraw (optional)

Mix everything together in a large bowl or pot. Store in airtight containers or jars in a dark, cool place.

Hot tea: add 2-3 teaspoons of the premixed herbs to 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for up to 10 minutes, cover the mug. Strain and add raw honey or stevia to taste.

Cold tea: To make a pitcher of cold tea, add 10-12 teaspoons of the premixed herbs to 8 cups of boiling water. Let it sit for a while (30 minutes up to 4 hours for maximum absorption of the vitamins & minerals), strain and add raw honey or stevia if desired. Discard the used herbs, and put the tea in the refrigerator to drink over ice or it can be reheated.

Herbal ice cubes: Pour finished and cooled Super Happy Belly Tea into ice cube trays. Put in the freezer. Pop them out when frozen and put some in your quart of pregnancy tea for the day. I love this method because I can iced my tea using herbal ice cubes and it won't dilute the flavors!

My midwife said to drink at least a quart or more everyday and to drink it slowly throughout the day. That's hard to do when this tea is so good and I often drink more than a quart a day!

Also, it has been said that it is best to start drinking small amounts during your first trimester, then increase it to a quart by your second trimester and to drink it through the third trimester. If you have been drinking this tea before you became pregnant, don't stop drinking it! Simply decrease the amount to a half quart or so until you are in your 2nd trimester and increase it back up to a quart or more each day.

Hope you will enjoy this tea as much as I did!

Also, the links above are my affiliate links and I will earn a small commission if you decide to order the herbs through those links (no charge to you!). Thank you for reading this and supporting my family through your purchases!

Read More

Celebration GIVEAWAY: Making Herbs SIMPLE DVD (Vol. 1)

Well! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is looking forward to a great New Year!

Now, I was planning to post the 3rd Celebration Giveaway this past Sunday or yesterday, but we got knocked down to 24 hour dial-up after using up our limit with all the skyping we did with the grandparents  ;o)

BUT... better late then never!

So, the giveaway...

To FIVE winners, I am giving away 1 copy of Making Herbs SIMPLE DVD!

I really enjoyed this video and like how simply Shoshanna taught, step-by-step, on how to find, wash, dry and store herbs. She also teaches the hands-on steps of making poultices, tinctures and more!


When I first started watching the DVD... my 5 year old daughter, Naomi, came over and watched it with me and enjoyed it so much that she wanted to watch it again! Like the title says... it is so simple that my daughter is able to understand and thoroughly enjoy how God made all these amazing herbs (that are often considered weeds) to bring healing to our bodies. She even talked to me afterwards and pretty much explained what each herb is, the benefits and how to use them. I LOVED that! The video didn't have closed caption, so it was great to hear Naomi sum it all up like a pro and made sure that I understood what Shoshanna was saying! LOL!


So, if you are looking for a good instructional video on herbs for your child's homeschooling program or just to teach them in your own time... this is the one for you! Funny, captivating and simple... your kids will enjoy learning how to find and using herbs to improve their health!

Now, I have to talk about Bulk Herb Store.

I love their products, the prices and quality!

I made my own pregnancy tea using their herbs and the taste was delicious. I'll have to share with you my recipe... soon I hope!

Since we don't drink coffee in this family... we like to drink a lot of tea around here! I am a die-hard fan of Rooibos Tea and I like it just the way it is... no raw honey! I've learned to appreciate its earthy, rustic flavors. Of course, there are some days where I just need a little sweetness to my tea  ;o)

You can see that I have banners on my blog supporting BHS. If you are considering making some purchases... please use my links. I will get a small commission for each purchase and it is no extra cost to you! Thank you for your support!

Now, let's get to the giveaway... shall we?

How to Enter

Just leave a comment below sharing your favorite herb, tea or herbal remedy! (1 entry)

To maximize your odds of winning, you can leave a comment every day! (one comment per day strictly enforced)

4 bonus entries:

'Like' Bulk Herb Store on Facebook (1 entry)

'Like' Shoshanna on Facebook (1 entry)

'Like' Just Making Noise on Babble (1 entry)

Follow Just Making Noise via emails or RSS feed (1 entry)

So, you can have a total of 5 entries today and one everyday until December 31st January 14th! This giveaway is only open to US residents and the winners will be selected via random.org at the end of this month. Winner will be contacted in January.

PLEASE include your email in each entry to leave for me to contact you. Thank you!

Also, don't forget you can purchase Just Making Ice Cream for a suggested donation of $8 through this month! That is $4 off the original suggested donation.

Have a great New Year!!

Read More