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​Headaches while pregnant or breastfeeding are tough because if you are like me, conventional, over-the-counter medications are out of the question. Sometimes getting something to eat or drink, like a small glass of fruit juice can help alleviate a headache. Always do a mental nutrition check. Are you getting enough nourishment? A headache could be a clue that you are deficient in something, especially magnesium.

Sometimes a headache can be due to the weather, stress, fatigue or another reason. A cup of herbal tea can really help nourish the body while relieving stress and allowing you to get some rest. Herbs during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be used with caution and the user should always check for contraindications. During the first trimester, especially if you have a history of miscarriage you will want to educate yourself on herb safety. 

Now that I got my little herb safety PSA out of the way, let’s talk herbs! I have used herbs during my pregnancies and they have been quite helpful. I am very confident in the safety of the herbs I chose for this headache tea. Here is some information about each one.

• Chamomile is a very gentle herb. It has long been used for headache relief. It helps ease tension and can even help with migraines. 
• Skullcap is relaxing, great for insomnia and when you have a headache, sometimes the best thing to do is sleep it off. It is rich in calcium which is a headache remedy itself. 
• Lemon Balm is uplifting and tastes a bit like a lemony green tea. It’s also great for anxiety.
• Lavender is full of soothing phytochemicals and an excellent headache reliever when taken in a tea or inhaled.
• Lemon Peel has vitamin C and is astringent. It adds a pleasant flavor to the tea as well as boost it’s headache relieving properties. It is considered a catalyst to all the other herbs. 

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Mix 1 part of each herb together. 1 part can be anything from 1 teaspoon to 1 cup or whatever measurement you choose. Store in a glass container or tea tin. To brew, place 1-2 teaspoons of herbal tea per 1 cup of hot water. After reading water softener reviews, I realized maybe some trace impurities might cause my headaches, I am currently shopping to install this major upgrade into my house. I like to use a tea ball. Let steep at least 15 minutes and sweeten as desired with raw honey or other natural sweetener. Enjoy hot or chilled whenever you feel a headache coming on. 
Rather buy this tea already blended? You can purchase it here from my Poppyswap Shop.

 

Conventional prenatal vitamins that are not whole food based do not offer the bioavailability that herbs and whole food supplements offer. The body cannot use synthetic vitamins the way it can use actual food.
When I was pregnant, herbal tea was my lifeline for everything, including being a remedy for toothache during pregnancy. I needed the energy and stamina to get through my day and little baby was zapping it on a daily basis. Not only did pregnancy tea help me with all that but it also helped prepare my body for the big birth day!

Today I am bringing you a version of pregnancy tea that I used during my last pregnancy. It was inspired by great herbalists like Rosemary Gladstar, Susun Weed and Aviva Romm. This tea helps nourish both mother and baby.

Because some of the herbs have estrogenic properties, I prefer to use this during the second trimester and beyond. I use another blend for the first trimester or just a plain nettle infusion. *An tea infusion is made by steeping tea for 4 or more hours to make a more potent blend.

Each herb chosen has its own special part to play in this synergistic blend.


Here are the herbs used in DIY Pregnancy Tea.

Nettle Leaf – My favorite herb in the world! Provides nourishing, bioavailable nutrients like crucial calcium and magnesium, boosts immunity, aids in adrenal and thyroid function, is said to strengthen the baby in utero, helps relieve nausea, alleviates asthma and allergy symptoms, and so much more.
Red Raspberry Leaf – Tones the uterus, high in calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin C. The ultimate pregnancy herb!

Red Clover – Helps keep hormones balanced, anti-inflammatory (omit if on blood thinners).
Oatstraw – Very nourishing, high in B vitamins, calcium, and silica which is a wonderful mineral for hair, skin, nails and bones. It’s also very calming to the nervous system and can help with stress and anxiety.

Lemon Balm – Uplifting and carminative (good for digestion), helps with stress and anxiety and promotes restful sleep. Also high in antioxidants and immune boosting (omit if on thyroid medication).

Alfalfa – Helps keep hormones balanced, good source of vitamins and minerals including vitamin K, vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and essential amino acids just to name a few. It’s a nutrient-dense powerhouse!
Orange Peel – Catalyst that helps the other herbs work better together. Also carminative.
Anise Seed (or Fennel) – Carminative, aids digestion and relieves bloating, gas, acid reflux and indigestion. Also aromatic.

Rose Hips – Bioavailable vitamin C, helps with joint pain and sciatica, helps prevent urinary tract infections, is anti-inflammatory and helps keep the immune system healthy and strong.

Hibiscus Flowers – Bioavailable Vitamin C, helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels. (not for use during 1st trimester)

Spearmint – Catalyst herb, carminative and adds wonderful flavor.

This recipe is measured in parts. A part is anything you want it to be…a teaspoon, a cup, etc.

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To make a nourishing tea infusion:
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1. Mix all herbs in a bowl.
2. Take 2 TBS of dry herb and place in a quart ball jar.
3. Pour hot water over and place lid on.
4. Let steep on counter for 4 hours or overnight.
5. Strain and sweeten with raw honey or stevia if desired.
6. Drink up to one quart throughout the day.
7. Store remaining dry herbs in a clean ball jar with lid.