Being a mother is arguably one of the most sacred, endearing jobs in the world. I think most mothers would agree that there are many times where we ignore our own needs and instead put all of our energy into nurturing and growing our children. It’s easy to let our own health and wellness sit on the backburner.
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I carried my water bottle everywhere with me, and would drink nearly a gallon of water per day. I thought to myself, “this is so easy! Why do some mothers say they have a hard time remembering to drink water?”
Then my baby was born and I realized what they meant.
You don’t think about carrying your own water bottle around anymore, you think about grabbing your child’s water bottle. If you don’t have enough hands going into the store, you don’t grab your own water bottle, you grab your child’s water bottle.
Same for snacks. And meals. And jackets.
It takes lots of intentionality to remember to nurture and nourish myself just as much as my child. Because my child’s health is my priority.
But we have to remember as mothers, OUR health is OUR priority too.
One of the ways that I love making sure I’m getting enough nutrients and nourishment in my day, is by incorporating herbs into my diet.
Not only is it such an easy way to get quick nourishment, but these herbs are nutrient-rich, packed with vitamins, and they will give you so much energy and a great BOOST to your day.
So I think these five herbs should be essential for every mother to have in her medicine cabinet for the sake of her OWN health.
Nettle
What kind of herbalist would I even be if Nettle wasn’t one of my favorite herbs? Nettle is a favorite among many herbalists because of all the incredible nutrients and minerals that it contains. Nettle is known as a real herbal “multivitamin” because it holds such high amounts of nutrients, as well as containing them in a form that is very absorbable to our bodies.
Nettle has Vitamin A, C, E, F, K, Zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, selenium, boron, bromine, chlorophyll, potassium, phosphorus, iodine, chromium, and many of the B Complex Vitamins. It has more protein than almost any other plant.
According to some sources, One quart of a nettle infusion contains 1000 mg of Calcium, 300 mg of magnesium, and 600 mg of potassium.
I highly recommend that all mothers start their day with nettle infusions. In fact, I think it’s essential to regularly drink nettles in order to nourish your body and have the energy to explore and keep up with children all day!
Nettles are a very nourishing, safe herb, which means that you can feel free to share your nettle infusion with your little ones too. My daughter is 17 months and usually drinks a few ounces of mine throughout the day.
Click here to learn how to make an herbal infusion.
Oatstraw
Oatstraw is excellent for mothers because it is an incredibly gentle, nourishing herb. It supports the immune system, as well as gently increasing your body’s tolerance to stress– now what mama couldn’t use a higher stress tolerance?
Oatstraw contains high amounts of calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, and B. It contains Resistant Starch which functions like fiber in that it escapes digestion and feeds friendly gut bacteria.
The best way to get the nutrients from oatstraw is in an infusion (same as nettle). I like to rotate my nettle and oatstraw infusions every other day or so, sometimes with a break in between.
Oatstraw is also a very gentle nutritive herb, so you can feel free to share your infusion with your little ones!
Red Raspberry Leaf
Red Raspberry Leaf has been used for hundreds, if not thousands of years, specifically to support Women’s health. It contains vital nutrients like calcium, iron and magnesium, as well as strong antioxidant properties.
Red Raspberry leaf provides almost all of the nutrients needed for a healthy uterus, as well as toning and relaxing muscles in the pelvis.
It is excellent for PMS symptoms, relieving cramps and regulating hormones. It’s a must have for mothers!
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs! It is anti-inflammatory due largely to the Rosmarinic Acid and Ursolic Acid contained in the plant. Rosemary is warming and spicy, and it’s excellent for getting the blood flowing and increasing circulation.
I love the flavor so I love adding rosemary tincture to a cup of water and sipping it throughout the day. It increases circulation up to the scalp and brain, so it’s often said that it can help increase memory. Shakespeare actually used the line “rosemary for remembrance” in his play Hamlet. Rosemary has a historical use for minor memory problems, and I feel like it helps my “mom brain” when I drink it regularly!
I also love to use rosemary as a hair rinse because it helps promote hair growth due to bringing circulation to the scalp. I make a rosemary infusion, let it cool, and then take it in the shower with me to pour over my scalp and through my hair.
*rosemary is not safe in pregnancy
Lemon Balm
You know those days when you’re barely making it until bedtime? Where you hide in the bathroom to breathe and take a break because your nerves feel so frazzled and your system is in overload?
Ideally those days shouldn’t be happening on the reg, and I think a lot of things can contribute to mother’s stress…lack of sleep, lack of support, adrenal fatigue, etc.
BUT regardless of the cause, we all have those days.
And when we feel that way, lemon balm is here to help.
Lemon Balm is an incredible anxiety reducer and a calming, nourishing plant that gently helps strengthen and calm our frazzled nerves and anxious minds.
Lemon balm can be taken as a tincture, or as a tea. It’s also very gentle so it’s safe for children who may also be having anxious thoughts or a racing mind.
I use all of these herbs every week. Typically I rotate nettle and oatstraw infusions every other day, I add rosemary tincture to my water a few days a week, and I take lemon balm tincture as needed when I’m feeling anxious. I drink red raspberry leaf infusions to support my body around my menstruation, as well the during late pregnancy.
Which of these herbs are you most excited to try?!
