STEPS TOWARD HEALTHY BABIES
by LORENE BENOIT – BEd, CHC, MHH, NHC, CI…
PRE PREGNANCY:
It is always advised to be in optimal nutritional form before conception. Ask for “Daily Food Regime” handout. This can be achieved by full body herbal cleansing, including kidneys, colon, lymphatic, and cellular detoxification, such as the
TIAO HE PAK. A cleanse is a good way for both parents to eliminate unhealthy habits and prepare themselves for creating a new life. A clean system functions better. Proper nourishment with a whole foods diet and optimum supplementation, will contribute to balanced hormone levels. This will aid in conception, and well being for both baby and mom during the full nine months term, and after birth.
Folic Acid Plus is recommended for women planning on becoming pregnant, and essential during the first 3 months, to ensure normal spinal and neural development. 400 mcg. 200 mg. Vit. C in a base of bee pollen, rich in B Vitamins.
CONCEPTION, LIBIDO (before and after pregnancy):
X-A: Siberian Ginseng, Parthenium, Saw Palmetto, Alfalfa, Damiana, Sarsaparilla, Cornsilk, Garlic, Capsicum, and Chickweed. Tonic used both in men and women to increase conception.
Maca: nutritive tonic that improves sexual desires for men & women, supports glandular system, promotes mental clarity and concentration; buffers the effects of stress (adaptogenic).
Women’s Formula: Helps stabilize hormonal balance, tone reproductive organs, regulate ovulation and periods, alleviate PMS, soothe nerves and muscle spasms.
HAVING A HEALTHY PREGNANCY:
Red Raspberry Leaves – one herb that is renown for pregnancy. It can be used as a capsule, or opened and made into tea. It is safe and effective to take throughout pregnancy. It is high in iron and calcium fluoride, helps prevent birth defects, strengthens the uterus, and promotes flexibility for easier delivery. Women who take Red Raspberry usually have shorter labours. For post partum, Red Raspberry promotes less bleeding, faster uterine healing and helps lessen after – birth pain.
Wild Yam and Chaste Tree combination also has general positive benefits for all stages – pre conception, pregnancy and post partum. Health benefits include relieving cramps, pain, nervousness, indigestion, post partum depression and infertility; prevents miscarriage, increases milk flow.
The following formulas are excellent formulas to take during pregnancy as needed. Although some herbs carry warnings during pregnancy, remember that they are always safer than a pharmaceutical chemical, with its plethora of possible side effects. This includes antibiotics, anti-nausea, anti-gas, harsh laxatives. Always choose natural first!
MINERALS, TOXEMIA, GENERAL NUTRITION:
Mineralizing the blood helps prevent toxemia. Decrease red meat, white sugar products and white flour products; increase low glycemic vegetables.
Three: Kelp, Dandelion, and Alfalfa – concentrated, easily absorbed minerals
GreenZone is a concentrate powder full of greens, enzymes and complete nutrition. Can be blended daily in raw apple juice, pineapple juice; can add fruit. Zone balanced 40-30-30 for balanced blood sugar levels.
Chlorophyll, concentrated from alfalfa and flavoured with natural spearmint oil, chlorophyll helps builds blood and makes drinking enough water pleasant. Drink 3 cups/day to as much as desired, in hot or cold water.
Super Vitamins and Minerals provide a balanced formula in an herbal base, which enhances absorption and assimilation. Also add, Folic Acid, see above.
ANEMIA:
Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, which carries the oxygen from the lungs to every cell of the body, including the fetus. Pregnant women need extra iron. The above suggestions will often prevent anemia, but some women need more. The following are very effective choices:
I-X: Herbal formula high in iron, manganese, phosphorous, B1, B2, Vit. C, A & Zinc. Gentle laxative. Contains Red Beet Root, Yellow Dock Root, Red Raspberry Leaves, Chickweed, Burdock, Nettle, Mullein.
Yellow Dock is almost 50% iron, and it is also a gentle laxative.
CONSTIPATION:
Eat raw vegetables and fruits daily. Refer to Yellow Dock above. If needed, add:
Psyllium Hulls Combo – Psyllium hulls, licorice root and hibiscus. Gentle fibre formula can be taken daily, or as needed. Always drink a large glass of water with this. If still not having at least 1 BM daily, add LBS II, a lower bowel herbal formula, and/or Bifidophilus Flora Force.
FALSE LABOR:
Catnip & Fennel extract: drink a tea of this concentrate will help.
Lobelia 0.5 ml (1/2 dropper) every ½ hour is known to help relax spasms of the uterus. Lobelia is called the “thinking herb” in cases of threatened miscarriage (for short term use only). Lobelia is one of nature’s strongest natural nervines, making it also very useful during labour.
MISCARRIAGE:
Red Raspberry taken as capsules, or opened and made into tea helps prevent miscarriage.
C-X: Blessed Thistle, False Unicorn, Black Cohosh, Licorice, Squaw Vine, Sarsaparilla, Siberian Ginseng. . This formula was developed by Dr. John Christopher as a uterine tonic; balances hormones, also excellent for all stages of menopause, including peri and post.
Lobelia – see above under False Labour. Contact author for detailed description of lobelia.
GAS, HEARTBURN:
Papaya Mint chewable tablets aid digestion, or, when available, fresh papaya or will help.
Ginger in small amounts is also helpful, use capsules or open to make a tea.
Marshmallow Pepsin combination or Digestive Enzymes, which are a full spectrum enzymes formula also help improve digestion, thus lessening gas from fermenting food. Eat small meals.
CALCIUM / INSOMNIA:
Extra calcium is required during pregnancy. If dairy suits you, add natural, unsweetened yogurt to the diet. The following herbal CALCIUM combinations will help, taken with Chamomile or other relaxing tea before bed, as night time is when Calcium is leached from the body to neutralize acids. These combinations will also help leg cramps.
CA-ATC: Marshmallow, Alfalfa, Oat Straw, Slipper Elm, Irish Moss, Thyme, Passion Flower.
NSP also has Cal-Mag Plus D, Synerpro Calcium-Magnesium, Liquid Calcium Magnesium. All are balanced with Magnesium, Vitamin D, and in absorbable herbal bases. Ask for the best choice for you.
MORNING SICKNESS / NAUSEA:
Ginger Take 4 -6 capsules with hot water (or empty in water to make a strong tea) before rising.
B6 and Zinc are often deficient – 1 B6 and 1-3 Zinc per day. All of the following help – find what works for you:
Peppermint Essential Oil 1 drop neat or as a tea; refer also to Gas and Heartburn suggestions.
FIVE TO SIX WEEKS BEFORE DELIVERY:
The following formula will help the labour, delivery and recovery. Most midwives and many healthy Moms have used it for decades:
5-W: Black Cohosh, Squaw Vine, Dong Quai, Butcher’s Broom, Red Raspberry. (US special order product – available through Lorene Benoit Health Services)
5-W formula also helps to rebalance hormones after delivery and prevent post-partum depression.
LABOUR: The 5W formula, above will make this process easier. Lobelia during labour is very helpful to relax the organs and the mother in general. Not to exceed .5ml per hour. It can also be applied to labial area externally for natural pain reduction.
POST PARTUM:
Catnip and Fennel liquid extract is the best formula for baby’s colic, or other digestive upsets. Also safe and effective for constipation, fevers and colds.
Wild Yam and Chaste Tree: to help rebalance hormones promoting progesterone activity. Helps alleviate post partum depression, stimulates milk production, relieves muscle spasms and pain. Any 5W left over from before birth can also be used for this benefit.
All the above supplements and more can be found at TakeTheNaturalPath.myNSP.com, or by contacting the author for personal assistance.
As some formulas have multiple uses, you may choose to consult with a qualified Natural Health Practitioner to get the best formula for your circumstances. You may also wish to follow your blood type diet. An investment in your health at this time will reap life long benefits in the health of you and your child. For more information, please contact:
Lorene Benoit & Associates Health Education, Duncan, BC, 250-748-6802
Phone consultations available, or call for referrals to natural health practitioners in other locations.