Traditional herbs during pregnancy
Herbal medicine originated in China over 5,000 years ago and has developed from other ancient and indigenous cultures. In recent years, herbal medicine has been embraced by western culture and to some degree by traditional medicine, through increasing research. Herbal medicine is sometimes used to complement conventional medical treatments.
Herbs aim to balance the energies in the body that can cause illness, treating the cause rather than the symptoms of illness, stimulating the immune system and hopefully easing the symptoms to aid the body to heal itself.
Herbs are created from whole plants as distinct from medical drugs that are sometimes synthesised from plant extracts. It is thought that by using the whole plant, many side affects of the synthesised drugs can be avoided. There are many methods used to take herbs including teas or infusions, creams, ointments, compresses or liniments, syrups, powders or poultices, capsules, tablets or tinctures (herbs suspended in alcohol). The specific preparation taken will depend on the condition being treated.
Herbalism tends to be used more for chronic illnesses, rather than emergency situations. Some of the more common conditions treated include allergies, addictions, asthma, eczema, stress and anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure, depression, digestion and viral illnesses to name a few. Some couples use them to treat infertility and women may be prescribed certain preparations for menstrual problems, pregnancy ailments and after the birth. Often herbs are more effective if combined with other therapies such acupuncture and lifestyle changes.
There are thousands of different herbs available, encompassing many cultures and societies. Chinese herbs and traditional herbs tend to be used more commonly in Australia with many being prescribed for use during pregnancy (under certain conditions). This should be supervised by a qualified herbalist.