How do you find resources you can trust around perinatal herbal care?
Whether you're a birthworker, an herbalist, or on your own fertility/pregnancy/postpartum journey, it can feel confusing to sort through all the information on herbal safety and efficacy in pregnancy, birth and postpartum (especially if you're nursing).
Not to mention how to comfortably incorporate herbs into the world of assisted reproductive technology (IUI, IVF, etc).
It's actually not something taught extensively at herb schools or foundational programs. And in my experience of being in both the midwifery world and the herbal world, I actually found that there are a LOT of gaps in people's understanding of safety and efficacy with herbs in these times.
Even experienced herbalists will shy away from working with clients in pregnancy. And I found some midwives and birthworkers working with herbs that have been clearly shown to be questionable in pregnancy.
Herbs can be incredible allies when TTC, pregnant, during the birthtime, and postpartum.
But figuring out which ones are appropriate is a little less straightforward, and it's essential to get some guidance (or have some resources on hand).
In her new book, The Herbal Doula, herbalist-author Marie White weaves together her embodied herbal practice with current scientific evidence to offer a balanced view on how to work with herbs in these more sensitive times.
Her approach is very gentle, nourishing, simple, accessible and inclusive.
I really love that she creates space for the gender spectrum *and* the diversity of family structures that aren't just heteronormative, while also including those who fall into more typical structures too.
It's a beautiful world-bridging resource, and also a wealth of solid information about herbal allies in the childbearing years and beyond - and we talk all about this and more in today's conversation.
Listen to learn:
why Marie White all but left the "herbal community"
how ableism impacts all of us, including how we work with herbs
about the lack of resources for those on the gender + relationship spectrum
some very simple herbs to support nourishing + replenishing postpartum
the impacts of climate change + extreme weather events on hormones
how herbs can help mitigate the effects of ecological extremes
Marie's favorite herb (I bet you already have this growing, or know someone who does!)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an her
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