Postpartum anxiety often goes undiagnosed in new mothers since it’s not often accompanied by depression. Fortunately, there are a number of herbs, supplements and techniques that can relieve the unrelenting worry that comes with postpartum anxiety.
Nervines are excellent herbal allies for soothing postpartum anxiety. These nerve tonics offer gentle relaxation and calm without being too sedative. They restore emotional balance while nourishing the nerves and nervous system. Nervines specifically “help calm anxiety, heart, and GI tract symptoms caused by stress, mild sleeplessness, [and] irritability” (Winston & Maimes 206). They include antidepressant, pain relieving, and sleep enhancing qualities.
Let’s explore some of the best nervines for postpartum anxiety.
Nena Complo offers women and families holistic support throughout the childbearing years. She is a holistic birth & postpartum doula, yoga teacher, and midwifery student. Nena lives with her sweet husband and their two radiant daughters in LoveLand, Ohio.
Postpartum anxiety lends to racing thoughts, and a driving compulsion to be constantly moving. Breathing exercises require coordinating movement and breath, a balance that necessitates focused attention and feels like “doing something.” Tuning into the mind-body connection, even for a moment in the midst of chaos, can melt tension as your awareness settles into your breath and your body. Belly breathing is particularly grounding, gentle, and easy. It is accessible anytime, anywhere!
Before we experiment with belly breathing, let’s look at your current breathing pattern.
Nena Complo offers women and families holistic support throughout the childbearing years. She is a holistic birth & postpartum doula, yoga teacher, and midwifery student. Nena lives with her sweet husband and their two radiant daughters in LoveLand, Ohio.
Nettles and nettle tea are a great restorative and soothing medicinal used to help with postpartum fatigue, exhaustion and some of the anxiety that many new mothers feel.
Nettle tea is very nourishing though it has a robust leafy flavor. I sometimes have it instead of a cup of black tea because it gives me a slight pick me up, but it’s calming at the same time, unlike black tea. Its deep green chlorophyll helps create strong rich blood which strengthens a woman’s vitality. Since they are both a calming and restorative herb, nettles are a great choice as part of a natural treatment for postpartum fatigue and anxiety.
Mari is a licensed practitioner of Chinese medicine, a singer/songwriter and the creator of Mamashine. She is also a survivor of postpartum depression. Mari lives with her energetic son, her husband and various animals in Austin, TX.