There is so much exciting to tell about herbs and pregnancy, so here is a little series of posts about this. So just look forward to more tips about good herbs during pregnancy, plants for challenges during pregnancy and which essential oils are good and why for mother and child. But today: questions and answers to what we see many people wondering about. 🐝🌻🌿
Pregnancy is a sacred time (although it can be a python too). It is a unique time, a transformation, and an opportunity for joy and celebration of the new life that mother brings forth ❤️ Herbs and herbal medicine has been a natural choice in all cultures, for thousands of years, right up to our time, to support both women and children. It was the same for me, and for many of you.
🙋♀️ I am passionate about women's and children's health, and would like to share knowledge and experiences with good herbs and of course products I developed during these periods that have helped me a lot with everything from pregnancy challenges, to birth preparation, during birth, preventing tearing, to itching, cramps before and after birth, hair loss after birth, to caring for delicate and sensitive baby skin and babies with colic, stuffy nose, dry skin and so much more. Here on the farm, both the kids and I have had herbs in our lives every day 🌱, for support and joy, care and well-being. The kids have practically grown up with this in their lives every day.
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🤔 Are Vossabia's products safe to use during pregnancy?
Yes 🙌 We use herbs that are safe and good, and the essential oils are usually diluted in a 1% ratio in the ointments, and the herbs are safe during pregnancy, with one exception that you can be careful with: I would avoid Panther balm on the stomach area and large areas during pregnancy as it contains eucalyptus which you should be careful with. It is only 0.5% eucalyptus, so it is well diluted, but it is best to be careful. It is no problem to lubricate small areas where there is pain, ache, itching, stuffy nose, against mosquitoes etc. 👌
🤔 What product is recommended to apply to the stomach area and breasts to keep the skin soft and prevent stretch marks?
We have long experience with Calendula Balm and Chamomile Balm as being good for softening the skin and preventing stretch marks on both breasts and stomach, but we cannot guarantee that you will not get them at all 😉 I would also eat a good diet, drink plenty of water, take omega-3 oil, among other things. Body balm with wild herbs also has good and safe herbs for pregnant women, and is very emollient. These will both provide comfort and not least contribute to smoother skin.
🤔 What product can be used in the vagina for itching, yeast infections, and to prepare the skin there for childbirth?
Chamomile Balm ! As an antifungal, anti-itch, anti-bacterial and soothing plant, chamomile is brilliant, and in this wonderful Chamomile Balm there is lots of chamomile, safe and gentle, and great to lubricate the lower abdomen with throughout pregnancy to prepare the skin for birth 🤰 Feel free to use Calendula Balm in the lower abdomen too. Sensuell also works well, and it is also wonderful for maintaining sensuality throughout pregnancy and the time after when you are ready for it again 🥰
🤔 What product can be used on sore nipples, and is it dangerous for the baby to breastfeed after the mother has lubricated her breasts?
Calendula Balm with 1% lavender, safe and good during pregnancy (and also for newborns), is very wound-healing, tissue-building and anti-inflammatory, and absolutely indispensable for sore nipples! It is truly the family's home pharmacy 🏥 with all its good properties, and it is not dangerous for the baby to breastfeed and suck on a nipple that has been lubricated with it Calendula Balm .
🤔 What products are good and safe for hemorrhoids that can occur during pregnancy and after?
Calendula Balm is good for hemorrhoids! I would use it during pregnancy, and if it occurs after giving birth I would use both Calendula Balm and Panterbalsam . The latter has received a lot of feedback regarding its quick effect on hemorrhoids as well 🙌
🤔 What is the best way to prevent sores and pain in the buttocks during diaper time?
In 2007, I developed a baby ointment for Ylva, because she quickly became red and sore from the ammonia in her urine. But with this safe and effective Baby Ointment with beeswax, lanolin, organic plant oils and lavender, the sores disappeared quickly! 💚 And we recommend using it after every diaper change to avoid the problem altogether, so your little beauty will be free from soreness and pain under her diaper.
🤔 Can Panterbalsam be used by pregnant women and newborns?
As mentioned, I would like to ask for caution here because of the eucalyptus oil. With only 0.5% in the ointment diluted with beeswax and organic sunflower and thistle oil, one should still respect strong essential oils. I have used Panterbalsam for stuffy noses from 3-4 months of age, carefully. If you are breastfeeding, I would use breast milk as long as possible to loosen a stuffy nose: spray breast milk up the baby's nose and you will see! ⚠️ So use with great caution on the smallest children, and not on a larger scale before 2 years.
🤔 What is safe to use for eczema and dry skin on babies?
Again Calendula Balm and Chamomile Balm ! These have relieved and helped so many people over the last 20 years! There is lavender in the Calendula Balm, and these three herbs: Calendula , chamomile and lavender are completely safe for babies (but of course test on a small area first, because everyone can react to natural, mild and safe herbs too). Feel free to also use Baby Salve on dry skin, and Cold Cream in cold weather. These two also protect and care for very well, take care of the skin's natural moisture and protect against external influences.
🤔 Are Vossabia soaps safe for babies?
🙅♀️ I wouldn't use any soaps at all on babies. Our shampoo is mild with super herbs that are safe and good for babies and small children, but there's no point in using soap on such small children. I think Jonatan was at least 3 years old before he got to try his mom's good Shampoo with wild herbs. 👉 I'd rather add some jojoba oil or another good organic cold-pressed plant oil to the bathwater, and in any case I recommend not using baby products with paraffin and other petroleum-based ingredients! ❌ See blog post about this here .
🤔 Is it completely safe to use Vossabia products on the face and around the mouth of a baby before the age of 1 year in relation to beeswax and infant botulism?
Yes, it is completely safe 💚 The infant botulism bacteria can occur in soil and therefore honey should not be given to infants under 12 months (no danger after 1 year), and this is a precautionary rule in case a beekeeper has placed the honeycombs directly on the ground and come into contact with soil. However, 🐝 the beeswax we use, both home-produced and purchased, has been heated several times (beeswax can withstand a lot of heat and is not damaged by it), and therefore there is no danger. Many children get dry skin and eczema around the mouth due to a lot of drooling and drooling, and then Calendula Balm , Chamomile Balm and Baby Salve are great for relieving and removing the discomfort.
🤔 The skin can change during pregnancy, and acne and impure skin appear. Some people also get more eczema, itching and pigmentation. Does Vossabia have anything for this?
Yes, the super safe plants Calendula , chamomile, nettle and rose are nice to use during pregnancy AND they have a good effect on various skin problems mentioned. Calendula Balm and Sea Buckthorn and Nettle for acne and impurities, and Rose and Red Clover Scrub in addition a couple of times a week. Chamomile Balm for itching, and Eye Balm for pigmentation and tired tired eyes. And then dandelion, nettle and birch leaves are also a nice combination that strengthens and cleanses and is gentle on the liver, so when spring comes then go out and pick and make yourself herbal tea that can also be good for the skin ☕️
🤔 Many people lose some hair after giving birth. Does Vossabia have anything that is safe and effective for pregnant women and after giving birth?
Yes, both nettle and rosemary are plants that are known for their good properties related to hair growth and reducing hair loss, the same with horsetail and rosehip. Vossabia's shampoo and hair serum contain these super herbs, and they are also great for pregnant women and no problem for babies to come into contact with them 😉
👉 Massage for pregnant women with herbal ointment and essential oil blends:
Massage during pregnancy can be wonderful for relieving back pain , sleep problems and it is also a great way for the mother to connect with her own body and the baby in her womb 🤰 In many traditional cultures, a pregnant woman would receive massage as a central part of prenatal care, often performed by a midwife. But massage can also be done by a partner or friend, or a therapist, and then it is nice to use safe and good essential oils that are suitable for pregnant women 🌱💚
⚠️ What is important when massaging pregnant women is to avoid the abdomen and lower back in the first trimester and avoid strong stimulation of the heels, lower legs and trapezius muscle in the third trimester as it can trigger contractions.
(ref. Carole Guyett : The Herbalist's Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Beyond: Herbal Therapeutics for the Childbearing Year, 2022, Aeon Books.)
👉 Essential oils for massage for pregnant women:
Mix a maximum of 1% essential oil in a good base oil such as organic jojoba oil, feel free to mix more, but do not exceed 1%. Suggestions for safe oils: rose de mai, rose de otto, ylang ylang, chamomile, lavender, geranium and bergamot.
Body balm with wild herbs such as red clover and yarrow is also great to use for massage.
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Enjoy your time, and more herbal tips for well-being and health for pregnant women will be coming soon 💚
Renate, Queen Bee 🐝 in Vossabia