Herbals during pregnancy???

[Boysenberry]

Rowan,

In that article you referred me to, it said that pregnant women should avoid flaxseed and agave. (To avoid contraction stimulation, week 38... I will know what to do ... hee hee) Have you ever heard of that? Also spinach because it slows the absorbtion of calcium. Funny because I haven't been craving spinach anymore...

It said to cook my collards, kale, and other greens.... :eek: I am trying to avoid cooked foods like the plague. Should I just ignore it and eat more greens anyway? (Okay, I have a regular MD OB/GYN, but she doesn't understand the "raw thing". That is why I am asking so many questions. You seem to have a vast knowledge of these things... I have read many many of your posts. ;) )

Okay, and one more thing... red raspberry leaves. She said to boil water and make a tincture for at least four hours to get the most minerals from it. What do you think? Do I HAVE to boil the water? I make tea for myself with cooler water or sun tea pretty regularly, but I can always stick my finger comfortably in it.

Thanks so much. Sami

[firefaery]

You aren't making a tincture, you're making an infusion. You don't have to boil the water, but you should heat it pretty well. If you have good sun exposure you can leace it outside, but then you shoul dlet it sit for a solid 8-12 hours.

Spinach does have oxalic acid which inhibits iron and calcium absorption.

[firefaery]

Sorry, hit the button too soon. THere are different views on the greens thing. I honestly believe that there are probably some nutrients that are more available in cooked food than in raw-but across the board raw is definitely better! So eat it raw (except for the spinach IMO) and if you choose to-eat some cooked, but get the majority of you nutrients from whole live food!

[Boysenberry]

Okay, back to green smoothies for me! Lots of kale and collard rolls! yum!

I will do the red raspberry tea, I like it anyway. What about the flax seeds?

[RowanC]

I agree with everything the previous post said. I think raw is better overall. And a tincture is not made by boiling water - are you sure you read it correctly? Susunn Weed is not a raw foodist, which would explain her comments on cooking... she's an herbalist.

I'm not sure about flax.. I'd do some research.

I'm not a professional herbalist, but I've used herbs most of my life and have a good library I refer to. I also prefer herbs to chemical medications and will take them every time instead of chemicals.

[Boysenberry]

I would certainly love to learn more, can you direct me to a couple of very good, and reliable in your experience, books? Reference guides?

[cpinokc]

My midwife I had last time told me to squeeze a lemon over raw spinach or eat it with tomatoes.....something that is acidic so that the calcium could be absorbed.

Have you joined the RawPregnancy group on Yahoo yet??? There are several ladies who could help you find the answers you are looking for. One of the members is even a raw midwife, Dixie Story! :D

[cpinokc]

Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawPregnancy/

[firefaery]

Lemon juice will not neutralize oxalic acid...it would help in the absorption of minerals in most cases though.