![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The use of lavender cream (with or without the footbath) was found to improve sleep quality (Effati-Daryani et al., 2018).įor clients that are experiencing trouble with sleep during pregnancy, lavender is a great choice, as it seems to have the broadest applicability. One third of the participants in the study applied a placebo cream, one third applied the lavender cream only, and one third applied the lavender cream and then did a 10-20 minute footbath 30 minutes after applying the cream. The lavender cream was made with a 1.25% dilution of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil and was applied to the legs an hour and a half before bed every evening for 8 weeks. (2018) on the use of lavender during pregnancy tested the effect of a lavender-based cream applied at 25-28 weeks gestation on sleep quality. There has even been research on the use of lavender aromatherapy to reduce anxiety and pain during labor with positive effect ( Tabatabaeichehr & Mortazavi, 2020). Lavender essential oil diffused into a room or incorporated into topical products at proper dilution is also an option.Īromatherapy with lavender essential oil has been demonstrated to improve anxiety and quality of sleep in non-pregnant populations (Cheng et al., 2022 Karadag et al., 2015 Kim et al., 2021 Seiiedi-Biarag & Mirghafourvand, 2022 ). Lavender flower buds can be incorporated into tea-just take care not to steep too long to avoid a bitter taste!-and can also be made into a tincture or glycerite. Lavender is a calming, sedative nervine that can be incorporated in multiple forms to improve sleep and ease anxiety during pregnancy. Some practitioners and pregnant people opt to wait until the second trimester to use any herbs, even those considered safe in pregnancy. Note: These herbs are considered safe in pregnancy however, it’s always important to check in with your health care provider before taking herbs in pregnancy. Consider using tinctures, glycerites, oxymels, syrups, powders, electuaries, and other herbal products with no to low water content that are right for you. It can be helpful to use forms other than infusions and decoctions, as high water content can lead to more frequent urination, which is a concern that is already present in pregnancy, so there is no need to contribute further to it. ![]() When working with herbs for sleep, one thing to consider beyond the particular herb(s) to use is the delivery method. But other times, the use of sedative and nervine herbs is extremely helpful for promoting a restful night’s sleep, especially when used in addition to easing daytime stress. Sometimes by minimizing daytime stress, sleep comes easier and sedatives are not needed. If you choose to use any herb or protocol discussed here, it should always be under the supervision of an experienced midwife, obstetrician (OB), or your medical provider. This excerpt on herbal support for insomnia comes from Session 1 of the intensive, in which clinical herbalists Lisa Olson and Shona Richter MacDougall also walk you through the use of some nutritive and tonic herbs that can be incorporated into daily life during pregnancy, herbs for easing stress and anxiety, and topical support for stretch marks, itchy skin, and general discomfort.Īs you can imagine, we need to be especially careful when using herbs during pregnancy, as it’s a time when we need to be concerned about the safety of the growing fetus, the health of the pregnant person, and maintaining the pregnancy. In our new Herbal Support for Pregnancy Intensive available in The Herbarium, you’ll learn how to use herbs in a safe, effective way to ease insomnia and other common complaints during pregnancy, as well as how to prepare for birth physically and emotionally. In a 2007 National Sleep Foundation survey, 84% of pregnant Americans experienced sleep issues at least three nights/week (National Sleep Foundation, 2007). Insomnia during pregnancy is common, and can be caused by a variety of factors-hormonal changes, nausea and vomiting, an increased need to urinate, pregnancy-related aches and pains, having to sleep in a position that one isn’t accustomed to, and worries about the pregnancy, the birth, and life with a new baby can all keep someone up at night or make it difficult to sleep through the night. ![]()
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