My sister is pregnant and I am wondering what herbs might be good for her and the baby. Do you have articles you can recommend or herbs themselves. Can she buy directly from you?
Pregnancy is not a good time to experiment with herbs. A good herbalist or naturopath should be consulted so that the mother's total health can be taken into consideration.
Rosemary Gladstar, in "Herbal Healing for Women" suggests that the following herbs may be used safely daily, like food, to build up the system in pregnancy. They are best taken as teas. Alfalfa, high in minerals; Nettle, high in iron and calcium to increase energy; Dandelion leaf and root for vitamins, minerals, a digestive aid and to eliminate excess water; Red Raspberry leaf, high in vitamins and minerals, and tones the uterus; oat straw for minerals and to tone the nervous system; Melissa (lemon balm) to calm the nerves and help digestion; and Chamomille (matricaria recutita), a relaxing, digestive. The dried herbs are available at Richters or at health food stores.
For more information, see Rosemary Gladstar's book above, Susun Weed's "The Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years" (Ash Tree Publishing) or Amanda McQuade Crawford's "Herbal Healing for Women" (Prima Publishing).