Postpartum Depression

[Megan SchultzStudent]

I have a friend that is 8 weeks postpartum, and the depression is starting to set in. Her doctor wants to get her on an anti-depressant, but she would much rather take something more natural. Would the Mellow Mommy Recipe be ok for a nursing mom? I worry about the lemon balm since it is part of the mint family. The other herbs in it are oat straw, alfalfa, burdock, alfalfa, licorice, raspberry leaf, red clover, skullcap, and yellow dock.

 

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Barbara Beaman, Julie Byers, AshleyAnne9324

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Those are the ladies I made it for. It’s often very helpful.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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Jessica Stubbs, Kelly Clemmer, Alissa Krajewski, AshleyAnne9324

[AshleyAnne9324Student]

I wish I knew of this recipe back when I had my first two. They are 11 months apart and depression set in bad. I blame the situation and circumstances more than it possibly being postpardum though :/

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

There are some major shifts in chemistry and in nutritional requirements (especially minerals) in moms transitioning from pregnancy to lactation. It’s a challenging time for the body and emotions.

I used to treat it with lots of calming nervine herbs. Now I use mostly deep-rooted micro mineral rich plants which really seems to make a difference.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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Rae Cousineau, Maggie, Shannon Pointer, Teresa Halldorson

[Laura Donahue OrtizStudent]

What about Moms who choose not to breast feed, are they also susceptible to PPD? It sounds like from the threads that the hormones etc. fluctuate more with breastfeeding?

[Barbara BeamanStudent]

Tough to say. Nursing releases oxytocin, so it should theoretically help ppd to nurse, as well as provide some benefits for healing. Postpartum is a challenging time because there are hormonal changes, nutritional demands and sleep disturbances, all contributing to challenges. It is hard to parse through all the issues contributing to it.

[Julie ByersStudent]

Thanks for the question. I will have to go to the store to get some just in case. Looks like the ingredients would work of all kinds of women’s depression not just postpartum. I have a tea similar to that but without the skullcap and yellow dock.

[Barbara BeamanStudent]

Thank you!! Thank you for this question and response!! I also wish I had this after my daughter was born (15 months apart from her older brother). She’s 2 years old, but I’ve also got a 5 month old now too. Luckily I don’t have the same depression issues as before, but having a 3 yo, 2yo, and 5 month old is high stress!

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Three little people is a party. It’s a fun chapter of life but it can certainly be exhausting.

I remember when we got our third thinking “Oh shoot, we’re outnumbered!” LOL

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Rose PistilliStudent]

Just to add to the party- I’ve struggled with PPD after four of my children so far. With two of them I used bioidentical progesterone which helped a lot but didn’t take it away entirely. I wasn’t able to get that medication when I moved to a different state and decided to try maca root. I was blown away because not only did I not feel depressed but the symptom that just wouldn’t go away even with progesterone (panic attacks every night at let down to nurse my baby to bed) vanished (my PPD seems to be linked to nursing/prolactin). I don’t remember how much I started with but it may have been 1/2 tsp. twice a day. I’m pretty newly postpartum again and I’m up to 1 tsp twice a day with red maca root and it is working so well. When I miss it, the symptoms come back.

I did NORA tea with this last pregnancy (nettles, oatstraw, raspberry leaf, alfalfa- sometimes with a little lemon balm or mint) and that made a huge difference with feeling normal during pregnancy.

[Kelly ClemmerStudent]

I had D-MER symptoms with my first–feelings of abject despair during letdown, but then it went away after a few minutes.  It was so strange but I was very glad to understand why it was happening.  I only had it mildly with my second and third.  I’ve had PPD with my first and third though.  I look forward to arming myself with herbs for PPD for future babies! It is so rough when there is seemingly no explanation for the awful depression/anxiety/panic!  A friend of mine takes maca also and says it helps!

[Megan BumpsStudent]

Regular chiropractic and acupuncture appointments to help regulate hormones might be beneficial as well.

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Angela Boggs

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