5 Herbs We Use in our Postpartum Recovery Products that’s Backed by Science

Having natural products doesn’t just “sound” nice - it’s our top priority. When you use harsh chemicals and compounds in products, they can cause more harm than good. What’s the point of using a nipple balm that is unsafe for your baby to get in their mouth and on their skin? What’s the point of using a lactation supplement that gives you terrible side effects? We know -- there IS no point.

That’s why we’ve committed to bringing you herbal remedies for all of your pregnancy and postpartum needs. But some may ask: do herbal remedies work? Of course they do! Society, driven by large corporations, has programmed us to think that nature doesn’t heal, that our bodies aren’t made for birth, etc. At CODDLE, we know that’s simply not true.

Mothers are made for birth. Women are strong. Together, we’re stronger. And plants? Plants heal. CODDLE products are formulated with organic herbs that are backed by tradition AND science, to help ease your pregnancy and postpartum experience. Faster healing, more time enjoying your new bundle of joy. How does that sound? Pretty good? Continue reading to learn about 5 of our herbal ingredients that are backed by science!

1. Chamomile

Chamomile is an herb that’s been used for YEARS to help ease anxiety, settle the stomach, and aid in sleep. We use it in our Postpartum Sitz Bath to help relax your mind, muscles, and sore perineal area during postpartum baths. 

A study done by the says: Here’s what  this study article done by the National Institute of Health says about chamomile:

“Traditionally, chamomile has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, mild astringent and healing medicine (28). As a traditional medicine, it is used to treat wounds, ulcers, eczema, gout, skin irritations, bruises, burns, canker sores, neuralgia, sciatica, rheumatic pain, hemorrhoids, mastitis and other ailments. Externally, chamomile has been used to treat diaper rash, cracked nipples, chicken pox, ear and eye infections, disorders of the eyes including blocked tear ducts, conjunctivitis, nasal inflammation and poison ivy. Chamomile is widely used to treat inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, and for various bacterial infections of the skin, oral cavity and gums, and respiratory tract. Chamomile in the form of an aqueous extract has been frequently used as a mild sedative to calm nerves and reduce anxiety, to treat hysteria, nightmares, insomnia and other sleep problems. Chamomile has been valued as a digestive relaxant and has been used to treat various gastrointestinal disturbances including flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, anorexia, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting. Chamomile has also been used to treat colic, croup, and fevers in children. It has been used as an emmenagogue and a uterine tonic in women. It is also effective in arthritis, back pain, bedsores and stomach cramps.”

It’s obvious that chamomile is a POWERFUL herb that can heal skin, prevent infection, and calm nerve pain. . . and so much more. This makes it a key ingredient in our sitz bath, and a must-have for postpartum healing!

2.Lavender

Lavender is a beautiful flowering herb that smells amazing and has tons of medicinal, healing properties. We love this herb so much that we use it in TWO of our products!

According to this study from the National Institute of health:

“Lavender is reported to be useful in the treatment of acute as well as chronic or intractable pain [82]. It has been shown that foot massage using lavender essential oil in 100 ICU patients of whom 50% were receiving artificial ventilation was effective in lowering blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, wakefulness, and pain. Aromatic oil massage with essential oils blended with lavender, clary sage, and marjoram in a 2 : 1 : 1 ratio in forty-eight outpatients with primary dysmenorrhea alleviated the pain and reduced the duration of dysmenorrhea. Aromatherapy by using lavender essence was also reported as a successful and safe complementary therapy in reduction of pain after the cesarean section in 200 term pregnant women and after episiotomy in 60 primiparous women as well as in perineal discomfort following normal childbirth in 635 women.

LAVENDER, am I right? We love this herb so much that we use it in several of our products! Grab our Postpartum Soreness Kit for the biggest lavender healing haul ever! 

3.Shepherd’s Purse

Shepherd’s purse is a flowering plant in the mustard family. It’s been used traditionally and even in contemporary medicine for wound healing, blood disorders, menstrual disorders, and to improve circulation and heart health.  Since blood and circulation are a huge part of healing, specifically during the postpartum period, shepherd’s purse is a great asset to CODDLE’s herbal remedy line! 

Here’s an excerpt from this study on shepherd’s purse:

“Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris [L.] Medik.) is one of the most abundant flowering plants worldwide]. Shepherd's purse has been used as a food and folk medicine for centuries in Asian and European countries. Moreover, this plant has traditionally been used as a diuretic and for the treatment of dysentery, furuncle, gonorrhea, menstrual disorders, and fever. Furthermore, shepherd's purse contains vitamin A, ascorbic acid, linoleic acid, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for human health.”

Shepherd’s purse: an amazing herb that will definitely help your postpartum healing journey! We include this amazing plant in our Sitz Bath -- grab a jar ASAP!

4.Peppermint

We’ve all heard of peppermint! We love it in our chocolate, and our holiday-flavored goodies. But peppermint is SO much more than that! This awesome, dark green leafy herb has tons of medicinal properties. Mentha, or menthol, is a compound derived from the peppermint plant. The cooling properties of peppermint help ease pain and discomfort - especially on wounds like C-section scars or a sore perineum! 

Here’s what this article says about peppermint oil and cooling pain relief benefits:

“The Greek scholar Hippocrates treated sprains, joint pains and inflammation by cooling the skin, and traditional Chinese remedies used mint oil to the same end. Now scientists have discovered that cooling chemicals which have the same properties as mint oil have a dramatic pain-killing effect when applied in small doses to the skin. Unlike conventional pain killers, these compounds are likely to have minimal toxic side-effects, especially because they are applied externally to the skin. This should mean they are ideal for chronic pain patients for whom conventional pain killers often do not work. . .

. . . Professor Susan Fleetwood-Walker, who jointly led the study with Dr Rory Mitchell, says:

"This discovery of the pain-relieving properties of mint oil and related compounds has great potential for alleviating the suffering of millions of chronic pain patients, including those with arthritis or those who have had nerve damage or spinal injury following major accidents. Conventional painkillers such as morphine are often ineffective in cases of chronic pain, and simply lowering the temperature of the skin is too inexact."

 If peppermint oil can help chronic pain patients and sufferers of arthritis, it can help your postpartum aches and pains, as well. Vaginal birth, as well as C-Sections, both involve nerve damage to some extent. The cooling relief of peppermint used in our Perineal Balm and Massage Oil can help alleviate those pains!

5.Yarrow

Yarrow, commonly known as achillea, is a flowering herb that has been traditionally used for many ailments. Many of these have been tested in modern studies, and have been proven and backed by science to be effective. Some of these ailments include inflammation, wound healing when used topically, digestive disorders, and anxiety. Is it just me, or do a lot of those sound like things women experience postpartum?! Yarrow for the win! We include yarrow in our Sitz Bath, so it specifically helps with wound healing and inflammation, though the absorption of the herb through your skin can also help with anxiety. 

Here’s what this study has to say about yarrow:

“Since Achillea genus is widespread all over the world, its species have been used by local people as folk or traditional herbal medicines. Bumadaran is a popular name for several species of Achillea in Persian language. They are reported as tonic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic and emmenagogic agents and have been used for treatment of hemorrhage, pneumonia, rheumatic pain and wounds healing in Persian traditional literature.

In Spanish-speaking New Mexico and southern Colorado its called plumajillo, or “little feather”, because of the shape of the leaves. Native Americans and early settlers used yarrow for its astringent qualities that made it effective in wound healing and anti-bleeding.

“Achillea species are the most important indigenous economic plants of Anatolia. Herbal teas prepared from some Achillea species are traditionally used for abdominal pain and flatulence in Turkey.

 We love using yarrow in our Sitz bath for wound healing - and you’ll love our Sitz bath!

Can’t get enough herbs! Look for our Plant Mama Giveaway on Instagram running from July 1st-3rd. We will be giving away a Postpartum Recovery Kit, as well as teaming up with several other brands for natural, herbal products and services! Don’t miss it!