The Best Herbal Postpartum Anxiety and Sleep Support
Pregnancy and postpartum can require a lot of your body, mama! First you do the very hard work of growing a new life inside you and then you are responsible for nourishing and caring for that new life after birth. All of this can be very taxing on your nervous system, which undergoes significant adaptations that can affect your physical and mental wellbeing.
So many pregnant and nursing mamas struggle with chronic stress, anxiety and insomnia (I was one of them) and it can be a challenge to find remedies that are effective and safe to take during those times.
That’s why we are so very excited to announce our newest product — Calm Nerves Tincture!
Another labor of love, this product features a gentle yet effective blend of hand-selected organic herbs like lemon balm, passionflower, chamomile, catnip and Chinese skullcap that work harmoniously to support the nervous system, promote relaxation and improve sleep.
This blend has been specifically formulated with the highest quality organic herbs to be safe during the 2nd and 3rd trimester in pregnancy, and postpartum. If you are in your 1st trimester we do not recommend this blend without the approval of your practitioner, as a few of the herbs should be approached cautiously in early pregnancy. Try our NOA pregnancy tea for a great blend of herbs to support your body and mind in the 1st trimester.
Our Calm Nerves Tincture is also a great option kids and for those who are sensitive to most medications and supplements. We use an organic glycerin base that’s soy and palm free, non-GMO and cruelty free.
Read on to learn more about why we created this specific blend and how each of these herbs can support sleep and reduce anxiety for pregnant and postpartum women!
Why use our Calm Nerves Tincture for Pregnancy and Postpartum?
The physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and postpartum, including hormonal fluctuations and changes to the immune and physical systems, can alter the way your nervous system processes information and can make you feel more easily overwhelmed and experience difficulty regulating your emotions. It can also impact sleep.
About 1 in 5 women (some studies report even higher at 20-25 percent) suffer from postpartum anxiety. And about 71 percent of women struggle with poor sleep within the first month of postpartum.
I can tell you I didn’t need a statistic to tell me those truths! We recognized the need for nervous system support in postpartum through my own experience. After giving birth to Hannah, as someone who already struggled with anxiety and sleep prior to pregnancy, postpartum was incredibly challenging.
My nervous system went completely haywire and it was very hard to feel calm and relaxed most days. I remember being up most of the night or waking anxiously every hour or so to check on my newborn to make sure she was safe and alive (first time mom here).
There’s something to be said about the instinctual nature of a mama to protect her child at all costs, but the crippling fear and anxiety some women experience can be really hard to navigate on their own.
Wanting to find a natural solution that was postpartum and nursing-friendly, Michael put in the time to research what herbs would be safe and effective. I took each of these herbs individually for months (now I take our tincture!), and can honestly say they really did help me to feel more emotionally balanced.
When we started Fruit of the Womb Herbals, we knew at some point we would be releasing a blend of these herbs to help provide emotional and sleep support for postpartum women. With how well they worked for me, how could we not? The benefit is that these herbs are also incredibly helpful for pregnant women who also struggle with anxiety and insomnia. We even give a little bit to Hannah when she is struggling with sleep. It’s a product that is safe for the whole family!
While we know we can’t completely help mamas get more sleep, (nursing your baby on demand and feeding around the clock is just part of the postpartum period), we want to help them fall asleep more easily and get deeper and more restful sleep.
It’s also true that anxiety and stress as well as chronic sleep deprivation can really take a toll on your body, mind, and ability to care for yourself and your baby.
That’s why we created this beautiful blend of herbs to help support a mother’s mind and body during this time.
Herbs in our Calm Nerve Tincture
We highlighted each herb in our Calm Nerves Tincture below so you can understand the benefits of each and learn why we hand-selected these to support you in your pregnancy and postpartum journey.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm acts as a gentle nervine (nerve-calming herb) that soothes the nervous system. Most studies show that lemon balm is great for reducing anxiety, promoting relaxation, boosting memory and improving sleep quality. It can also support digestion, which can indirectly help with nighttime discomfort and restlessness during pregnancy and postpartum.
This was one of my favorite calming herbs I took during my postpartum period and felt like it truly helped me to feel more settled and relaxed when my nervous system was on edge.
It’s generally considered safe in moderate amounts during pregnancy and postpartum.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Passionflower is known for its sedative properties. We chose this herb for its ability to help quiet racing thoughts and promote deeper sleep.
It has traditionally been used for mild anxiety, irritability, and insomnia, especially when tied to hormonal changes. Could God have created a more perfect herb for the postpartum adjustment period?
It’s recommended to avoid it in the first trimester unless under supervision of your health provider, as strong sedative herbs are generally approached cautiously early in pregnancy.
That said, most herbalists and practitioners approve low to moderate use of passionflower in the second and third trimesters and postpartum.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile is one of the most traditionally used (and studied) herbs for calming nerves, reducing mild anxiety, and improving sleep.
As an added bonus, it also supports digestion and reduces tension headaches, both of which can impact sleep quality. Chamomile is also a great option for naturally managing pregnancy nausea and morning sickness.
This herb is considered safe in pregnancy in moderate amounts (such as 1–2 cups of tea daily or low dose tinctures like ours!) and incredibly safe for postpartum.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip isn’t just for your feline friend! This herb is popular for its mild sedative effects that are especially helpful for tension, irritability and restlessness. What postpartum mama doesn’t experience those at some point?! I love catnip for postpartum!
Research shows it also supports the digestive system and can ease mild cramping and gas, which sometimes interfere with sleep.
Catnip is generally considered safe in small, food-like amounts in pregnancy. Some ancient herbal texts show catnip stimulating uterine tone, so it's typically used cautiously in moderation, especially early in pregnancy. In postpartum use, it's widely considered safe.
Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)
Chinese skullcap acts as a powerful anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing herb) and mild sedative.
It also provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support, which can help mothers in their postpartum recovery when inflammation levels may still be elevated.
Chinese skullcap is less studied specifically for pregnancy, and is generally considered safer postpartum.
That said, this herb has been used for thousands of years in ancient China to protect the fetus, clear heat and prevent miscarriage in pregnancy. One study found that the flavonoids in Chinese skullcap were associated with improved outcomes in pregnancy-related diseases, and should be considered as a source for therapeutic compounds.
Conclusion
We are so excited to be releasing this blend, and truly hope it will help pregnant and postpartum women sleep better and feel more relaxed.
Our Calm Nerves Tincture is available in 2oz and 4oz bottles. If you’re struggling with digestive issues, especially pregnancy nausea, morning sickness or indigestion, try pairing this blend with our alcohol free Prenatal Digestive Bitters for holistic support.
If you have questions about our products, you can check out our FAQ page or send us an email at info@fruitofthewombherbals.com.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
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Manconi M, van der Gaag LC, Mangili F, et al. Sleep and sleep disorders during pregnancy and postpartum: The Life-ON study. Sleep Medicine. 2023;113:41-48. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2023.10.021
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Singh S, Rawat PS. Catnip a Magical Herb: An Approach towards the Prevention of Several Diseases. Research Gate. Published December 11, 2019. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370659744_Catnip_a_Magical_Herb_An_Approach_towards_the_Prevention_of_Several_Diseases
Fang D, Zheng C, Ma Y. Effectiveness of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi root in pregnancy-related diseases: A review. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2022;21(1):17-25. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2022.09.005
