Herbs for Postpartum Recovery: A First 40 Days & Beyond Guide
Note from Hanna: I write as a mother of two back to back babies, a postpartum doula, and a mother-first community herbalist. I share practical, real, lived human guidance rooted in experience and study, not medical advice.
Postpartum recovery is the physical, hormonal, emotional, and nervous system healing that happens after pregnancy and birth. You could argue that these are the single most important days, weeks, and months in a new mothers life.
Herbs for postpartum recovery focus on nourishing the body, replacing minerals lost through blood, and calming the nervous system. Key herbs include nettle for mineral replenishment, oatstraw for nervous system support, red raspberry leaf used traditionally for uterine tone, and chamomile or lemon balm for calming. These herbs can be used as infusions or teas, and they gently support fourth trimester recovery in the first 40 days and beyond.
Postpartum recovery, a mother first approach
Postpartum recovery surprised me.
I thought birth was the finish line for me, and the beginning for the baby.
I mean it’s simple right? We grow the baby, we deliver the baby, and then we take care of the baby… but what about us?
I know from firsthand experience how badly we, as mothers, want to do pregnancy and motherhood “right”, and how overwhelming that in itself can feel.
I believe that modern society inflates these worries, and oftentimes by the time the baby has arrived earth-side, us mothers are seemingly forgotten. I write in hopes to reach mothers before they feel forgotten.
I have experienced the exhaustion, the emotional waves, and the quiet identity shifts that come after birth and in the years beyond birth.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most supportive mother-first herbs for postpartum recovery, what they do, when they’re most helpful, and how to use them safely in the first 40 days and beyond.
What is Postpartum Recovery (really)?
Much of modern day postpartum recovery seems to stop abruptly at the directly impacted places on a woman’s body after birth, these places depend on if she had a vaginal or cesarean birth.
And in many cases, postpartum recovery isn’t spoken of at all.
As Dr. Oscar Serrallach states in his book The Postnatal Depletion Cure, the last time anyone speaks of “how mom feels” is the announcement post on social media stating that “mom and baby are both recovering well”. Beyond that it’s a myriad of “how is the baby…..” questions and how the mother is recovering and coping falls to the wayside.
But, postpartum recovery is so much more than that.
Postpartum recovery is of course the physical recovery (uterus, bleeding, tissue recovery, perhaps stitches), but it’s also nervous system depletion, hormonal shifts that can’t been seen by the naked eye, sleep deprivation, mineral loss, blood loss, emotional confusion, weakness, soreness, and for some utter shock.
Postpartum recovery is so deep, it’s so layered, yet in today’s world the focus seems to be only on surface level wounds if anything at all.
Postpartum recovery is the process of rebuilding after birth.
It involves the body, the nervous system, and emotional adjustment.
Without care for the mother, depletion can grow.
Quick Guide: How Herbs Support Postpartum Recovery
Postpartum recovery isn’t just what we see and feel physically. After birth, as mothers, we are rebuilding our bodies from root to crown.
This includes things that aren’t seen like: calming an overwhelmed nervous system, and navigating profound emotional and identity shifts.
Herbs can support each of these healing layers.
| Area of Recovery | What Mothers Often Experience | How Herbs Can Help | Example Herbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Recovery After Birth | Blood loss, fatigue, uterine healing, mineral depletion, breastfeeding demands | Mineral-rich and tonifying herbs help rebuild nutrient stores, support uterine tone, and gently nourish the body after pregnancy and birth | Nettle (Urtica dioica), Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) |
| Nervous System Recovery | Overstimulation, sleep deprivation, postpartum anxiety, sensory overwhelm | Gentle nervines help calm the nervous system, support deeper rest, and restore resilience during the early months of motherhood | Oatstraw (Avena sativa), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Milky Oat Tops |
| Emotional & Identity Shifts | Feeling overwhelmed, emotional waves, identity changes after becoming a mother | Heart-supportive and grounding herbs can help mothers feel steadier emotionally while navigating the profound transition into motherhood | Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Rose (Rosa spp.), Lemon Balm |
Postpartum Physical Recovery
Pregnancy and birth change the body in many ways:
• the uterus grows, then slowly contracts and heals
• tissue repair happens continuously
• blood loss requires mineral rebuilding
• hormones shift dramatically through the whole process
These changes are normal, and they happen to all of us during and after growing a human and bringing him earth-side.
But normal does not mean easy.
Postpartum physical recovery can include:
- uterine healing
- tissue repair
- mineral replenishment
- sleep disruption
- energy fluctuations
Herbs that support mineral nourishment, healing, and gentle recovery can help the body rebuild.
Of course herbs do not replace medical care or proper nutrition, but they truly do complement a tiered holistic approach, and any mother can benefit from a warm, nourishing cup of tea.
Postpartum Nervous System Recovery
The nervous system experiences natural stress during pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood.
Sleep deprivation. Sensory overload. Constant caregiving. Not feeling how you thought you would. Mineral and vitamin stores are depleted.
Many mothers feel a whole wave of extreme emotional fatigue on top of all the physical changes.
Many mothers feel overstimulated or sensory sensitive.
Mom rage, anxiety, and overwhelm are often signs of nervous system stress, not maternal failure even if we internalize it that way.
Herbal nervines can support a new (or not so new) mother’s nervous system greatly.
Emotional and Identity Shifts
Motherhood changes identity, and because we can’t see an identity change with the naked eye, it’s not talked about enough in the motherhood space.
The woman you were before children is still you, but you are also becoming someone new.
And not only in the ways you’re thinking, but our brains actually undergo structural changes that help us learn and identify our babies cues, strengthen the bond with our baby, and also cause that “mom brain” forgetful/brain fog feeling and the well known “baby blues”.
This can bring grief, confusion, and also growth.
Some days feel expansive, and dreamy.
Some days feel heavy, mentally and taxing.
Both are valid.
Postpartum recovery needs to include emotional integration.
Learning to inhabit motherhood without losing yourself is a lifelong process, not a six-week or ‘40 day” checklist.
How cultures outside the US treat the fourth trimester
In many cultures, the first 40 days after birth (or the 4th trimester) are treated as a sacred recovery, and deep healing period for both baby and mother.
The idea is simple:
Rest.
Nourish.
Limit external demands.
Allow healing and bonding.
Some traditions even require the mother to stay home and have zero obligations.
For example, in Islamic postpartum practices, mothers undergo a 40 day period of rest and limited responsibilities so the body can heal and the mother can form a deep bond with her new baby.
She is even excused from prayer and fasting practices which are a cornerstone of the Islamic daily routine.
This reflects a universal understanding, and something that I emphasise to my postpartum clients: birth requires deep recovery.
And believe me, as a mother of two back to back babies I know that modern life, for most of us, does not allow full “retreat”.
Most mothers return to caregiving and daily responsibilities quickly, if not the same day they return home from the hospital or birthing center.
This doesn’t mean deep recovery is impossible, It means we must approach healing realistically, in a way that integrates with our personal dynamic.
Small practices matter:
- simple nourishing foods
- warm, nutrient dense drinks (warm drinks promote oxytocin production)
- rest whenever possible
- emotional support
- nervous system care (even in the smallest ways)
- sunshine (even just 15 minutes a day, bare belly or thighs)
The first 40 days are not a strict rule of what to do, but they should serve as a reminder to slow down and that recovery deserves, or even requires our attention if we want to remain the calm, present, and nourished mothers we dream of being.
sunshine hack if you have children: I taught my kids early how important sunshine is for our bodies, in return this created kids that enjoy being outside for so many reasons. When I am feeling down, lazy, or like not going outside my kids will remind me of the suns importance—then I find myself taking them out to chase the sunshine for their health, ultimately helping my own too.
How Long Postpartum Recovery Really Takes
For many women, postpartum recovery takes several months to even two years as the body rebuilds nutrients, hormones stabilize, and the nervous system recovers.
This is one of the most important truths about motherhood: Postpartum recovery is not linear.
It does not end in six weeks.
Many experts note that physical recovery can take months.
Hormonal, nutrient replenishment, and nervous system adjustments often take much longer, and are ever changing.
Some mothers feel more like themselves within a year (we all know one of these mamas), others still notice changes for two years or beyond.
If you are a mother months past birth, or even years and you still find yourself struggling, I want you to know that this is normal (even though it sucks).
Here is an example:
I had my children 13.5 months apart, I wasn’t aware back then how taxing this would be on my body and on my nervous system. We wanted our babies close together and no one was going to stop us.
I didn’t know that nutrient stores were like a bank account, and I kept spending unknowingly through both pregnancies, both births, and both “recovery periods”.
It wasn’t until I was over 3 years postpartum when I realized I was suffering from postnatal depletion, and that in order to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally I would have to treat my body as if I was newly postpartum.
Let’s just say, I am now over 5 years postpartum, and I am so grateful I went “back in time” to deeply recover, and intentionally heal my body.
Even though it’s often shrugged off as “everyone struggles”, pregnancy and birth are major physiological events.
Healing deserves patience. It requires it.
If you are six months, two years, or even 6 years postpartum and still exhausted to the point of tears, you are not failing.
You are human, you are a mother rebuilding even though no one told you how to do it.
Herbal support, nutrition, and nervous system care can help.
Taking a few minutes a day during or before pregnancy to learn how to care deeply for yourself will prove to be very valuable postpartum.
Tip: If you already have children, I recommend getting loop sensory earplugs, drinking a calming tea, and using physical copies of books to read from.
Now that we’ve talked about how postpartum recovery actually works, let’s look at the herbs that can support this rebuilding process.
Key Herbs for Postpartum Recovery
When mothers ask me about herbs for postpartum recovery, milk supply, or energy they’re usually hoping for a short list of plants that can help them feel more like themselves again.
The truth is that postpartum recovery isn’t about one or two miracle herbs.
It’s about deep nourishment, gentle nervous system support, and layered rebuilding.
The herbs below are some of the ones I recommended to mothers, and that I personally come back to again and again when thinking about mother-first herbalism.
These are plants that support the mother’s body and mind while she’s giving everything to her baby.
Many of them work beautifully as herbal sitz baths, daily teas, or nourishing infusions, which makes them especially practical for busy or new mothers.
Note: Start small, if you’re feeling overwhelmed start with just one herb. I say this because a small apothecary is much easier to maintain, and we are much more likely to use it if it’s underwhelming and well maintained.
When I first started using herbs to target postnatal depletion and healing, I started with lemon balm, lemon balm led me to nettle, and nettle is my favorite herbal ally.
I like to say that lemon balm saved me, and nettle healed me.
Deeply Nourishing Herbs for Postpartum Recovery
These herbs are the nutrient builders.
Pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding can draw heavily on a mother’s vitamin and mineral reserves (remember the bank account analogy I used above), and rebuilding those reserves is one of the most overlooked parts of postpartum recovery in modern day motherhood spaces.
Herbs like nettle, oatstraw, and alfalfa help replenish the body deeply, slowly, and gently.
Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Nettle is my absolute favorite herb, especially for mothers at any stage of motherhood.
If I had to choose just one plant for rebuilding after birth, nettle would be at the top of my list.
Nettle is a deeply nourishing, nutritive, mineral herb, rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals that support recovery after pregnancy, especially when blood loss is factored in.
Additionally it’s also loaded with vitamins A, C, K.
Energetically, nettle is often described as cooling, slightly drying, strengthening, and restorative.
Why Nettle Is Helpful After Birth
After pregnancy, many mothers experience:
• fatigue and or brain fog (mom brain)
• low iron levels
• hair loss
• general depletion
Nettle gently supports the body by replenishing minerals rather than stimulating the system.
Many mothers say nettle tea helps with:
• rebuilding energy slowly
• supporting healthy iron levels
• strengthening hair and nails
• supporting breastmilk production
Note: Nettle is often the first herb I add to a tea or herbal infusion, it’s a foundational herb in my own and in the majority of my postpartum clients herbal routines.
When mothers are struggling to eat well or eat enough, nettle can come to the rescue by being such a nutritive herb that’s quick to work with.
How Mothers Use Nettle
Most herbalists, myself included, recommend nettle as a long infusion, which allows more minerals to be extracted.
My favorite herbs to pair with nettle are oatstraw and lemon balm (you will learn more about these two herbs below)
In fact, most evenings I prep a light infusion for the next day:
I grab a quart jar from the cupboard, add in 1 tablespoon of nettle, 1 tablespoon of oatstraw, and depending on how much of an overstimulated mom I feel like in that moment I’ll add ½–1 tablespoon of lemon balm, then I fill the jar with cool water and allow it to steep overnight in the fridge. In the morning I simply strain and drink before coffee or matcha.
Pro tip: use a french press. Making herbal tea infusions in a french press is so much cleaner and simpler come morning. Simply press it down to separate and squeeze out the herbs.
You can also find nettle in most of my postpartum/motherhood nourishing postpartum tea blends:
Oatstraw (Avena sativa)
Oatstraw is one of my favorite herbs for tired, overwhelmed mothers or women who are TTC that understand that they may struggle with the demands of motherhood.
While nettle nourishes the body, oatstraw has a special relationship with the nervous system.
Note: one of my favorite reasons for combining nettle and oatstraw is that oatstraw works with the nervous system AND combats nettles’ slightly drying properties.
It is considered a trophorestorative herb, meaning it actually helps restore and rebuild nervous system function over time, instead of simply helping symptoms in the moment (there are herbs for that too, and I know how helpful they are).
Energetically, oatstraw is:
• moistening (pairs well with drying herbs like nettles)
• neutral to slightly cooling
• gently grounding/calming
Why Oatstraw Matters in Postpartum
Many mothers don’t realize, or simply aren’t taught just how much pregnancy and birth affect the nervous system.
Sleep deprivation, hormone shifts, and the constant demands of caring for a baby can leave the nervous system feeling raw and overstimulated (lets NOT be joining the “overstimulated moms club”)
Oatstraw supports:
• deep, long term nervous system recovery
• buildable emotional steadiness
• long term resilience to stressors
I often recommend oatstraw for my postpartum clients who feel:
• depleted
• emotionally fragile
• easily overwhelmed or overstimulated
Note: some women know that they have a shorter bandwidth for stress before having kids, oatstraw is a great foundational herb for these women.
It’s a quiet herb, it’s not dramatic and probably won’t go viral for any reason, but it is deeply supportive over time.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Alfalfa is another very nutrient dense herb often used in postpartum recovery, or for maternal depletion.
In fact, it’s one of the herbs in a traditional NORA (nettle, oatstraw, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa) tea blend for pregnant mothers in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters, and is especially beneficial in the fourth trimester.
Historically it has been used as a tonic herb, meaning it’s another one of those plants that strengthen and nourish the body over time.
Alfalfa is a multifaceted herb, this makes it one of my absolute favorite herbs.
Alfalfa contains:
• Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, biotin, and folate (talk about packing an herbal punch)
• calcium
• magnesium
• chlorophyll
Energetically, alfalfa is considered warming and strengthening.
Postpartum Benefits
Alfalfa is often used for malnutrition. It’s especially helpful for thin, weak, exhausted women who have had blood loss from birth or heavy menstrual bleeding.
While “malnutrition” isn’t a word we often use when discussing pregnant and postpartum mothers, it’s clear that alfalfa is a very nutrient dense and fitting herb for mothers.
I include alfalfa in postpartum herbal formulas to support:
• general recovery and vitality
• mineral & vitamin replenishment (blood rebuilding)
• breastmilk nourishment
It’s a perfect herb for mothers recovering from long pregnancies or multiple pregnancies close together, where the body is particularly depleted.
Note: As I said before, alfalfa is a multifaceted herb with many incredible benefits. I began using it after the realization that I had been suffering from postnatal depletion for years.
It’s also worth noting my experience using alfalfa for its bone, joint, and injury benefits. It’s known to address constitutional weaknesses and has traditionally been used for people with weak bones, breaks, or other musculoskeletal injuries.
I experienced an upper thoracic spine/rib injury during yoga early postpartum. I struggled with pain and re-injury for years until adding alfalfa into my daily herbal regime.
Call it coincidence, or call it traditional use proving itself.
Herbs That Support the Postpartum Nervous System
If you’ve made it this far, I’m sure you understand that motherhood places enormous demands on the nervous system.
Between interrupted sleep, identity adjusting, hormone shifts, vitamin and mineral depletion, and the emotional weight of caring for a new baby, it’s very common for mothers to experience:
• anxiety
• irritability
• overstimulation
• mood swings
The herbs below have traditionally been used to calm, stabilize, and deeply nourish the nervous system of mothers in any stage of motherhood.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm is one of the most joyful, bright herbs in the garden (and it’s the first herb I ever used to address my personal mental health).
Remember above when we were talking about oatsraw, and I told you I would be covering an herb that helps in the moment of stress not just for long term resilience?
Well, meet lemon balm, my second favorite herb!
It has a gentle citrus scent and a calming nature, it’s often used for lifting the mood while also calming the nervous system.
Energetically, lemon balm is:
• slightly cooling
• uplifting
• relaxing
Why Mothers Love Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is often recommended for:
• postpartum anxiety
• tension, irritability, overstimulation
• digestive upset linked to stress
It’s important to state that lemon balm is in the mint family, this can cause it to lower milk supply in some women (though some have reported that it actually increased milk supply).
Be sure to start low and slow if you feel that it’s the herb for you, and to discontinue use if you find that your supply is negatively affected.
If you are too worried to give it a go, don’t worry because there are other herbs that have similar mood boosting benefits that aren’t known for the possible supply issue.
Lemon balm can be found in both of my mood related herbal tea blends:
- Whole Mother: A traditional, nourishing NORA blend with additional mood support from both lemon balm and motherwort (you’ll learn about her below).
- Mom Rage: A blend created for mothers on the brink of emotional explosion.
While both of these blends are not always great for breast feeding mothers, I do have a breast milk friendly version without lemon balm called Sensory Serenity.
Note: The first time I tried lemon balm, I ate it fresh from the garden before getting a blood draw. Getting my blood drawn has caused me to pass out every. single. time. I read about its very quick calming abilities and decided it was worth a shot. Guess what? I didn’t pass out!
Milky Oat Tops (Avena sativa)
Milky oat tops come from the oat plant during a short stage when the seed is filled with a milky latex.
They are one of the most respected herbs for deep nervous system repair, especially for mothers.
While oatstraw nourishes the nervous system with minerals, milky oats are often used to restore strung out or exhausted nerves.
Energetically, milky oats tops are:
• deeply nourishing
• grounding
• stabilizing
When Milky Oats Are Most Helpful
I often recommend milky oat often recommended for mothers experiencing:
• burnout
• nervous exhaustion
• emotional depletion
That being said, they are a well rounded replacement (not exactly the same of course) for lemon balm in mothers that experience a milk supply drop from it.
Milky oat is warm and moist, making it a great companion with nettles.
Note: milk oat is usually harder to find in affordable, trustworthy quantities, I get mine organic from Sacred Blossom Farm, or I have also purchased it as a tincture from RA Herbals– they use organic cane alcohol for their tinctures.
The alcohol from tinctures is less than that of a ripe banana, but use your own discretion if you are very alcohol conscious.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile is sometimes underestimated because it’s so familiar, so simple.
But I want to stress that simple is good, simple is what mothers need.
Herbalists have used chamomile for centuries as a gentle calming herb for both the nervous system and digestion.
Energetically, chamomile is:
• slightly warming
• very relaxing
• anti-inflammatory
Postpartum Uses
Chamomile is especially helpful for mothers experiencing:
• tension headaches
• digestive upset
• difficulty relaxing or sleeping at night
It’s also widely considered safe during breastfeeding, which makes it a comforting choice for many mothers.
Chamomile is another herb like milky oat, that makes a great (or even better) replacement for lemon balm in breastfeeding mothers. Chamomile is fast acting like lemon balm.
There are some people that have an allergy to chamomile, be especially careful if you have an allergy to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or daisies. Test it on your skin first, or talk to your care provider first if you are unsure.
Note: My absolute favorite way to enjoy chamomile is in an herbal cocoa at night (I also love lavender this way). I use a tablespoon of lavender, steeped in hot milk for 15 minutes. Strain, add 1-2tbs of Anthony’s Organic Cocoa (i have tried countless cocoa powders and this is by far the richest for the price) and 1 tablespoon or so of raw honey depending on how much sweetness you like.
You won’t regret it, and the fat/protein from the milk helps stabilize the blood sugar effects of the honey.
Uterine Support and Postpartum Healing Herbs
Some herbs specifically support the physical recovery of the uterus after birth.
These plants help the body complete the natural process of returning to its pre-pregnancy state.
Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)
I’m sure you’ve heard of red raspberry leaf, as it’s one of the most famous herbs associated with pregnancy and postpartum care.
It’s traditionally used as a uterine tonic during both the final trimester of pregnancy and postpartum, meaning it helps tone and support the uterus during and after birth.
In fact, it’s used by many cultures to help prepare the uterus for the demands of birth.
Energetically, raspberry leaf is often described as:
• neutral to slightly cooling
• toning
• strengthening
Why It Matters After Birth
After birth, the uterus gradually shrinks back to its original size.
Red raspberry leaf is often used to support:
• healthy uterine tone
• postpartum recovery
• overall reproductive health
I recommend that most continue drinking raspberry leaf tea for months after birth as part of their rebuilding process.
Silly Note: I had a friend once who wanted me to make her a general nutritive herbal tea blend, I added a small amount of red raspberry leaf. When she saw the ingredient label, she texted me concerned about getting pregnant easier from red raspberry leaf. She doesn’t want children, or at least not yet and even she had heard of its reproductive health benefits!
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
Motherwort has one of the most fitting names in herbal medicine for mothers.
I wasn’t sure where to put this one because historically, herbalists have used it for both emotional and physical postpartum support.
Energetically, motherwort is:
• slightly bitter
• warming (great for oxytocin release)
• calming to the heart and to the nervous system
Traditional Uses
Motherwort has traditionally been used to support:
• postpartum anxiety
• emotional overwhelm
• uterine recovery
Some herbalists also describe motherwort as a plant that supports the emotional transition into motherhood. It might sound a little “woo-woo” to some, but many mothers find it deeply relatable.
Note: I add motherwort and lemon balm to my Whole Mother tea blend. Whole Mothers is a traditional, nourishing NORA tea + Mood.
Herbs for Postpartum Sitz Baths and External Healing
Not all herbs are meant to be taken internally, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.
Some of the most important healing herbs are used externally, especially in sitz baths during the 40 days postpartum.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula is well known for its skin-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
It’s important to note that it should not be taken internally for women trying to conceive, who are pregnant, or who are breastfeeding.
It’s known to have hormonal effects like bringing on menstruation, something we don’t want during these precious months. In postpartum care it is most often used externally in sitz baths and healing washes for the perineum.
That’s why I recommend getting its benefits externally.
Energetically, calendula is considered:
• gently warming
• very soothing
• tissue repairing
Why Calendula Is Commonly Used Postpartum
Calendula is commonly used in sitz baths to support:
• perineal healing
• soothing irritated tissue
• reducing inflammation
Many mothers say calendula baths feel incredibly comforting in the days after birth.
Note: I had cesareans for both of my births, I still used herbal baths postpartum to help with soreness, relaxation, and tissue support.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow has a very long, traditional history of use for wound healing and tissue repair.
Energetically, yarrow is:
• slightly drying
• cooling
• toning to tissues
Postpartum Uses
In postpartum herbal care, yarrow is often used (in combination with calendula) externally for:
• perineal recovery
• tissue tightening
• soothing soreness
Many traditional midwives and herbalists use sitz bath blends including both yarrow and calendula for this reason.
Note: I am currently working on a postpartum specific herbal bath tea or sitz bath. Join my email list to be notified when my creation is ready to become part or your postpartum or calming bath ritual ❤︎
If you aren’t into herbal baths, or even sitz baths—you can soak a cloth in the prepared “tea” and use it as a compress as well, this was very soothing for me when I felt nervous lifting myself in and out of the bath those first few days after my cesareans.
Rose (Rosa spp.)
Rose is one of the most emotionally supportive herbs.
While it doesn’t always get mentioned in clinical postpartum lists, many of us herbalists and doulas value it for its ability to support the heart during tender seasons (plus it looks beautiful in a tea blend—that in itself can be grounding).
Energetically, rose is:
• cooling
• uplifting
• emotionally soothing
Why Rose Belongs in Postpartum Care
I know I say it all too often and a mother-first herbalist, but the postpartum season is not only physical, it’s deeply emotional.
Rose is traditionally used to support:
• grief and emotional sensitivity
• heart centered healing
• gentle mood support
Many mothers describe rose tea in their tea blends as feeling comforting and nurturing, especially during the more emotional moments of early motherhood.
Note: I love rose, it has an effect on me that I almost cannot explain without questioning my “woo-wooness” haha! BUT I, like many others, do not love the taste so much. I love enjoying it in baths, herbal cocoas (like the one I mentioned above), and in small amounts in teas.
The Real Secret to Herbal Postpartum Recovery
If there is one thing I wish more mothers understood, it’s this:
Postpartum healing is not about a single herb, it’s not about 6 weeks, or forty days.
It’s about consistent nourishment over time, often times—a long time.
A daily cup of mineral-rich tea, a calming evening blend, or a nourishing infusion can quietly support the body while it does the enormous work of rebuilding after pregnancy and birth and fending off postpartum depletion.
This is the heart of what I call mother-first herbalism.
Supporting the mother first helps the whole family thrive.
Motherhood asks everything from us. Supporting yourself is not indulgent, it is essential.
You, mama, are the heart of your home. That’s important to nourish and care for.
In the next section, I’ll answer some of the most common questions I get from mothers asking about postpartum herbs.
FAQ: Herbs for Postpartum Recovery
What herbs help postpartum healing?
Common postpartum herbs include (but aren’t limited to) nettle, oatstraw, red raspberry leaf, chamomile, motherwort, lemon balm, and yarrow.
These herbs support mineral replenishment, nervous system recovery, and uterine healing, making them helpful for rebuilding strength and balance in the postpartum years.
How long should you drink postpartum herbal tea?
I recommend continuing nourishing herbal teas for at least several months after birth, or even throughout early motherhood, especially when recovering from postnatal depletion.
Postpartum isn’t 40 days, it’s years.
Are herbs safe while breastfeeding?
Many traditional postpartum herbs are considered safe while breastfeeding, but every situation is unique. It’s always wise to consult a qualified practitioner if you have specific health concerns.
What is the 40 day postpartum tradition?
Many cultures encourage mothers to rest for about 40 days after birth, focusing on nourishment, warmth, healing, and bonding with the baby. This period is sometimes called the fourth trimester, recognizing that recovery from pregnancy and birth takes time.
I believe it takes much more time than just 40 days.
Can herbal teas help postpartum exhaustion?
Yes, of course they can! Mineral rich herbs like nettle, alfalfa, and oatstraw, along with calming nervines like lemon balm, motherwort, and chamomile, can help support the body during periods of postpartum fatigue and nervous system depletion.