Post Pregnancy Remedies

I have mentioned in my prior post that when my mom came to take care of me post pregnancy, she bought along with her several desi nuska's (Indian remedies). At the time I wasn't aware of the benefits of all the ingredients and protested. In the day and age of google, I tried to find a website where I would get all the information, I thank Manjula for initiating such an informational site.  I have listed a few key ingredients and their benefits to a mother's body after pregnancy.

1) Turmeric helps heal internal wounds and acts like an antiseptic – Take a half-teaspoon turmeric powder every day with lukewarm milk at night before bed. Turmeric has several other health benefits as well.

2) Fenugreek seeds are great to help prevent and ease back and joint pain. Fenugreek seeds or fresh fenugreek are also taken to help nursing mothers increase their breast milk supply. Fenugreek seeds are available at many health food stores (GNC or Amazon). You can also soak them in water overnight and eat them twice a day.

3) Ajwain (carom seeds) helps soothe pain due to gas or indigestion. Every morning boil four glasses of water with two tablespoon of carom seeds (ajwain). Here is a link to Dill and Carmon water recipe that I posted a few weeks ago.  You can also add ajwain as an ingredient when making roti or cooking vegetables.

4) Dry ginger powder also known as sauth or ginger root; take with food. Ginger offers health benefits, including anti-inflammation effects, and can also be found in grocery stores. Replace red chili powder in your food with ginger, this will add a nice spicy kick. Remember; spicy food is not good for your infant as their digestive system is vulnerable and my belief is that what we eat transfers into the milk which is ultimately consumed by the baby.

5) Gaund (or Gond) is an edible gum resin that is extracted from the bark of the tree. Gaund provides heat to our body and is usually eaten in cold winter months. Gaund and whole wheat ka ladoo is normally prepared for the nursing mother to help with lactation and provide nutrients for the baby. The main ingredients are whole-wheat flour, butter, nuts, gaund, poppy seeds, and sugar.

6) Ghee (Clarified Butter) gives strength; it is high in calcium content and it goes well with a lot of indian food preparations. According to a 16th c. Ayrvedic text,  “Ghee is sweet in taste and cooling in energy, rejuvenating, good for the eyes and vision, kindles digestion, bestows luster and beauty, enhances memory and stamina, increases intellect, promotes longevity, is an aphrodisiac and protects the body from various diseases” (quoted from here). Nevertheless, one should take it in moderation and should not overdo it.