I've enjoyed this herbal bath with each of our babies! The herbs, garlic, and sea salt make combine to make a healing, soothing, aseptic bath that helps prevent and control excessive bleeding, repair a woman's reproductive organs, and rapidly heal the baby's cord stump. No one (except the midwives who told me this would happen!) could believe how quickly our babies were sporting beautiful belly-buttons instead of black stumps - usually within two or three days!
This recipe is midwife approved and makes enough for 2 baths. If you don't use it all up, it can be frozen until the next bambino comes along or passed along to a pregnant friend. She'll love you for it!
You'll Need:
- 1 oz. Calendula
- 1 oz. Uva Ursi
- 1 oz. Comfrey
- 1 oz. Shepherd's Purse
- 1 cup sea salt
- 1 large, fresh garlic bulb
Directions:
Place herbs in a large pot (I use my biggest soup pan) and fill with water. Bring to almost a boil. Steep for a minimum of 2 hours - the longer, the better! Strain the solution. Pour the liquid into freezable containers (ice cream or yogurt tubs work well) and store in the freezer. The garlic and salt are added directly to the bath on the day you intend to use it.
As soon as possible after the birth, fill the tub with comfortably hot water (Brad usually does this for me while the midwife is checking baby's vitals and making sure everything is okay). Add one frozen tub of the herbal solution (it will melt in no time), a cup of sea salt, and a whole bulb of crushed garlic. You won't come out stinky, I promise!
Immerse yourself in the warm water and have your husband or midwife pass the baby to you. Your baby will stretch, unfold, float - maybe even smile, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of familiar weightlessness in the warm water. It's beautiful!
After you've had a good long soak with your precious new gift, pat yourselves dry, dress in warm, soft pajamas (or clothes if you give birth during the day!), and snuggle up in bed with your baby!
***You can also enjoy this bath after a hospital birth! Ask your husband to prepare it for you whenever you're feeling up to it after arriving home. The sooner after giving birth you use it, the more noticeable the healing effects will be.
I recommend buying your herbs and sea salt from high quality, organic sources like the Bulk Herb Store or Mountain Rose Herbs.
Linking to: Mind Body Sole, Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Frugally Sustainable, Natural Living,Modest Monday, A Mama's Story, Raising Arrows, Homestead Revival