Wondering what postpartum herbs you should take to ensure you have the very best postpartum recovery possible? You have come to the right place!

Ayurvedic postpartum herbs have been healing countless generations of Indian mamas for millinea. They are tried and true and are now coming to YOU!

Herbal support is essential if you want to have a strong postpartum recovery. Taking the right postpartum herbs will give you the boost you need to achieve a total body reset after birth.

It is important to understand that you need varied types of herbal supports for total postpartum rejuvenation. Just drinking lactation tea won’t be enough for a strong recovery. You will also need a general postpartum rejuvenative tonic, as well as additional support for your digestion, depleted tissues, sleep, stress and emotions.

One of the easiest ways to help yourself heal faster after birth is by taking the right postpartum herbs. Listed below are 7 general Ayurvedic postpartum herbal supports that are highly beneficial after birth. Read about them and their suggested uses below, to learn how to best recover your strength and vitality after birth.

The postpartum herbs and supports outlined here are for general postpartum use and by no means replace the guidance of a trained professional. If you have questions and would like a personalized postpartum herbal consultation, you can sign up here or contact your healthcare provider.

Shatavari, translated as “one hundred husbands”, is a woman’s key to vitality.  This Ayurvedic superfood nourishes the tissues and specifically the female reproductive system. Shatavari builds healthy tissue, as well as encourages production of breast milk and a healthy immune system.

How to use: This cooling nutritive root is often used in a powdered form and can be added to a warm glass of milk. You can also add it to my mother’s chai recipe for something a little more exciting. For best results, wait 5 days after birth or until you have regained some digestive strength before consuming shatavari.

Ashwagandha is perhaps the most well known herb in the Ayurvedic pharmacopia. And with good reason. This nutrative root is a strong postpartum rejuvenative and  bestows “the strength of a horse”. It has the ability to bring us the energy we need by supporting deeper rest.

Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen, helping the body resist physiological and psychological stress be adapting to the needs of the body. By maximizing the body’s ability to resist stress, ashwagandha helps sustain your body’s vital energy throughout the day and restful sleep at night.

Some key postpartum benefits of ashwagandha include:

• Supports a healthy immune system
• Calms mental processes
• Fosters healthy sleep patterns
• Strengthens the reproductive system
• Supports sustained energy levels, strength, and vitality
• Promotes a healthy thyroid
• Promotes healthy functioning of the adrenals

How to use: Add 2 teaspoons of ashwagandha powder to a glass of hot cow or almond milk. Add a tablespoon of raw sugar and a pinch of cardamom for added digestion and taste.

Dashamula, meaning “ten roots” is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formula that brings healing to the womb as well as the entire pelvic region. It nourishes the nervous system, calms excess wind (vata) and gently helps with the elemination of toxins from the birth.

How to use: Make a decoction out of the cut and sifted herbs. In a small saucepan, add 2 teaspoons of dashamula and 2 cups of water to boil. Once boiling, turn down to a simmer uncovered until only 1/2 cup remains. Strain and drink half in the morning and half in the evening.

Hingvastak is a traditional Ayurvedic digestive formula that is excellent for rebuilding your digestive strength after birth. The energy expended during the birthing process weakens the digestion significantly. Therefore taking digestive herbs is necessary to regain a healthy metabolism.

Hingvastak will help you maximize the assimilation and absorption of nutrients from your food. This means better breast milk for your baby and more nutrients your body gets to keep! Hingvastak’s pungency will rekindle your digestive fire, while it’s oiliness will coat your intestinal wall, consequently supporting smooth elimination.

How to use: take 1/4 teaspoon of hingvastak in 4 oz of warm water before or after meals.

Chyavanprash is a delicious herbal jam made with amalaki fruit, ghee, honey, sugar and many healing herbs and spices. This traditional Ayurvedic recipe is a strong rejuvenative and has many benefits for your postpartum healing.

Eating Chyavanprash will rebuild your energy and strength, as well as nourish your tissues and stimulate healthy immunity and good digestion. It’s a great overall rejuvenative and is really yummy too! 

How to use: Chyavanprash is delicious on its own by the spoonful! You can also mix it into a glass of milk or use it as a spread on flatbread. 2-3 teaspoons a day.

Daily oil massage is one of the most important practices in Ayurvedic postpartum healing. While you will get great benefit from using just pure unrefined sesame oil, the added benefit of using the highly potent Ashwagandha Bala oil is well worth it.

Bala and ashwagandha are a powerful strength bestowing combo and is perfect to use on yourself as well as your baby. This oil will give you the strength you need to have a vital postpartum recovery, as well as support your baby to grow healthy and strong. This is the exact oil I use when I give postpartum and baby massages to my local AyurDoula clients.

How to use: For amazing results, massage both you and your baby with warm ashwagandha bala oil. To learn Ayurvedic postpartum self-massage, click here. To learn Ayurvedic baby massage, click here.