If You Get Hives, Read This

There are a few times in my life that I have broken out in hives.  Talk about no fun.  When I went to the doctor for it, they were no help at all.  Basically I was told that numerous things can cause hives, so really, they had no idea how to help me.  Just wait it out and see.

Well, I have an area on my leg that is prone to get one or two hives every once in awhile.  Actually, I haven't had the problem in quite some time and now I think I know why.  I regularly take a mixture of herbs that I encapsulate--it's a smoothie mix from Bulk Herb Store  called Circulatory Herba-smoothie.  I encapsulate it because I don't always have time to make a smoothie every day.  Well I ran out of my capsules and haven't even had time recently to make more!  I did some research on the Bulk Herb Store website--I love that site!--and found out exactly what I needed to know.  The site has a search box on the upper right.  I use it all the time.  You can type in a symptom or an herb you're looking for and it will give you information to help your ailment if the information is on the site.  I have been helped so many times with this.

This time I typed in "hives" to find herbs that would help with my hive problem, because they were starting to get worse.  The urge to scratch was about to drive me crazy.  I came up with the results of burdock root and nettle that help with hives.  I don't have either one of those at home.  But I did some more research and found out that my circulatory herba-smoothie mix I get from Bulk Herb Store contains burdock root, so it's probably been keeping the hives away.  But I didn't have any time to make that, so I checked if my Mama's Red Raspberry brew tea mix contained either burdock root or nettle, and I found out it contains nettle.  I made some tea and immediately felt relief from the itching!  I am so thankful for the things God made to help us feel better.

So if you have a problem with hives, you might want to try nettle or burdock root.  I have linked to the powdered forms which you can encapsulate, but Bulk Herb Store also sells them in cut herb form, which you can use in teas.  I have ordered from Bulk Herb Store several times and their shipping time is always very fast.

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Herbal Tea for Pregnancy

Over the past week I have heard more than once of the benefits of drinking red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy.  Red raspberry leaf tones and strengthens the uterus, preparing it for birth.

 

Here is some information from the Bulk Herb store website:

"Seven years ago there was a flurry of warnings over the web not to use large amounts of raspberry leaf (only European raspberry) during early pregnancy. I always take the safe road, so I cautioned pregnant ladies to only drink a cup or two a day of raspberry until they were 5 months along. Now trusted researchers go on record as saying that Raspberry is safe for pregnant women. Here are two sources that are respected and helpful. Debi Pearl

GrowingLife.com

AmericanPregnancy.org

Excerpts from The How the Herb Book

Red Raspberry is used as a basic herbal foundation for all female organs and problems. It is in many female combinations.
Strengthens wall of uterus and entire female reproductive system.
Decreases profuse menstrual flow.
Good during all months of pregnancy. Alleviates morning sickness and nausea. Has been used as a preventative for hemorrhaging during labor. Assists labor, makes delivery easier and relieves after pains. Tones and regulates before, during and after childbirth.
Increases and enriches milk for lactation, can be combined with marshmallow tea.
Raspberry tea is mild and pleasant to taste. It is good for stomachaches and bowel problems in children. For diarrhea in babies.
Soothing to stomach and bowels and cankerous conditions of mucous membranes in the alimentary canal.
High mineral and vitamin source.

Has been used in the following:
  

• Nausea
• Childbirth
• Coughs
• Digestion
• Fevers
• Flu-influenza
• Labor pains
• Miscarriage
• Afterpains of childbirth
• Pregnancy
• Antacid
• Colds
• Diarrhea
• Female problems
• Flatulence - gas
• Gastritis
• Decreases menstrual flow
• Mucous membranes
• Nursing
• Strengthens and tones uterus
  

Shannon of Nourishing Days makes an herbal pregnancy tea using red raspberry leaves, nettle leaves, and hibiscus flowers (which are optional).  Bulk Herb Store sells red raspberry tea leaves, as well as a special herbal tea mix called Mama's Red Raspberry Brew that contains Red raspberry, alfalfa, nettle, and peppermint.  I have heard that it is healthier to buy bulk tea leaves and make your own tea, as store-bought tea may have unwanted additives and may not be as fresh.

I would be interested to know if you have used red raspberry leaf tea in your pregnancies and what your experiences were.

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