My 5-Step Natural Strategy for Healing Postpartum Anxiety and Depression
Did you know there are root causes for your postpartum anxiety and depression?
I know it’s such a chaotic time… but there are so many things you can do for your health.
The heart palpitations, dipped moods, and sleeplessness can quiet when you address these 5 steps.
Are you ready?
Natural Remedies for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
#1 Blood Sugar Regulation
So many of my moms, myself included, have tried the vegan diet.
But, after you’ve lost so much blood and carried a child for 9 months - you need the full amino acids from whole proteins.
If you continue to be vegan, you’ll need choline + B vitamins to make up for the nutrition you’re lacking.
Consider
wild-caught fish and/or add Omega3s to your diet
grass-fed beef or lamb
eating eggs again
starting the day with protein to reduce anxiety
Notice you’re craving sugar and reach for protein and fat first
drink apple cider vinegar with water after meals to reduce your cravings
Think Fat + Fiber + Protein for each meal
#2 Supplements
There are tried and true supplements to heal depression and anxiety.
Have your doctor check your thyroid levels and Vitamin D to make sure they’re not low.
Proven supplements to heal your body include:
Taking large amounts of Vitamin D for 3 months - if you’re low, increasing your Zinc WITHOUT copper to support GABA and serotonin increasing Omega-3s, taking a probiotic if you’ve had antibiotics,
Consider a Methylated B Vitamin + Folate and skipping Folic acid if you have the MTHFR gene/SNPs
#3 Regulate your nervous system
Learning how to calm your nervous system with vagus nerve exercises and brain retraining exercises is key to reducing your triggers
If babies are crying, partners and mothers-in-law are irritating you - look deeper.
How can you pause 3-5x day to “reset” your nervous system and lower your heart rate?
Additionally, exercising and sweating are necessary after birth to help you stay calm, eliminate excessive hormones and bring happiness back.
#4 Integrate herbal medicine
When struggling with anxiety and depression, you need a combination of herbs to help lift your spirit and then calm your nervous system.
St. John’s Wort is the #1 antidepressant we have available, and it’s considered a Level 2/3 while breastfeeding. Look for a combined supplement to help decrease depression.
Read more about SJW here: https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/stjohnswortwhilebreastfeeding
As you come out of depression, it’s common to experience anxiety.
When we have anxiety, we want a combination of Adaptogens + Nervines.
For example: Ashwagandha + Motherwort + Scullcap
By using a combination of herbs, you can retrain your nervous system to stay calm.
#5 Heal your gut
Have you heard of the gut-brain axis?
From PubMed:
“The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network that links the enteric and central nervous systems. This network is not only anatomical, but it extends to include endocrine, humoral, metabolic, and immune routes of communication as well.”
If you’ve ever taken antibiotics and become very moody, you’ll have experienced the gut/brain axis connection.
By healing our gut with the 4R approach- taught by functional medicine doctors- we can reduce digestive issues, calm our nervous system, and improve our mood.
Often, it takes huge lifestyle changes to pull us out of depression.
Remember
Healing is possible.
Are there online courses available for learning about herbal medicine for postpartum care?
Yes! Learn how The Present Momma can help you heal postpartum anxiety, depression, insomnia, and rage here:https://www.taragregorio.com/the-present-momma
Conclusion
You can take steps today to start healing your body from postpartum anxiety and depression. Diet is always first. Sometimes we need to get rid of foods that are creating inflammation in our gut.
Supplements are second to fill the gap of nutritional deficiencies from childbirth.
Choosing the right herbs and amino acids can calm our nervous system.
And last, healing our gut can improve our health for decades to come.
Do you believe healing is possible? Let me know if you have any questions in the comment area below.
I’d love to help.
xo Tara
P.S. Watch the video below to learn more.
Resources:
American Herbal Products Association; Botanical Safety HandbookHales
Medications and Mother’s Milk: https://amzn.to/35XZFq5- more about conventional medication and nursing
Bone & Mills: Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy
Aviva Romm: Botanical Medicine of Women’s Health- Categories from the German Commission E. {see below}Brinker, Francis: Herbal Contraindications and drug interactions
