Herbal Tincture

Struggling with postpartum anxiety while breastfeeding can feel overwhelming.

Many new moms want natural remedies, but worry about which herbs are safe to take. During my own postpartum journey, I discovered that making a homemade tincture with the right herbs provided gentle, effective relief for anxiety without risking my baby’s safety.

This guide will show you how to create a safe herbal tincture for breastfeeding moms that helps soothe stress, calm the nervous system, and support emotional balance.

Step 1: Choosing Safe Herbs for Breastfeeding Moms

  • Not all herbs are safe for nursing, so it’s important to do your research before using any postpartum herbal remedies.

  • Two excellent resources include:

  • Herbal Safety Book by Mills and Bones

  • KellyMom.com for breastfeeding-safe herbs

When selecting herbs, keep these tips in mind:

  • Check for allergies to avoid unwanted reactions.

  • Review medication interactions if you’re taking prescriptions

  • Introduce herbs one at a time so you can track how your body responds.

Step 2: Focus on Adaptogens and Nervines

When it comes to natural remedies for postpartum anxiety, two categories of herbs are especially helpful:

  • Adaptogens – Help your body adapt to stress and balance hormones.

  • Nervines – Calm and soothe the nervous system.

Alongside tinctures, you can also drink a calming herbal tea blend for anxiety throughout the day.

  • Chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender teas are gentle options that promote relaxation, especially before bedtime.

Step 3: Best Herbs for Postpartum Anxiety Relief

While many herbs can help, the two I recommend most for breastfeeding moms with anxiety are:

  1. Ashwagandha – A powerful adaptogen that reduces stress and supports resilience. Purchase it in tincture form from a trusted supplier such as Herbalist & Alchemist or Herb Pharm.

  2. Motherwort – Ideal for calming heart palpitations, reducing anxious feelings, and easing the emotional stress of early motherhood.

Other supportive herbs you may try include chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, nettles, passionflower, and skullcap.

Many of these are relaxing, so they work best in the evening to improve sleep and reduce nighttime anxiety.

Step 4: How to Make a Postpartum Tincture at Home

Making your own herbal tincture for anxiety is simple and cost-effective. Here’s how:

  • Mix Ashwagandha and Motherwort in a 1:1 ratio.

  • Example: Combine 1 oz of each into a 2-oz glass tincture bottle.

  • For larger bottles, scale the ratio equally.

  • Always label your tincture with the ingredients and the date.

  • Suggested Dosage: Start with 30 drops in ¼ cup of water, up to twice daily. Adjust based on body weight and always consult your healthcare provider before use.

Step 5: Using Your Tincture for Postpartum Support

  • Take the tincture morning and evening for consistent results.

  • Monitor your body and baby for any reactions.

  • If side effects occur, pause and reintroduce herbs one at a time.

If you are no longer breastfeeding, you can safely experiment with a wider range of herbs for anxiety and stress relief.

Final Thoughts

Managing postpartum anxiety naturally is possible when you choose the right herbs. For breastfeeding moms,

Ashwagandha and Motherwort are two of the safest and most effective tincture options.

Taken daily, this blend can:

  • Calm anxious thoughts

  • Reduce stress and overwhelm

  • Support emotional balance during motherhood

If you’ve been searching for safe, natural remedies for postpartum anxiety, try creating this gentle tincture at home. And if this guide helped you, please share it with another mom who may benefit.

xo

Tara

References:

  1. Naderi Dastjerdi M, Darooneh T, Nasiri M, Moatar F, Esmaeili S, Ozgoli G. Investigating the Effect of Melissa Officinalis on After-Pains: A Randomized Single-Blind Clinical Trial. J Caring Sci. 2019 Sep 1;8(3):129-138. doi: 10.15171/jcs.. 2019.019. PMID: 31598505; PMCID: PMC6778308. [source]

  2. Vaziri F, Shiravani M, Najib FS, Pourahmad S, Salehi A, Yazdanpanahi Z. Effect of Lavender Oil Aroma in the Early Hours of Postpartum Period on Maternal Pains, Fatigue, and Mood: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Prev Med. 2017 May 4;8:29. doi: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_137_16. PMID: 28567231; PMCID: PMC5439291. [source]

  3. Pratte MA, Nanavati KB, Young V, Morley CP. An alternative treatment for anxiety: a systematic review of human trial results reported for the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Dec;20(12):901-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2014.0177. PMID: 25405876; PMCID: PMC4270108. [source]

Schedule a call to Tara
Tara J. Gregorio

I’m an expert on postpartum recovery and herbs for women’s health - I love teaching others how to use herbal and homeopathic remedies, so they feel confident they will work fast enough.

Previous
Previous

The ONE Daily Tea

Next
Next

7 Supplements Your Child Needs To Reduce Seasonal Allergies