Did you know that in China, for the 30 to 100 days after a woman gives birth, she is fully cared for, and is expected to do nothing but rest? This is a custom known as "sitting the month,” and is also referred to as postpartum confinement.

This practice goes back thousands of years, and is based on the understanding that a new mother is particularly weak and susceptible to infection. Family members or specially trained confinement nannies cook nutritious meals and herbal brews containing nourishing ingredients for the new mother, to support recovery after the trauma of labor, and to help with the production of breastmilk. These nannies often stay with the baby, allowing the new mom and dad to sleep through the night!

Immediately after birth, the following herbs are recommended:

• Yi Mu Cao, also known as Motherwort: This is prepared as a tea from raw herbs (60g) with 3 cups of water boiled down to 1 cup. It should be consumed for the first 3 days after birth. This herb helps to: invigorate the blood, dispel stasis, reduce swelling, clear heat, and resolve toxicity.

• Sheng Hua Tang: This formula can be taken simultaneously with Yi Mu Cao, and should be taken for only 1 week. It invigorates the blood, clears blood stasis, warms the body, and alleviates pain.

After taking the above herbs, for the subsequent 1-2 months, to tonify Qi and blood:

• Mix a packet of raw herbs containing:

  • Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Shu Di Huang, Bai Shao, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao - 10g each

  • Zhi Gan Cao - 3g

  • Wild Shan Hai Luo - 30g

  • Ginger - 10g

• Prepare the above in a broth with a piece of pig’s foot and consume daily