Yes, I do realize that will eliminate 99% of you.
However, should you be looking forward to lactating at some point, or at some point in the past have lactated, OR just love me enough to look past my discrimination, please continue on.
It's no secret that milk production can take it's toll on a woman's body. Lots of nutrients are pulled from the mother on a daily basis to produce and supply the wee babe with fresh, fatty, healthy milk. In order to encourage and supplement this ongoing cycle, I wanted to post a homemade tea recipe for all to enjoy. On a separate note, this is not just for the ladies. Herbs have all kinds of wonderful benefits for all partakers; however, this recipe is specifically crafted for those of us whose bodies are pullin' double duty.
Mothers Milk Tea
Note: I purchased all these dried herbs fresh from my local health food store. To get enough herbs for 2+ batches (about 2 cups each) of this tea cost me about $3. The boxed Mothers Milk Tea was 2 oz. and cost $5.50. I win! Mountain Rose Herbs has wonderful prices on bulk herbs; I will order from here next time, when I do not have a brain fart, and plan ahead enough. Shame on me.
You will need:
- 1/2 cup fennel seeds: An aromatic spice that helps to stimulate milk production and also stimulates a sluggish digestion.
- 1/2 cup raspberry leaves: A soothing leaf beneficial for the female reproductive system.
- 1/4 cup alfalfa: Helps alleviate fluid retention and swelling, promotes a healthy urinary and digestive tract, cleans the blood, lowers cholesterol, and is rich in vitamins and minerals.
- 1/4 cup dandelion leaves: A leaf that acts as a diuretic, aids in alleviating fluid retention, and is rich in potassium.
- 1/4 cup thistle (my store was out of this, but try to snag it if you can!): An all around good detox herb (especially for the liver!). Also an anti-inflammatory.
- Wee bit of cinnamon, to taste
- Wee bit of cloves, to taste
The herbs used in this tea are pretty...hmm...grassy. The cinnamon and cloves help to sweeten the mix a bit.
Step One: Mix all the ingredients in a jar and shake.
Step Two: Steep the tea in hot water. Use 1-2 tablespoons per pot of tea. We just put ours loose-leaf style in a tea filter and then dunk it in the pot.
The end.
Don't you love easy recipes? Does that even count as a recipe?
Not a tea fan? Become one. Herbal teas are a simple, inexpensive, and effective way of nourishing and supplementing our bodies. Not only is it beneficial to our overall internal health, it's also beneficial for our souls to have a few peaceful moments tucked into our day. Maybe that moment is just as beneficial as the herbs themselves.
Sit still for a moment.
Take a deep, soothing breath.
Give your body back some of the goodies all that milk production has been pulling from you.
Use God's wonderfully designed deliciousness to help.
Please note that, ahem, even if you're not lactating, it's still a wonderfully delicious and beneficial tea.
In fact, Stuart is enjoying some with me at this very moment.
He's such a team player.
