I am happy to announce that in just a few short months, I will be the proud auntie to a little baby niece!  I can't wait to do all the things good aunties do, like fuss over her as a baby, take her to high tea when she is old enough, and teach her the value of good books and polka dot dresses.  Even as I write this, I am in the process of knitting a hot pink blanket for her so that she knows how loved she is--loved even before she came into this world!

Of course, it's not all about the cute baby.  In fact, my mom and I have been doing quite a lot of girl bonding things to enjoy this pregnancy process with my sister and the whole family is helping her and her husband move into their new home this weekend.  So it has been lots of love and excitement all around! 

And yet we mustn't forget the needs of the mother.  Her body is changing rapidly as it adjusts to the new life it carries and it is important to make sure she gets plenty of nutrients in her system--just as important as plenty of rest, exercise, and a healthy diet.  So in honor of my sister's pregnancy, I came up with this herbal pregnancy tea blend meant to give this new mama a little TLC. 

One thing to keep in mind is that when using herbs, it is always wise to consult your doctor and local herbalist about what herbs are safe for pregnant women.  Make sure to stay away from stimulating herbs like ginger because it can make the uterus overactive.  With this in mind (and a trip to my local herb store to consult with the experts), I stuck with nutrient dense herbs like alfalfa, rose hips, and raspberry leaf for this recipe to give my sister the extra energy and vitamin boost she needs. The mint leaves balance the grassy taste of the alfalfa while soothing the nerves and easing morning sickness. 

This is also a great tea for non-pregnant ladies who need a little nutrient boost.  The raspberry leaf on its own, especially, has long be considered a woman's herb, as it is good overall uterus health and contains a significant amount of magnesium which most women are deficient in (and which can be one of the causes of cramping).  My sister has been enjoying this blend all throughout her pregnancy; she likes the taste and loves that it nourishes both mother and child!

Ingredients:

1 cup Alfalfa Leaf

1/2 cup Peppermint leaf

1 cup Raspberry Leaf

1/2 cup Rose hips

1/2 cup Spearmint leaf

Blend all ingredients in a bowl and transfer to an airtight container.  Keep away from direct sunlight and heat.  To brew, use a heaping tablespoon per cup of hot water.  Add more tea per cup of water for a stronger brew.  Makes approximately 3 1/2 cups of tea.  Enjoy!

Health Properties of Herbs:

Alfalfa leaves: natural diuretic, improves digestion, rich in vitamins A, E, K, B, D, iron, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

Peppermint: a cure-all herb for headaches, cramps, sore throat, and stomach aches.  

Raspberry leaf: rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, magnesium; tones uterus; relieves tension.

Rosehips: anti-aging; contains vitamins A, D, B, C, E, and K, iron, calcium, zinc, and other vital nutrients; promotes healing and boosts energy; antibacterial.

Spearmint: soothes nerves, motion sickness, along with the properties associated with peppermint; stronger flavor than peppermint.