The Best Herbs to Support Postpartum Recovery: A Holistic Guide Backed by Chinese Medicine
Introduction: Honoring the Postpartum Experience
The postpartum period—the often-referred-to "fourth trimester"—is a period of radical transformation. The body heals after childbirth, hormones change, and the heart feels new and unfamiliar sensations. How beautiful this is, though; it can also be accompanied by fatigue, hypersensitivity, and fogginess.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), postpartum healing is not rushed or neglected—it is indulged in. Herbal medicine has been used for millennia to nourish the body, soothe the mind, and rejuvenate the body after childbirth. Herbs can heal the uterus, stabilize the blood, soothe emotional ups and downs, and assist you in gradually and cumulatively building up your strength.
Regardless of whether you have just given birth weeks or months ago, this book is what you need if you are interested in natural, herbal postpartum care.
What Happens to the Body After Birth? (And Why Herbs Can Help)
Childbirth is a body-whole experience, physical, emotional, and energetic. Your body has a miraculous healing process once you've given birth, and it is a process that takes time, which requires nurturing and care.
🌀Postpartum recovery, from a biomedical perspective, includes:
A sudden loss of blood volume can leave you weak or dizzy.
Hormonal fluctuations, like falls in progesterone, estrogen, and oxytocin, can affect mood and sleep.
Recurring uterine contractions and lochia (vaginal discharge) as the uterus returns to pre-pregnancy size
Increased nutrient needs, especially if lactating
Emotional sensitivity or so-called "baby blues," which manifests in the first weeks
Postpartum, in TCM terms, is a state of Blood Deficiency and loss of qi (energy). Pregnancy and giving birth deplete a mother's life energy—blood, qi, and jing (essence)—which must be replenished. Without replenishment, deficiency can lead to weakness, poor milk, mood swings, and even chronic depletion.
That is where herbal medicine enters. Herbs replenish the qi, revitalize the blood, and reestablish the harmony of the body. When well selected, they act in a gentle yet strong manner to nourish your body's special postpartum needs.
✨At Open Care, we treat this stage as sacred. Our licensed herbalists take the time to get to know you and understand your postpartum constitution, so your recovery plan is as individualized as your experience.
Herbs of Postpartum Recovery: A Gentle Guide
Again, not all postpartum are alike, and neither are all healing herbs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, formulas are tailored to your constitution, symptoms, and emotional state. The following is an informal summary of some of the more popular herbs and formulas for postpartum healing, categorized by function.
🔄Blood Builders: Replacing What Was Lost
Childbirth is linked with a natural but considerable loss of blood. These herbs help to rebuild, nourish, and circulate.
1. Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)
Also referred to as the "female ginseng," Dang Gui is highly nutritious. It warms the blood, assists in healing the uterus, and promotes circulation.
Customarily added in postpartum formulas like Sheng Hua Tang.
📌Note: Generally not recommended if the bleeding is continuous.
2. Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia)
Thick, dark, and sweet, it is a yin-nourishing herb that builds blood and aids in hydration.
Beneficial for dryness, tiredness, and post-childbirth dizziness.
3. He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum)
Used to restore energy and to replace blood, especially after prolonged labor or cesareans.
Also traditionally used to encourage the growth of hair and longevity.
🧿Qi Tonics: Charging Your Life Energy
Fatigue is a component of postpartum. The herbs replenish the life energy (qi) consumed during pregnancy and childbirth.
1. Huang Qi (Astragalus Root)
Supplements immune function, healing of wounds, and gradually builds the body.
Typically used following a cesarean to facilitate incision healing.
2. Ren Shen or Dang Shen (Ginseng / Codonopsis)
They are effective tonics for establishing and supporting lactation.
Most appropriate for prolonged fatigue, loss of appetite, or poor lactation.
☯️Hormone-Balancing & Mood Support
Postpartum mood swings are expected. These herbs and formulas stabilize mood and improve mental clarity.
1. Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer)
A tried and trusted TCM formula to ease tension, irritability, and mood swings.
Tonifies the flow of liver qi, often disrupted following childbirth.
2. Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root)
Used to soothe the feelings, release tension, and rebalance.
Typically combined with other herbs for hormonal or mood balancing.
🍃Pelvic Recovery & Uterine Healing
Preserving the contracting and healing uterus is essential to long-term reproductive well-being.
1. Sheng Hua Tang (Birth-Transforming Decoction)
An ancient postpartum remedy that disperses blood, removes clots, and aids in complete uterine recovery.
It can even reduce cramping and lochia length.
2. Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort)
Also known as the "mother's herb," it has the effects of maintaining uterine tone, evacuating lochia, and serving as a nerve tranquilizer.
It may also treat mild anxiety and restlessness.
🌸Gentle Digestive & Nervous System Support
Rest and digestion often take a back seat during early motherhood, but they are the foundation of healing.
1. Chamomile Mild, gentle, and calming
Soothes the stomach, calms the nerves, and puts one to sleep.
It can be taken as a tea throughout the day.
2. Lavender
Applied in teas or aromatherapy to induce deep relaxation and mental tranquility.
Especially helpful for postpartum sensory overload or insomnia.
3. Red Raspberry Leaf
A traditional Western herb for women's health.
Rich in iron, and helps to tone and recover the uterus.
Can be used in conjunction with Chinese herbs for extra support.
👉Want to know the best herbs for your postpartum body? Book a one-on-one herbal consultation with an Open Care Community licensed practitioner.
How We Use These Herbs at Open Care Community
At Open Care Community, postpartum herbal care is never a prescription etched in stone. Your body is unique, so should your recovery plan.
When you schedule an herbal consultation with our licensed Chinese medicine practitioner, we start with listening. We inquire about your labor experience, energy, digestion, mood, lactation, sleeping, and other postpartum symptoms. Then we conduct a traditional diagnostic evaluation, which can involve taking your pulse and tongue—TCM hallmarks that enable us to read what your body is communicating to us on a more subtle level. With this information, we tailor-make a herbal product just for you. You may have herbs that condition your blood, calm your nervous system, induce lactation, or regulate your hormones, depending on the special needs of your body. Our suppliers are reputable and fully qualified to provide the purity, safety, and strength of our herbs.
We will, at times, recommend adding herbal treatment to other therapies such as community acupuncture or gentle bodywork such as gua sha or cupping. These therapies enhance the herbs to allow for circulation, to calm you, and to ground you.
✨"Think of your body as a garden," says one of our practitioners. "The herbs are the water and the nutrients—the sun is acupuncture—and your sleep is the fertile ground."
👉Learn about our herbal consultations and postpartum. Book your consultation today.
Safety Considerations: What You Need to Know
🌿 Herbs are a beautiful addition to postpartum healing—but as with any medicine, they are best utilized when used with caution and under guidance.
Here is what every new parent should know:
🧑🎓Speak with a Licensed Herbalist
Some herbs, like Dang Gui, are powerful blood movers and should be avoided during prolonged postpartum bleeding. Some are contraindicated if you've had a cesarean or are on certain medications. That's why we always recommend that you see a qualified licensed herbalist who knows your body and your birth experience.
👩⚕️If You're Breastfeeding
Herbs affect not just you, but your baby, too. At Open Care, we select only safe, lactation-safe herbs that enhance milk supply, nourish your energy, and fortify the health of both of you.
✅ Quality and Purity Matter
Herbs are not all equal. We get ours from trusted, rigorously vetted sources so you can be confident in your formula being free of contaminants, free of fillers, and all the rest you don't want in your body.
Herbs are subtle—but potent. Used judiciously, they provide a gentle, deeply curative mode of healing.
👉 Don't know what suits your body? We can assist. Book your postpartum herbal consultation now.
Blending Herbs with Other Therapeutic Modalities
Healing after childbirth is always multi-dimensional. That's why we usually integrate herbal care with acupuncture, bodywork, and lifestyle counseling at Open Care Community to maximize your healing from all sides.
🧘♀️ Acupuncture + Herbal Medicine
Acupuncture and herbal medicine, in totality, are the cornerstones of conventional postpartum treatment. The herbal medicine acts internally to replenish qi and blood and bring them to balance, while the acupuncture balances the hormones, calms nervousness, and brings about deep sleep. Also, the NH study supports this. Together, this is best in supporting lactation, curing sleeping disorders, and bringing about emotional equilibrium during postpartum.
💆♀️Bodywork Therapies
Your back, neck, and shoulders get a serious workout with early parenthood, especially if you are co-sleeping, nursing, or carrying. Cupping and gua sha therapy ease tension and reestablish blood circulation. Paired with inflammation and circulation herbs, you recover faster and better.
🥣 Holistic Integration
We also encourage gentle exercise, warm food, and rest as part of your recovery schedule. We would like to create a balance between your internal healing and external routine.
💚 Every postpartum experience is different. We will help you find a rhythm of care that is nourishing, enjoyable, and all about you.
Additional Resources & Support
Learning to care for yourself after having a baby is a process, and we're here to walk you through it. The following are resources and advice to keep you current and in control as you learn about herbal healing.
🌿 Quick Ref: Herbs listed in this Guide
Dang Gui – Uterine recovery, blood builder
Shu Di Huang – Tonic of blood and yin
Huang Qi – Energy and immune support
Xiao Yao San – Hormonal and emotional balance
Yi Mu Cao – Regulating uterine tone and mood
Chamomile, Lavender, Raspberry Leaf – Calming digestive and restful herbs
🗣️ What to Ask Your Herbalist
Are these herbs safe while I'm breastfeeding?
How will the herbs alleviate my symptoms?
How long do I remain on this formula?
Are there side effects or contraindications?
📚To learn more about the Herbal methods, you can read this.
FAQ: Chinese Herbal Medicine for Postpartum Recovery
🤱Q: Can I take herbs while breastfeeding?
A: Yes—herbs are usually safe and healthy. We take great care in choosing lactation-supportive formulas. Always consult your herbalist.
🩹Q: Are herbs safe after a C-section?
A: Yes, we formulate products that are targeted towards wound healing, energy levels, and emotional balance.
🕒 Q: How long should I be on herbs?
A: It depends on your symptoms and goals. Some patients respond well to 2–4 weeks of treatment; others continue longer with monitoring.
💬 Q: What if I'm feeling disconnected or emotionally overwhelmed?
A: Don't panic, you're not on your own. Herbs, acupuncture, and care can bring body and mind back into harmony. To learn more, contact our herbal team at Open Care Community.
👉 Have more questions? Connect with our herbal team at Open Care Community
Real Stories: Healing Journeys from the Open Care Community
Below are a few anecdotes of real patients in the Open Care Community:
💬This is my favorite community acupuncture in the city. I like the atmosphere and space, which is open, clean, and calm. Everyone who works here is kind and collaborative, and they take their time to work with you. I never feel rushed here. Most importantly, the treatments are thorough, very personalized, and effective.- Jamie Chan
💬 I really love this clinic and highly recommend booking a private session or community acupuncture!! I've gone for small injuries from strength training and even sleeping wrong (it happens, eh). I recently had a session with Kayla during my cycle, and I was very surprised that my tension headache and cramps subsided. I'm looking forward to going back for more sessions, especially because sometimes it can be hard to get some relief during that time. THANK YOU!! Book with Kayla if she has open slots; it will change your whole week.-
Rena Anakwe
Conclusion: You Deserve to Be Cared For Too
You've just brought the world to life—now bring your own to life.
Postpartum in Traditional Chinese Medicine is known as a "golden window" of recovery. It's not just bouncing back—it's rebalancing, refilling reserves, and paying homage to the incredible work your body has done.
At Open Care Community, we take the stand that your qi, your blood, and your emotional well-being are sacred. No matter if you're battling sleepless nights, emotional turmoil, or physical recovery, you deserve care that respects and heals the entire you.
Herbal medicine is a mild, age-old tradition of healing. With individualized acupuncture and bodywork, you will be grounded, nurtured, and empowered as you go on.
👉 Book your sliding-scale herbal consultation today.
