Benefits for pregnant women
Sea buckthorn got its name from the type of arrangement of the fruits - they seem to cling to the branch. Sea buckthorn fruits are universal. During pregnancy, they are useful as a storehouse of vitamins, and they are a truly tasty treat. Sea buckthorn will be an excellent natural remedy for a number of health problems of the expectant mother.
The need for vitamins and minerals during pregnancy increases sharply, because now the woman is not their only consumer.
Pregnant women are allowed to put sea buckthorn berry juice into their nose for a runny nose, and it is also an effective remedy for cough and snoring. With a runny nose, the expectant mother can ease nasal breathing with the help of sea buckthorn oil, which is dripped into the nasal passages or cotton swabs soaked in it are inserted into the nostrils.
If preventive measures have not helped, and the expectant mother has caught a cold or has become infected with a seasonal viral disease, a gargle made from warm water and sea buckthorn oil will help her. If you have a sore throat, it is recommended to lubricate the affected mucous membranes with oil - the bactericidal properties of sea buckthorn will help relieve a sore throat and quickly restore the integrity of the membranes. Tea with sea buckthorn or a fruit drink made from its berries will help reduce fever and support the immune system.
If a woman has a sick stomach or a peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum, she is recommended to drink sea buckthorn oil before meals . This helps to envelop the inner walls of the stomach with an oily film, which will additionally protect the digestive organs from the action of gastric juice when digesting food.
The bright, juicy berry will help in solving many delicate problems that pregnant women often face - suppositories with sea buckthorn are widely used in the treatment of hemorrhoids at any stage of pregnancy, even in the early stages, when most drugs used for this problem are strictly contraindicated for the expectant mother.
Tampons soaked in sea buckthorn oil are useful against thrush , and vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women with weakened immune systems worsens quite often.
With stomatitis, a woman can not only eat fresh sea buckthorn berries, but also lubricate the affected areas of the oral mucosa with oil or juice of its fruits - this will promote disinfection, relieve inflammation and rapid healing of wounds.
The fruits are also widely used in cosmetology. During pregnancy, under the influence of changing hormonal levels, some women begin to experience skin problems - pigmentation increases, acne may appear, and the skin may become dry and vulnerable. In this case, it is not only recommended to take sea buckthorn orally to improve digestion and metabolic processes, but also to make masks with sea buckthorn oil, which will help the skin remain beautiful and healthy.
With sea buckthorn oil you can perform a body skin care massage. This is useful for stretch marks, which, as you know, are easier to prevent than to cure.
The instructions for using sea buckthorn and its oil are incredibly broad. Fresh berries are perfectly stored frozen and can meet a woman’s needs almost all year round. If a pregnant woman does not have such a supply, preparations based on sea buckthorn are sold in every pharmacy and are inexpensive.
Sea buckthorn during pregnancy is an excellent remedy for treating colds and increasing hemoglobin in the blood. B vitamins have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system, a woman becomes more stress-resistant, sleep, mood, and vitality improve.
Systematic intake of sea buckthorn is an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis.
But even such a useful and effective remedy as sea buckthorn needs the right approach. Therefore, if health problems arise during pregnancy, treatment should begin not with preparing sea buckthorn drops or drinking, but with visiting a doctor who, if necessary, will tell you how to properly use this or that sea buckthorn-based product.
If we talk about the composition, then during pregnancy folic acid, which is involved in the formation of the central nervous system of the fetus, and calcium, which is necessary to ensure the process of bone mineralization, can be considered especially valuable. Sea buckthorn contains a lot of iron, which will help with anemia.
The fruits are rich in magnesium.
Should a pregnant woman be wary of the healing berry?
In the first trimester of pregnancy, ladies should be very wary of any products and medications. Sea buckthorn is no exception to the rule, because its use can also cause some harm to a young woman.
First of all, most experts can remember the carotene contained in this berry. This substance can cause a strong allergic reaction in the expectant mother, which, of course, will also affect the development of the baby.
Due to its chemical and biological composition, sea buckthorn is not recommended for use by women suffering from chronic diseases of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas. It's all about the caffeic, malic and tartaric acids contained in the plant. These substances can cause spasm of the bile ducts, which provokes a sharp exacerbation of the chronic process in the female body.
The medical literature indicates very few restrictions for taking sea buckthorn preparations. In addition to problems with the liver and pancreas, the authors recommend using such medications with caution in patients with high acidity. Berries provoke an inflammatory process in the stomach.
If a woman uses sea buckthorn for any purpose during pregnancy, there are practically no contraindications for such treatment. The expectant mother is required to exercise the usual caution. At the first symptoms of an allergic reaction to the berry or problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the use of this plant should be stopped and immediately consult a doctor for help.
Watch the video about the benefits of sea buckthorn:
Possible harm and contraindications
Despite all the enormous benefits, sea buckthorn also has a number of contraindications that the expectant mother must be aware of. The coloring pigment that gives the rich yellow color to the fruits, oil and juice of sea buckthorn can cause an allergic reaction, both local and systemic. And even if the product did not cause allergies before pregnancy, there is no guarantee that an inadequate immune reaction will not occur after conception, because the immune system begins to work in a new way.
Therefore, pregnant women who definitely want to introduce sea buckthorn into their diet are advised to start with a small amount - literally with a few berries, gradually increasing the amount of fruits if an allergic reaction does not occur.
If taken sea buckthorn causes an eating disorder, nausea, diarrhea, rash, itching, swelling, you should stop using the product.
Fresh berries are contraindicated for women in the following situations:
- urolithiasis or cholelithiasis have been diagnosed;
- the woman has chronic or infectious liver diseases;
- gastritis or gastric ulcer has been diagnosed - for these ailments, only oil consumption is indicated;
- chronic or acute pancreatitis was detected.
Sea buckthorn oil has almost no contraindications. The only thing that can be considered is individual predisposition to allergies.
Contraindications for oral use
Despite the large number of beneficial properties, sea buckthorn oil has a number of contraindications:
- Like any other product of plant origin, sea buckthorn can cause allergic reactions.
At the top of the list of contraindications is individual intolerance to this fruit. Before use, perform a skin allergy test by applying sea buckthorn oil to the crook of your elbow and assessing the result after 2 hours. - One of the contraindications is diarrhea, because sea buckthorn oil has a laxative effect.
Diarrhea during pregnancy is very dangerous, as it can lead to dehydration of the woman and fetus. - Due to the high acid content, sea buckthorn itself and its oil should not be consumed during an exacerbation of various stomach diseases, in particular with pancreatitis, cholecystitis and inflammation of the duodenum.
- Sea buckthorn increases the acidity of urine, so it is better to avoid it if you have urolithiasis.
- Due to the high content of vitamin C, which can cause uterine tone, sea buckthorn oil is used with extreme caution in the first and last trimesters of pregnancy.
It is safest to take this product orally in the second trimester. - In the third trimester of pregnancy, using oil as a laxative can lead to premature birth.
Tips for proper use
In the early stages, if women like sea buckthorn and have no contraindications, you can eat the berries fresh and use sea buckthorn oil and juice. The juice should be diluted halfway with water, and dilution of the oil is required only if you need to gargle. In the 1st trimester, a woman can treat hemorrhoids with rectal suppositories with sea buckthorn oil, and use suppositories for constipation.
In the first third of the gestation period, your health is usually not very cheerful, and therefore it is recommended to add a few sea buckthorn berries to tea or compote - such drinks will help you gain efficiency and relieve drowsiness and fatigue.
In the second trimester, you can add cosmetic use to this use - now it is very important to do everything to prevent stretch marks. In the 3rd trimester, sea buckthorn will help support the immune system and prepare for childbirth. In the later stages, you can use sea buckthorn oil to sanitize the genital tract - make tampons with it to cleanse the vagina. And also in the 3rd trimester, many women massage the external genitalia and perineum with oil to increase tissue elasticity. It is believed that this reduces the likelihood of ruptures during childbirth.
When using oil, sea buckthorn juice and fresh berries, remember that if it gets on your clothes, it may leave unsightly and difficult to remove yellow stains. Be careful.
When choosing sea buckthorn and sea buckthorn oil, which would be most beneficial for a woman preparing to become a mother, pay attention to the place where the bush grows, the amount of carotenoids and the method of production (if we are talking about oil).
If a dietary supplement has a low carotenoid content, its beneficial properties will be significantly inferior to full-fledged oil and ripe sea buckthorn of a good variety. For pregnant women, you need the so-called pharmacopoeial oil. It contains at least 180 mg/% carotenoids.
Sea buckthorn, grown in Siberia and Altai, is considered the healthiest and richest berry for expectant mothers. But you can also buy berries from other regions, the main thing is that they are environmentally friendly and clean, because the fruits of the bush are very sensitive to the condition of the soil, water and air in the place of growth.
See the following video about the beneficial properties of sea buckthorn.
Maintaining Health
We can talk endlessly about the benefits of sea buckthorn, and, of course, most of you know about the existence of such a plant. Therefore, in antenatal clinics they often ask the question: “Can pregnant women have tea with sea buckthorn?” If there are no contraindications, it should be used regularly. This is a powerful preventative against flu and colds, which are undesirable while pregnant. Problems with treatment arise very often because most antibiotics and other drugs are prohibited.
Therefore, doctors most often answer in the affirmative the question of whether pregnant women can have sea buckthorn with sugar. It will quickly put all organs and systems in order, restore immunity and get rid of vitamin deficiency.
Sea buckthorn can easily cope with the cough that often accompanies a cold. For this purpose, it is most often mixed with honey. The result is a unique therapeutic duet that can outshine many pharmaceutical products. However, speaking about whether pregnant women can take sea buckthorn with honey, it should be noted that this remedy can cause an allergic reaction, so it is extremely important to start with a small dose.
Sea Buckthorn During Pregnancy The Best Helper
An interesting article, I’m posting it more for myself, so as not to forget.
Many pregnant women are constantly concerned about how to get rid of certain health problems without the use of traditional medications that have contraindications during pregnancy.
Sea buckthorn during pregnancy is one of the most commonly used natural remedies. The huge number of beneficial properties of sea buckthorn for getting rid of a number of diseases has always attracted the attention of people. In terms of the variety of beneficial properties it possesses, sea buckthorn simply cannot be compared with other plants. It is not for nothing that Tibetan medicine very often uses sea buckthorn for medicinal purposes, and all parts of the plant are used - roots, leaves, berries and flowers.
Sea buckthorn during pregnancy is most useful as a strong immunomodulatory agent, significantly increasing the woman’s body’s resistance to viral pathogens. Any expectant mother knows what serious consequences a simple acute respiratory disease can lead to for the baby and the pregnant woman herself. The use of sea buckthorn during pregnancy is a powerful barrier to bacteria and viruses.
Using sea buckthorn during pregnancy, the expectant mother’s body produces the required amount of antibodies that stabilize cell membranes. The rich vitamin composition is of particular importance in the use of sea buckthorn during pregnancy. Women expecting the birth of a child need a sufficient amount of vitamin A. It is sea buckthorn that will enrich the body of the expectant mother with carotenoids, vitamins C, K, E, which are contained in large quantities in this plant.
Medicinal properties of the plant
There is no doubt about whether sea buckthorn is useful during pregnancy. The plant has long been successfully used in folk medicine to treat a wide variety of diseases. This became possible thanks to the unique composition of the berry. Experts identify the following beneficial components of sea buckthorn:
- The main ingredients due to which the plant in question is widely used in medicine are, of course, vitamins. There are a lot of them in sea buckthorn. Vitamins A, C, E, K and the entire complex of B vitamins will help the expectant mother cope with toxicosis in the first half of pregnancy, support the woman’s immune system, and become an obstacle to vitamin deficiency.
- Don’t forget about the other beneficial components of this berry. Doctors include phospholipids, flavonoids, malic and citric acids, and tannins. The rare natural combination of these elements allows sea buckthorn to be used for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
- A large number of microelements, which the medicinal berry is rich in, allow the organs and systems of the unborn child to fully develop. Calcium and phosphorus contribute to the proper formation of the baby’s bones and muscles, iron protects the mother and her fetus from anemia.
- Separately, it should be noted the increased percentage of vitamin B9 or folic acid. This substance is extremely necessary for the expectant mother, as it prevents the occurrence of congenital deformities in the unborn child. Experts specifically prescribe this drug from the first days of pregnancy, and sea buckthorn can completely replace the pharmaceutical form of the medicine.
- It is worth recalling the increased content of vitamin B6 in the berry. This substance is a natural sedative and can protect the expectant mother from the stress and anxiety associated with bearing a child. If you come across sea buckthorn on the market, the beneficial properties of the berry during pregnancy will help you make a decision in favor of purchasing.
It must be said that this is not a complete list of all the possibilities of sea buckthorn for helping patients in the first trimester. You can recall the amazing regenerating properties of the plant, which are used to treat burns and injuries, and the excellent results from its use in the treatment of colds in expectant mothers.
This plant has an anti-inflammatory effect, perfectly fights bacteria and has a calming effect on the patient’s nervous system. Dosed administration of sea buckthorn medications practically does not cause allergic reactions and does not affect the full development of the unborn baby.
Sea buckthorn during pregnancy: indications and contraindications
Sea buckthorn is an unusually useful plant. Its berries are used to make delicious jam, as well as for medicinal purposes, as a natural source of essential microelements and a means to support the immune system. It is known that expectant mothers need vitamin-rich foods, but is sea buckthorn allowed during pregnancy?
The period of waiting for a child is not a direct contraindication, but this does not mean that it is useful for everyone. Let's consider the rules for using sea buckthorn, its medicinal value and existing restrictions.
Composition of sea buckthorn
It occupies one of the first places among medicinal plants due to its healing properties. Previously, only folk healers recognized its properties. However, modern research allows official medicine to diversify its arsenal of medicines. Therefore, today doctors have fully recognized that this unpretentious plant produces amazing berries, which are the most effective cure for many diseases.
Sea buckthorn is a real gift of summer. The fruits contain microelements such as potassium and iron, manganese and many others. They are complemented by a rainbow of vitamins: C, E, B1, B2, PP, K, P. Organic oils, flavonoids and tannins, and phytoncides complete the picture. All this together provides the healing properties of the plant. Do you think pregnant women can eat sea buckthorn? We can safely answer this question in the affirmative. This is a natural complex of vitamins and biologically active substances, which is extremely necessary for expectant mothers.
The benefits and harms of sea buckthorn for pregnant women
Why is sea buckthorn good for expectant mothers? The pulp of the berries contains all the microelements necessary for the full formation of the child’s organs, namely:
- vitamins A, C, B (the whole group), PP, K, E;
- organic acids;
- silicon;
- magnesium;
- iron;
- selenium;
- calcium;
- flavonoids;
- carotenoids.
For pregnant women themselves, sea buckthorn helps fight stress, strengthen the immune system, and speed up the recovery process from colds. And the valuable oil from this berry has regenerating and antiseptic properties. Its use allows you to reduce the use of chemical medications during pregnancy or completely abandon them.
The negative impact of sea buckthorn on the body of the expectant mother is practically excluded. But there is still a small risk.
The increased content of carotene in berries can cause skin rashes and other undesirable manifestations in women prone to allergies.
Description and composition of sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn oil is a healing remedy known to mankind since ancient times. The first mentions of medicinal properties date back to the 11th century BC. e. in the works of Tibetan and ancient Greek healers. One may wonder: how do they get this valuable product? It is produced by cold pressing from sea buckthorn berries and their seeds - they contain up to 10% of precious vegetable fat.
The oil contains:
- vitamins A, B, C, E, K, P, almost the entire group;
- acids: oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, polyunsaturated fatty acids, etc. (18 in total);
- micro- and macroelements (magnesium, iron, calcium, aluminum, boron, nickel, sulfur, manganese, silicon and 15 more);
- nutrients: glycoside, pectin, carotenoids, coumarin, phytosterol, flavonoids, tannins, etc.
The amount of vitamin C in sea buckthorn oil exceeds any citrus fruit, and in terms of the presence of provitamin A it is an absolute record holder. An additional unique property is the product’s ability to retain ascorbic acid even during heat treatment - baked goods or jam containing this berry do not lose this element at all.
Did you know? One of the popular names for sea buckthorn berries is “holy fruit” because they contain over 190 nutrients necessary for humans.
Sea buckthorn berries taste tart, sourish-sweet. Fresh fruits are eaten with seeds, which contain beneficial oils. In addition, seeds help cleanse the intestines and remove toxins from the body. For pregnant women, sea buckthorn can be a source of useful substances:
- Sea buckthorn is rich in vitamin C and contains a full set of B vitamins. In addition, the fruits contain vitamins A, E, K and P. Such a rich set supports a woman’s immunity and helps cope with vitamin deficiency.
- Folic acid is essential for the proper formation of the nervous system of the unborn child. This vitamin is prescribed at the planning stage of pregnancy, and a woman is recommended to consume vitamin B9 throughout her entire pregnancy.
- Calcium, phosphorus, selenium, iron and zinc contribute to the proper formation of the fetus.
- The berry contains antioxidants, tocopherols, phylloquinone, oleanolic, ursolic and triterpene acids.
- Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters, otherwise called the “happiness hormone”, and improves mood.
- Beta-sitosterol is a substance that has an anti-sclerotic effect and will help cope with forgetfulness and absent-mindedness.
Indications and contraindications
Sea buckthorn is widely used in gynecology. During pregnancy, it is used as part of suppositories, which are prescribed for the treatment of cervical erosion, colpitis, cervicitis, hemorrhoids and anal fissures. They are also effective for constipation.
Sea buckthorn oil is used to treat abrasions, burns, mucous membranes of the nose and throat for colds. It is suitable for lubricating the skin to prevent stretch marks, however, be aware that due to the rich orange color, stains may remain on clothing.
The fresh berries themselves and the juice from them are recommended when immunity decreases, which often occurs in the autumn. There is a positive effect of sea buckthorn consumption on hemoglobin levels. Read more about the normal hemoglobin level during pregnancy→
It has even found its application in cosmetology. It is recommended to add berry pulp to face masks; this helps eliminate rashes and cleanse the skin. And applying sea buckthorn oil to your hair will give your curls silkiness and strengthen them.
But, despite all the healing properties, sea buckthorn is not always useful. In addition to individual intolerance, in which any products containing this berry are contraindicated, there are other restrictions.
During pregnancy, sea buckthorn should not be consumed fresh orally if a woman has:
- liver diseases;
- pancreatitis;
- cholecystitis;
- cholelithiasis;
- gastritis;
- urolithiasis disease;
- intestinal or stomach ulcer.
If there is no allergy, external use of berries and juice for these conditions is not prohibited. Also, on the recommendation of a doctor, rectal administration of drugs that include sea buckthorn and the use of oil is allowed.
Recommendations for the use of sea buckthorn in the first half of pregnancy
This is one of the few medicinal plants that can be recommended to women for the treatment and prevention of diseases in a variety of forms. Experts advise patients the following:
- Preparation of various decoctions and infusions from this healing berry.
- To prevent colds and increase immunity, ladies can eat jam. Sugar should be added to taste to the finished product to avoid weight gain in a pregnant woman.
- Many traditional healers use fresh berries to treat burned or frostbitten areas of the body. They are perfect as a medicinal filling for compresses.
- Many experts advertise sea buckthorn oil during pregnancy. Based on the results of the study, this healing product helps with colds. Cosmetologists consider medicated oil very useful for caring for a woman’s hair and skin, since they can lose their natural qualities during pregnancy.
- No less useful than berry processing products is fresh sea buckthorn juice. It is recommended to expectant mothers with ARVI and sore throat. The only contraindication is chronic gastritis or cholecystitis in a young woman.
Separately, I would like to say about the most popular medicinal form from this plant - sea buckthorn suppositories. Due to their composition, which, in addition to vitamins and minerals, includes organic acids and other biologically active substances, suppositories have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.
Suppositories based on this medicinal plant are widely used by specialists in various fields of medicine. Most often, such therapy is recommended to their patients by gynecologists and surgeons.
Situations often arise when the conception of a child occurs in a woman suffering from inflammatory diseases of the genital organs. In the first trimester of pregnancy, in order to quickly cure colpitis or various erosions, experts advise expectant mothers to use just such a gentle therapy.
Surgeons, in turn, believe that sea buckthorn is extremely useful for hemorrhoids during pregnancy. They also like to use these suppositories in their practice to treat anal fissures.
The anti-inflammatory effect of sea buckthorn itself is a consequence of the blockade of immune cells. The active substances contained in the berry reduce the level of histamine in a woman’s body, which leads to this effect.
Ways to use sea buckthorn during pregnancy
It has already been mentioned that both fresh fruits and various products based on sea buckthorn are valuable. Consider the most popular ways of using them, allowed for pregnant women.
Sea buckthorn oil
Oil made from sea buckthorn berries successfully combats nasal congestion during colds. To relieve a runny nose, place a couple of drops of the product in each nostril 2-3 times a day.
An alternative to instillation is small cotton swabs soaked in sea buckthorn oil. They are inserted into each nostril for 10 minutes. The product kills pathogens and relieves inflammation of the mucous membrane.
If a sore throat bothers you, it is recommended that a pregnant woman prepare a solution for gargling. To do this, pour sea buckthorn oil (1 tsp) into a glass of warm boiled water and mix thoroughly. Gargle with the solution several times a day. Instead of rinsing, you can lubricate the tonsils and mucous membrane of the throat with a cotton swab dipped in oil.
Another problem that expectant mothers often face is skin pigmentation and acne. You can get rid of these defects using sea buckthorn oil. You just need to wipe the problem areas with it daily.
If your skin is too dry, a mask made of honey, egg yolk and sea buckthorn oil will relieve the feeling of tightness. All components for it are taken in equal proportions and mixed. The mixture is applied to the face for 10 minutes and then washed off. With regular use, this mask helps smooth the skin, making it soft and velvety.
Sea buckthorn oil is also useful for exacerbation of stomach ulcers. When taken orally, 1 tsp. pain relief is reduced by enveloping the walls with an oily liquid. The substances contained in the oil promote rapid healing of ulcers. It is taken 20 minutes before meals, but the duration of the course of treatment and its admissibility in a particular situation should be clarified with the attending physician.
Juice, berries and seeds
Often women suffer from constipation during pregnancy. Sea buckthorn seeds will help correct this problem. To prepare the medicine you need to take 1 tsp. seeds, pour a glass of boiling water over them and cook for 15 minutes over low heat. The product is drunk twice a day - in the morning and before bed. The decoction should be taken until the condition normalizes.
Sea buckthorn is also indicated during pregnancy to improve digestion. To do this, pour 200 ml of boiling water over crushed berries (1 tbsp) and bring to a boil. Then, the broth is cooled and filtered. You need to drink the product after meals, half a glass three times a day.
If your immune system is weakened and you have vitamin deficiency, you can support your body by taking 3 tbsp. l. sea buckthorn juice, 100 ml mint decoction, 1 tbsp. l. honey and the same amount of boiled water. After thoroughly mixing all the ingredients, the product is placed in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Drink it 2 times a day, half a glass, and continue taking it for 2 weeks.
If you have a cold, to speed up recovery, take 3 glasses of sea buckthorn juice, 0.5 liters of warm water, add 5 tbsp. l. sugar, stir everything and pour the mixture into a thermos. Taking it 3-4 times a day, 1/2 cup, you will soon feel better. Treatment should last at least 7 days.
In addition to the recipes listed, sea buckthorn is good on its own. Jam from this berry and freshly squeezed juice not only have a pleasant sour taste, but also saturate the expectant mother’s body with vitamins. Some housewives stock up on berries for future use, storing them in the freezer to always have this healthy product on hand.
Candles with sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn oils are included in suppositories that help pregnant women get rid of such a delicate problem as hemorrhoids. The drug is inexpensive and has a pronounced healing effect. But there is one drawback - after dissolving, the candles can leak, leaving stains on the laundry that are difficult to remove. To prevent this from happening, you should use gaskets during their use.
Suppositories are usually used twice a day. Before the procedure, you need to empty your intestines, and after inserting the suppository, you should lie down for 30-40 minutes.
In addition to rectal ones, vaginal suppositories are also produced. They are used to treat colpitis, endocervicitis, and cervical erosion. But remember that it is not safe to prescribe such drugs yourself. Treatment for the expectant mother must be coordinated with a gynecologist.
How to use berries for a pregnant woman
The methods of using this plant for early treatment are very different, but in any case, consultation with a doctor is required. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the formation of the baby's organs and systems occurs, and any new medicine or food product can negatively affect this process.
What do experts advise their clients:
- During pregnancy, the expectant mother experiences a malfunction of her immune system. To maintain it, a woman can simply drink sea buckthorn tea daily during pregnancy. The presence of a large amount of vitamins and microelements in jam or dried berries will strengthen the patient’s immune system and protect her from colds.
- In 70 - 80% of cases, the first weeks of pregnancy are accompanied by disturbances in the woman’s gastrointestinal tract, which is usually expressed by severe constipation. This is due to changes in diet and hormonal changes in the woman’s body.
To prevent and treat this problem, doctors advise pouring 20–30 grams of sea buckthorn seeds into 0.5 liters of boiling water and simmering over low heat for 20–30 minutes. It is advisable to consume the resulting decoction in the morning and evening 15 minutes before meals. The product is completely harmless, so the expectant mother can use such therapy for a long time.
- For colds, many experts advise expectant mothers to drink sea buckthorn juice during pregnancy. Making it yourself is quite simple. To do this, thoroughly beat a kilogram of fresh berries using a mixer, add a kilogram of sugar and put it on fire. At a temperature of 50 degrees, sugar should completely dissolve. The resulting syrup, after cooling, is mixed with ordinary water in a variety of proportions, according to the woman’s taste.
In addition to the listed infusions, decoctions and compotes, the medicinal berry is also used in the form of sea buckthorn oil, which will help a pregnant woman keep her skin healthy. This oil from various manufacturers is widely represented in the pharmacy chain. Its home preparation requires strict adherence to proportions and is quite labor-intensive.
We recommend reading the article about honey during pregnancy. From it you will learn about the use of honey for a pregnant woman, diseases for which honey helps, as well as the permissible daily dose and contraindications.
Sea buckthorn is one of the few products that are allowed for the expectant mother throughout pregnancy and even during breastfeeding. Plant oil is recommended to lubricate women's nipples to prevent cracks during breastfeeding.
The only condition for the use of this medicinal plant is caution and constant monitoring of the doctor over the condition of the pregnant woman and her unborn child. If a lady wants to enjoy this delicacy, permission from a specialist for such a change in diet must be obtained.
Is sea buckthorn beneficial during pregnancy? Similar questions often arise in women at different stages of embryo development. And for good reason. Almost every pregnant woman takes responsibility for bearing a fetus, trying to fill her diet with only the healthiest foods. However, it should also be remembered that sometimes what is useful to one person is harmful to another. Sea buckthorn is a leader in the list of medicinal plants due to its natural uniqueness.
Useful properties of sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn is a rather tall shrub that came to Europe from Mongolia and China. Today the plant is quite popular all over the world. Sea buckthorn fruits are widely used, but do not forget that the bark, color, leaves and even roots of the plant have medicinal properties. It is truly considered a “wonderful” tree in eastern countries. Its healing properties were highly valued by Tibetan monks. In European countries, oil, fruit drinks, syrups and teas are made from the ripened fruits of the plant.
Due to its unique healing composition, sea buckthorn is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, diseases of the respiratory system, burns, dysfunctions of the digestive system, and diseases of the organs of vision. The high concentration of ascorbic acid in sea buckthorn will prevent harmful infections from entering the body. The plant is rich in minerals. The content of microelements in sea buckthorn juice is shown in the table:
Sodium |
Phosphorus |
Calcium |
Magnesium |
Potassium |
Silicon |
Sulfur |
Iodine |
Zinc |
Ascorbic acid, contained in sea buckthorn, has extraordinary properties: improves blood clotting, eliminates vascular permeability, promotes bile secretion, and restores thyroid function. Sea buckthorn oil has an excellent regenerating effect. Thanks to thiamine and riboflavin, wounds, abrasions, and swelling are quickly healed. Suppositories have also proven effective in restoring the mucous membranes of the vagina and rectum.
Most likely you will be interested in: Ascorbic acid during pregnancy
Pregnancy and sea buckthorn
During the period of gestation, the female body is in a “borderline” state. There is a noticeable tendency towards exacerbation of chronic diseases. An observing doctor will help determine whether sea buckthorn can be taken during pregnancy.
Benefits of consuming sea buckthorn during pregnancy:
- Strengthening the immune system. Boosting immunity is very important for pregnant women. The pregnancy of each woman lasts up to nine months in general, you can look in detail at the pregnancy calendar, which means that she will definitely find herself in this position during two cold periods of the year, when respiratory infections are everywhere and the body is weakened. Moreover, the immune system of a young mother becomes more vulnerable in any weather conditions. It is extremely dangerous for pregnant women to take antibiotics and antipyretic pharmaceutical drugs, which can negatively affect the fetus, so sea buckthorn tea is especially indicated during pregnancy.
- Wound healing abilities. Sea buckthorn has miraculous regenerative abilities. Sea buckthorn oil works wonders. It can be used not only externally to eliminate damage to the skin and mucous membranes. Sea buckthorn oil can be used to lubricate a sore throat with tonsillitis, and small doses can be added to nasal drops for rhinitis, complications such as sinusitis and pharyngitis.
- Normalization of intestinal function.
When mashed sea buckthorn enters the gastrointestinal tract, it is almost completely absorbed, however, the mashed seeds perform a function similar to bran or wholemeal flour. They effectively, without causing excessive gas formation, stimulate the walls of the large intestine, which promotes the rapid movement of feces and bowel movements. Many pregnant women experience constipation. They often have to solve this problem by resorting to medications, which over time, with frequent use, cause addiction to the body and intestinal atony. Related article: Mezim during pregnancy - Prevention of vitamin deficiency.
Sea buckthorn is a real storehouse of vitamins and microelements that help overcome vitamin deficiency. Raw berries are especially useful during the demi-season periods. The bright yellow color of the berry indicates the inclusion of a large amount of beta-carotene, an essential hydrocarbon, deservedly called the “elixir of life.” The chemical composition of sea buckthorn is replete with vitamins A, B, C, E, K, PP. The daily requirement to replenish the body with all the necessary nutrients for an adult is 100 grams of raw product. Related article: ASCORBIC ACID IN PREGNANCY - Normalization of the cardiovascular system. Rutin contained in sea buckthorn strengthens the walls of small and large vessels. Sea buckthorn significantly reduces blood cholesterol levels, preventing heart disease. And normalizing the level of lipids in the blood will prevent heart attacks and hypertension.
- Restoration of hair structure, nail plates and skin. Sea buckthorn oil is widely used for cosmetic purposes. There are frequent cases of hair loss on the scalp in pregnant women. This is explained in some cases by hormonal surges, stressful situations, lack of microelements, and large loss of calcium by the body.
- Low calorie products made from sea buckthorn. Pregnant women often have to seriously monitor their weight. Sea buckthorn will only help you avoid gaining extra calories. There are only 82 calories per 100 grams of raw product.
Harm from consuming sea buckthorn during pregnancy - you need to know this!
Do not forget that sea buckthorn is not suitable for everyone. The scourge of our time is autoimmune diseases. Among them, allergies are loudly “walking” across the planet. Women suffering from allergies have a difficult time coping with pregnancy. Cases of prolonged toxicosis and exacerbation of the asthmatic component due to allergies cannot be excluded. Sea buckthorn is a bright orange berry. These products are not suitable for all allergy sufferers.
An important factor is that sea buckthorn can aggravate chronic diseases of the digestive system. For persons with pancreatic dysfunction, duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, acute forms of pyelonephritis, enterocolitis, and liver disorders, sea buckthorn in its raw form is strictly contraindicated.
Sometimes internal use of sea buckthorn can be replaced with external procedures. For example, do inhalation with sea buckthorn oil. Again, the pregnant woman should coordinate such actions with the supervising doctor.
Some useful tips and recipes
It is advisable to consume sea buckthorn orally in its raw form. When boiling or pouring boiling water over the fruits of the plant, its healing composition will be destroyed. First of all, ascorbic acid will be lost, which nature itself has endowed with the properties of increasing human immunity.
Precautionary measures
To understand whether you can consume sea buckthorn during pregnancy, read the list of conditions under which its use is undesirable. If there are no contraindications, but you have not used it before, you need to introduce a new product or remedy gradually to make sure there is no allergy.
When used externally, application should begin with small areas of the skin. When taken orally, the dosage should also be reduced. The absence of negative manifestations means that sea buckthorn can be used for medicinal purposes or simply as a treat.
Author: Yana Semich, especially for Mama66.ru
Useful properties of berries
Sea buckthorn is known for its unique properties that help with various colds and as a prophylactic. It is used to treat burns and as a fortified complex orally, as well as sea buckthorn tea during pregnancy.
The composition of sea buckthorn includes:
- vitamins - groups B, E;
- vitamins A, C, PP;
- folic acid;
- biotin;
- pyridoxine;
- riboflavin.
In addition, it is simply a storehouse of various minerals, as it is rich in calcium, magnesium, iron and other useful elements important for the functioning of the body. It has a fairly low energy value, consisting of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
Its berries are mainly used, but even oil is made from the seeds and is also used as food additives and medicines. Sea buckthorn can be stored in different ways, but it is harvested in the fall, when the berry is fully ripe.
Storage methods
:
- in dried form;
- as jam;
- make oil;
- frozen;
- fresh (berries together with seeds are twisted with sugar and placed in a cool place).
Various compotes, juices, purees, decoctions, tinctures, and liqueurs are made from it, based on sugar syrup or alcohol-containing components.
For pregnant women, drinking even small doses of alcohol is contraindicated, so it is not advisable to use such tinctures.
Sea buckthorn is excellent for the treatment of many diseases, including the prevention of vitamin deficiency, and is easily stored, and can retain its beneficial substances and properties for several months and even years.
However, it is worth noting that it is a rather specific berry, and therefore whether it is possible to take and eat sea buckthorn during pregnancy must be checked with a doctor who observes all stages of development and gestation of the baby of the expectant mother.
For any woman, pregnancy is a very important and responsible task in life. In the autumn-winter period, when every person lacks vitamins to increase their amount in the body and strengthen the immune system, you can drink various tinctures, juices and drinks, and also eat purees.
Sea buckthorn is an excellent preventive remedy for many colds, including influenza and ARVI. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe its use as an anti-stress remedy, as a basis for runny nose and cough, to speed up healing processes and to replace some chemical medications.
Very often, due to the heavy load on the body, pregnant women catch a cold. The main recommendations from doctors in such cases are to drink as much warm liquid as possible and treat with folk remedies. Of course, there are exceptions and to find out for sure whether pregnant women can take sea buckthorn only from a doctor. If a woman does not have any pathologies, then she can take a worthy place in any medicine cabinet, and her berries will perfectly decorate and provide the dining table with the necessary beneficial properties.
In addition, it has remarkable regenerating properties and is therefore used as a prophylactic agent to avoid cellulite and stretch marks. Sea buckthorn oil has antiseptic, softening, healing properties and has an effective effect on the entire body as a whole. It is rubbed into the skin and massaged with it.
The oil is naturally suitable as prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of various gynecological diseases (before and after conception); for constipation, decoctions can be prescribed to reduce lumbar pain during late pregnancy. Decoctions, tinctures, oils, purees and juices are used. Every pregnant woman should always consult a doctor before using any products or medications.
Sea buckthorn during pregnancy contraindications:
- pancreatic disease;
- organs of the gastrointestinal tract (Gastritis);
- liver disease (Hepatitis);
- gallbladder;
- urolithiasis disease.
Sea buckthorn should be taken with extreme caution after undergoing a full examination. The doctor must find out if the woman under observation has any allergic reactions or contraindications.