When I first saw my positive pregnancy test, I mentally calculated my due date and realized it would be early May. Then three thoughts shot through my head:
1. Hooray! I’m pregnant!
2. I wonder if we’ll have a Cinco de Mayo baby? What a fun first birthday that would be!
3. Oh dear goodness, nooooooooo….. allergy season!!
I prefer to stay away from medicine while pregnant. Since I don’t usually take medicine often anyway, this isn’t that big of a deal. However, I’ve shared before that I have terrible spring allergies. They are so bad that they change my way of life for a couple months. I shared my natural allergy remedies two years ago (still using them all too!) and recently went back and added a new favorite… ALFALFA.
Nope, not the cute kid from Little Rascals. Let me elaborate…
What is Alfalfa?
Alfalfa is a powerhouse herb. It contains a wide variety of minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, potassium, silicon, and trace elements. It is also a good source of Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting. It also contains essential amino acids.
What is Alfalfa used for?
For everyone:
- To reduce cholesterol and blood pressure
- Aids in blood clotting (vitamin k)
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Is helpful in reversing tooth decay and remineralizing teeth
- Supports the pituitary gland
- Helps ease gout
- Aids with all forms of arthritis
- Strengthening the immune system
- Helps alleviate allergies
For pregnant and nursing moms:
- Can increase milk supply
- Helps ease morning sickness
- Great source of Vitamin K (Many midwives advise drinking mild tasting alfalfa tea or taking alfalfa tablets during the last trimester of pregnancy to decrease postpartum bleeding or chance of hemorrhaging)
Is Alfalfa safe to take?
I am very much aware that despite something being natural, it does not always mean it is safe for use by everyone, especially during pregnancy. I’ve researched it and feel comfortable taking alfalfa during my pregnancy and breastfeeding (as long as it does not increase my supply TOO much, since I had oversupply issues last time). In fact, it is often advised to take during late pregnancy for the reasons listed above.
The one caution about alfalfa is not to use in combination with blood thinning agents as it is so effective it can interfere or amplify the effects of these.
Now can we go back and focus on my favorite? EASING ALLERGIES.
Recently spring arrived here in North Carolina. It started a few weeks ago with 70 degree weather. As I was walking with Hailey down the street, I started sneezing. 4 sneezes in a row, followed by that torturous itching throat and eyes that any allergy sufferer knows all too well. With 80 degree weather coming this weekend, those dang little pollen pods falling from the trees and people out cutting grass and pulling weeds, it’s no secret that spring and it’s allergies are officially here.
However, though I’ve felt a tingle of itch here and there, I have yet to be taken down and I am crediting it largely to alfalfa. When I’ve felt the uncomfort and itch start to creep up on me, I’ve taken 4-5 tablets. The serving size is 10 and I know plenty of people that take 10 tablets 3 times each day, but for me, 4-5 before I head outside is doing the trick.
I am loving this alfalfa because I trust how it is sourced. It is grown in California, then tested twice: once at harvest and another once it’s been bottled to ensure it’s purity (no fungicides, bacteriocides, synthetic hormones, growth regulators, or chemicals). Plus, it contains spearmint oil, giving it a great taste if you choose to crush the tablets and turn it into tea.
I’ve never loved spring because of what it’s done to my eyes and throat, but we spent all yesterday afternoon outside with friends and for once I got to focus on the gorgeous weather rather than feeling miserable. Maybe I’m drinking the proverbial (alfalfa) kool-aid, but as long as it’s working for me, I’ll keep it up!
Do you suffer from seasonal allergies?
How do you handle them?
The post Alfalfa, Allergies & Pregnancy appeared first on A Healthy Slice of Life.