Chai Mama: lactation support that's a pleasure to drink
Hey, Mamas! We’re highlighting Chai Mama, our warming lactation support chai. This tea was created by a nursing mother (me!), for nursing mothers— and in collaboration with the amazing midwives at Hearth & Home Midwifery.
We combined well known galactagogues, Fenugreek and Ginger with Alfalfa and warming chai spices for delicious lactation support. Choose from either loose leaf (the ritual is part of treating yourself) or powder (ready in a flash, just add hot water).
From Sarah & Charli, at Hearth & Home Midwifery:
Chai Mama is a blend of organic herbs designed to support lactation and recovery in the postpartum period. If you are on any medications or have any ongoing health issues, please consult with your midwife or doctor before using any of these herbs.
Here’s a list, in order, of what the herbs bring to the blend:
1. Ginger (Zingiber officianale). Ginger is a well-loved galactagogue, or herb that is known to increase milk supply. It’s a warming herb that increases circulation in the body (if you’ve ever had a spicy ginger dish, you know it made your face red and your pulse quicken!) Ginger also increases immunity, lowers stress, and reduces inflammation. It’s a gentle but multifaceted herb for the breastfeeding period.
2. Cinnamon (Cinnamon zeylanicum). Cinnamon may help to increase the flow of the milk. It is also full of antioxidants, it’s anti-inflammatory, and it helps control blood sugar and hormone circulation in the body.
3. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), the most celebrated and popular of all the galactoguges. In a number of double-blind studies, fenugreek has been shown to increase milk supply in people without contraindications to the herb.
4. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) contains a number of phyto-estrogens, or plant-based structures that resemble estrogens, and has long been used to support healthy milk production.
5. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a sweet, gentle, delicious herb designed to bring a pleasant sensation to drinking your cup of tea. After all, this is your moment to enjoy
6. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Delicious and nourishing, this herb helps blend Chai Mama into something sweet and satisfying to treat yourself to.
7. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum). Say that three times fast! This is a chai, after all, and what would chai be without clove?
Everyone is different, and so herbs work differently on each individual body. Herbal medicine requires daily use over a dedicated period in order to create change in the body, so treat yourself to a cup of Chai Mama each morning throughout your postpartum period and see the way your milk and breastfeeding relationship benefits. Happy breastfeeding, mamas!
~ Sarah & Charli
The Hearth & Home midwives