Herbalism and midwifery

Susun Weed's book, wise woman herbal for the childbearing years. I use herbs for myself for adrenal support and also for pregnancy and thereafter.

No probs at all.

hi this may not be everyones cup of tea but some wiccan books have a good history of herbs and how they was used by the midwive in times gone by. eg how they adminstered the correct dosage for contraception, abortion etc etc.
as a midwife hundreds of years ago herbilism would have been a skill all midwives pocessed. although this skill has now died out in the duties of a midwife it is still a very interesting subject.

Wisewoman how wonderful to know that there are those who look into wiccan and the benefits of herbalism. I think our own motherconfessor will be cheering too. It has been around a heck of a lot longer than modern medicine. Mother Nature has so much to give and, used properly, it can have major benefits. Like Tall Poppy Aloe Vera has a very important role in our home for the treatment of minor burns and irritations. It is great, you just snap a leaf off the plant and apply the liquid it releases to the effected area. I believe it is time to look into the natural remedies again and take away the kookiness. They served our ancestors well and, given the chance, they will allow their properties to admnister to us. xxxxxxxxxx

hi goddessmomma although i would not say i am a practising pagan or wiccan i do enjoy the history of the subject. i find it amazing that at one point midwives and "doctors" would have only had to use a herb to treat any ailment, i think that it should be practised much more now a days but it requires a hell of a lot of skill that we do not pocess or know now. its amazing to think that a dosage of some herb would have aborted a baby or that a dosage of something else would have eased the pain of labour. there is alot more in wiccan history about midwives eg that midwives not only attended the women during birth but that there would have been a midwive at death to help guide the soul through. there was rituals and blessings at births to that the midwive would have said, its a very interesting subject glad to know that others are interested in it as well!!!

Wisewoman you've got me wondering now. I'm a christian but have several wiccan friends (makes for interesting convos lol) and so I know a little about the religion. When she found out about me applying to do midwifery my great aunt told me that both her mother and grandmother ( my maternal great grandmother and great great grandmother) would be called on to attend births and deaths. She also suggested that it went back further in the family history but could not be sure (she is 98!). Maybe midwifery is in my blood....

hello! ive not been on for a while! i moved and my mum had a little baba!

muma of 3 how wonderful that midwifery runs through your veins! it definately sounds to me as though this career was meant for you!
yes midwifes where there for people who died as well, but none of this happens anymore. Birth centres are starting to use accupunture and herbs and other alternative medicines which is a positive thing, we are going back to the good old days although they are still not seen in a positive light and alternative medicines.therapy are often said not to work by proffessionals!