Herbal remedies

[Hothead]

Ok, so having read endless threads on how herbal remedies can 'assist' with the birth and afterwards I have a full stock of herbal supplies and now I am not sure what I am supposed to do with some of them.......

Raspberry tea leaf tablets - at over 36 weeks should I be taking these regularly now?

Almond oil - I bought this for perinieal massage, but when do I start this and do I really have to do it for 15 minutes every day?? (and what on earth do I actually do?)

Arnica - I have tablets and cream for post-birth, but I read somewhere not to apply arnica directly to cuts, so what is the point of the cream then?

Lavendar oil - bought this for its relaxing properties, but what am I supposed to actually do with it?

I guess I should have been taking notes for 9 months, as I am suffering severe information overload and am in danger of having spent a fortune in the Holland and Barrett without actually getting a chance to use my purchases!

Help!

Red rsapberry leaf - a uterine tonic, helps to strengthen uterus and aid contractions, yes you can be taking them now, check dosage on bottle.

Almond oil - basically rub it on your fanjo! Supposed to make skin suppler and less likely to tear. You are supposed to concentrate on gently stretching the perineum i.e the bit of skin 'twixt vagina and anus. I don't think actual technique matters, you need to be gentle but not too gentle, some people say you should aim for a light tingling sensation akin to the one you get if you put your fingers in the corners of your mouth and pull! I always found it too bloomin' difficult to reach my perineum personally. Some books suggest asking your partner to do it, but mine looked at me askance when I suggested he might like to help me stretch my fanjo.

Lavender oil - assuming you like the smell, add a few drops to bath water, or on a wet wash cloth and inhale for stress/anxiety, is calming/soothing. Or for massage. Be aware that labour makes you more sensitive to smell and strong odours can make you feel sick so experiment beforehand. Don't use neat, must be added to a carrier oil (the almond oil would do)

Arnica - for general brusing/swelling of lady parts or to aid healing if cesarean. Best to take tablets, cream is really meant for bruising, I guess would be okay to use on external fanjo area if no actual abrasians/tearing.

Good luck!

Thanks - that is a real help - will get to work on fanjo area with almond oil this evening, and start on the raspberry tea leaf right away........

link with good description of perineal massage