According to Susun Weed's "Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year",
1986, nettle leaves contain nearly every known vitamin and mineral known to
be necessary for human health and growth, iron being one mineral that is
abundant in nettle leaves.  The leaves are a deep green color and contains
more chlorophyll than any other herb.  According to Weed, it is safe for
use during pregnancy and lactation.  Uses for nettle include:

1.  Easing leg cramps and other muscle spasms and diminishing pain during
labor and after birth as it is high in calcium.
2.  Preventing hemorrhage after birth as it is high in Vitamin K and iron.


She recommends an Anemia Prevention Brew which contains three excellent
sources of iron-nettle, parsley, and yellow dock.  The parsley provides
folic acid and the comfrey provides vitamin B12.  The leaves all contribute
Vitamin C which aids iron absorption.  The mint makes it tasty.

It is made from 1/2 dried ounce each

nettle leaves
parsley leaves
Comfrey leaves
Yellow Dock root
Peppermint leaves

Measure the herbs and put them into a glass half-gallon juice jar.  (So I'm
not drinking the leaves, I put them into an organic coffee filter and
staple it shut.) Pour boiling water in until the jar is totally full and
cover tightly.  Steep for at least eight hours.  Drink freely up to four
cups a day for one week each month.

Except for the yellow dock, I have all of these ingredients either growing
in my garden or on the native tall grass prairie we own adjacent to our
home.  I get the yellow dock at our local organic grocery store for
$7.00/pound, which lasts quite a while.  I have a book called "Native Weeds
in Kansas" as well as my husband to help me identify what's what.

It's an option for pregnant ladies like me who have sour stomachs
throughout the day and the thought of taking prenatal vitamin with an
orange juice chaser makes me gag!  I also know that what's going in my body
is organically grown, which is important to me.  I was also sure to discuss
it with my obstetrician before hand and she had no problem with it.

I ordered Susun Weed's book from the  Moonflower Natural Product Catalog
for $9.95. Their number is 1-800-443-9942.

Hope this helps,

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Birth and Breastfeeding Resources  http://www.childbirth.org/bbfr
Manhattan, KS  USA
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