Post-Partum Kidney Recovery with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Postpartum is the period after childbirth. During this period, the mother’s body becomes vulnerable to many infections. There are certain types of bacterial infections that affect your kidneys. Kidneys are one of the important organs in our body. It controls hormones, sodium-potassium balance and waste within our body.

It also governs other vital organs including lungs, spleen and liver. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), kidney is the “congenital foundation” of the body and stores “pre-natal Qi” inherited from your parents. This vital organ of our body weakens during pregnancy and labor period. A weak kidney leads to hormone imbalance, low breast milk production and poor appetite. Therefore, it becomes essential for new mothers to nourish and strengthen their kidney post childbirth.

TCM Confinement for Kidney Recovery

Practiced for centuries in Chinese culture, TCM confinement is the best way for detoxification of kidney through resting, cleaning and nourishing the body post pregnancy.

·         Cleaning the Kidneys

In TCM, a new mother is given selected Chinese herbs for confinement in order to cleanse the kidney. Flushing out the toxic build-up from kidney is termed as kidney cleansing. Chinese herbs help in flushing the toxins in a natural way and enable your vital organ to function better and prevent post pregnancy infections.

·         Nourishing the Kidneys

In TCM, ‘black colored’ foods are beneficial in nourishing the kidney system. Foods such as black beans, black dates, black sugar, black sesame seed, and black glutinous rice will promote kidney function, thereby reducing chances of infection during postpartum period.

According to TCM, kidney is the root of yin and yang of the entire body. It is essential for new mothers to understand how Chinese herbs for confinement, healthy foods and lifestyle habits can be employed to increase Qi of kidney and their faster recovery post childbirth.

Beware! Debunking 3 Myths about Confinement of New Mothers

Confinement - in Chinese culture - is an important period in the life of a woman who has just given birth to a child. The confinement period, also known as ‘sitting the month,’ often lasts 30 to 45 days for women to recuperate energy after the childbirth.

Women are put on complete bed rest, and are advised to take specially prepared meals and Chinese herbs for confinement. Check out these 3 myths surrounding confinements.

Myth 1: Drinking plain water is not allowed in confinement

Fact: There is no harm in drinking plain water; the only exception is that the water should be warm. Fluid consumption is recommended after childbirth when mothers breastfeed their babies.
Consumption of plain water during first few weeks after childbirth can help in clearing the excess fluid that accumulates in kidney during the course of pregnancy.

Myth 2: New mothers must consume plenty of herbal supplements
Fact:  Chinese herbs forconfinement consists of heating ingredients such as dong qui, ginseng, old ginger, sesame oil, black vinegar, etc., which nourish the body as well as help it heal quickly. However, consumption of plenty of Chinese herbs cannot be recommended to all new mothers as woman every woman’s health profile is different.
It is better you consult a qualified TCM confinement physician who will systematically introduce the tonics needed by the new mother, week by week.

Myth 3: Taking a bath or shower is not allowed

Fact: People believe that taking a bath will result in joint pain in new mothers as wind gets to infiltrate the body. However, the fact is that there is no issue in continuing your bath routine as long as you follow certain bathing practices.
There are special Chinese herbs for confinement used in herbal bath. Herbs such as Artemesia Argyi, Eucommia Ulmoides, Ledebouriella Divaricata, etc. are used in hot water herbal bath to aid in blood circulation in new mums. Do consult your TCM confinement physician before using Chinese herbs in herbal bath.

Certain confinement practices are good for the health of new mothers, but do avoid these myths and consider the facts to better help the mother restore her balance & return to full health.