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.