Susan Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year is a slim book packed with wisdom. The book has information for women from the pre-conception period straight through pregnancy and into the early months with a newborn. The book is filled with lovely line drawings and clear explanations of the topics covered.
The Childbearing Year herbal has remedies listed for almost every pregnancy complaint that women deal with. Weed's approach is most definitely preventative. Most of the sections begin with how to prevent the complaints and problems from occurring in the first place.
Weed is a strong believer in the herbal tonic, or the remedy taken regularly, such as red raspberry leaf tea. This is consistent with the view of many midwives all over the world (and Weed points out all the wise women who trust this advice.) She suggests many tonics and/or tonic variations that can help sustain health. She recommends using fresh herbs as often as possible to get all the nutrients available in the plant.
There is an extensive section in the back of the book dealing with preparation techniques. I greatly appreciated this. It makes it clear exactly what Weed means by the terms that she uses. Anyone choosing to prepare their own herbal tonics or remedies will find it useful.
Weed often refers to the wise women - midwives - around the world that she has gleaned her information from. She also talks about thanking plants for their contributions and other things some readers may find "new-agey." However, this in not prominent throughout the book.
This light volume will stay on bookshelves beyond pregnancy and the early months with baby. Many of the remedies will be helpful with an older baby and for common ailments throughout life. Any woman interested in natural care for herself during pregnancy will appreciate this book.
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