The Nursing Mother’s Herbal
The Nursing Mother’s Herbal
Written by Sheila Humphrey, RN, IBCLC, and LLL Leader, this is a comprehensive and wellresearched
book about herbal use during breastfeeding and one that completely supports
breastfeeding. The use of herbs and natural remedies during lactation dates back to the earliest
breastfeeding mothers and many families now turn to natural remedies before allopathic
medicine to maintain good health and prevent illness, taking a proactive stance rather than a
reactive “ambulance at the bottom of the cliff” stance. Sheila’s grandmother was a “plant person
whose medicine didn’t include anything from a doctor” as were her parents and Sheila also
married a botanist so using plants to maintain health is a way of life that is intrinsic to her.
The Nursing Mother’s Herbal integrates information about ways that herbs and natural remedies
can benefit or could possibly harm the breastfeeding dyad with practical breastfeeding solutions.
It is a very easy-to-read book and is written in a warm, reassuring manner with its primary
emphasis on the value, benefits and process of breastfeeding. The author’s extensive experience
in lactation support is clearly reflected in the breastfeeding information presented in the book, to
the benefit of mothers, Leaders or health professionals. The reader is consistently urged to seek
the help of an LLL Leader as her primary resource or is referred to LLL resources.
The Nursing Mother’s Herbal’s comprehensive information about the use of hundreds of herbs
and natural remedies during breastfeeding is also highly accurate, bringing together the wisdom of
the herbalists and the knowledge of the scientists. The book includes an extensive table of plant
safety, listing several hundred herbs, a discussion of herbal products, explanations of alternative
healing options, as well as herbal resources and websites. Sheila Humphrey has included just
about everything you would want to know about this subject. She has also included information
on specific herbal remedies for various situations and always the information is presented in a
conservative and safe manner, with clear reminders that the book is not a substitute for medical
attention.
Original review, printed in Aroha Volume 14 Number 2
The Nursing Mother’s Herbal
By Sheila Humphrey
Fairview Press, USA, 2003
Reviewed by Trudy Hart (LLL Leader and Homeobotanical Therapist)