Sponsored by Christopher Websites, The School of Natural Healing & Christopher Publications

Herbs have been used throughout history and are trusted to be safe and effective.  Even during pregnancy when most pharmaceuticals are off limits, most herbs have a safe track record.

There is, however, a rule that should be followed when using herbs during pregnancy: "Take only what is necessary when it is needed."   This means to avoid herbs that have a specific action unless otherwise directed.  Herbs that are nutritive or tonic are always indicated during pregnancy.

Herbs to avoid during pregnancy:

• Emmenagogue herbs (these herbs induce monthly menstruation - see pg. 657 of Dr. Christopher's book School of Natural Healing)
• Heavy cathartic herbs (stimulate strong bowel action pg. 650 SNH)
• Stimulating herbs such as coffee
• Hallucinogenic herbs
• Anti-parasitic herbs
• Abortives such as rue, tansy, cotton root bark, or thuja
• Any Standardized extract (these are really drugs)

Herbs used only under special circumstances (in small amounts if at all)

• Pennyroyal (used in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy only)
• False Unicorn (used in case of miscarriage only)
• Blue Cohosh (used to increase uterine contraction just before birth)
• Dong Quai (considered too strong to use for pregnancy in most cases)
• Black Cohosh (used in the last part of pregnancy to help with cramps)
• Male Fern (anti-parasite herb not to be used in large amounts)
• Poke Root (used as a cleanser especially the lymph - too strong for causal use)
• Wormwood and any artemisia species (anti-worm use only when needed)
• Licorice (use in small amounts - no more than 2 capsules 3 times per day)
• Ephedra (use in small amounts only - never use standardized)
• Dr. Christopher's Pre-natal combination (used in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy only)
• False Unicorn and Lobelia combination (used in case of miscarriage)   
• Vitex (considered very strong for pregnancy)

Most herbs are safe; here is a list of herbs that can be taken during pregnancy in tonic amounts:

• Red Raspberry (should be taken often)
• Alfalfa
• Ginger
• Evening Primrose
• Chamomile
• Cayenne
• Echinacea
• All Dr. Christopher Combinations not mentioned above
• Cramp bark
• Dandelion
• Vitalerbs (use in copious amounts)
• Dr. Christopher's Pregnancy tea
• Goldenseal
• Catnip

(http://drbenkim.com/)

If pecan pie is on your mind, you and your guests will love this raw and healthy version.

While this recipe calls for only healthy ingredients, it produces a super-rich and sweet pecan pie that is best served in small portions. Rather than serve this pie in traditional triangular portions, I recommend that you use a good knife to divide the pie into 2-inch squares. One or two squares are enough to satisfy the fiercest of dessert addicts among your family and guests.

Ingredients:

·         2 cups almonds (raw, if available), soaked for one hour, drained, dried

·         3 dozen pitted dates, soaked for one hour, drained (save water)

·         1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice

·         1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·         1/4 teaspoon sea salt

·         1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

·         2 cups raw pecans, soaked for one hour, drained, dried

·         Extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

1.      Put almonds and 10 dates in a food processor and blend until they come together into a crust-like consistency. Add a small amount of water (saved from soaking the dates) if necessary to aid in bringing almonds and dates together.

2.      Grease a pie plate or 9-inch square baking pan with a light coat of extra-virgin olive oil - this will help prevent the pie from sticking to the plate.

3.      Use a spatula or the underside of a spoon to press the almond-date crust into the bottom of the plate or pan. Be sure to spread it up the sides of the plate or pan to form a full pie crust. Put the finished crust in the freezer until you are ready to fill it.

4.      Combine the remaining dates, fresh lemon or lime juice, cinnamon, sea salt, and vanilla in a food processor and blend until the mixture takes on a smooth, homogenized consistency. Use a small amount of water (left over from soaking dates) if necessary.

5.      Spread the date filling evenly over the almond-date crust.

6.      Arrange raw pecans on top of date filling and press down lightly to help keep the pecans in place.

Enjoy this raw and healthy pecan pie!

Remember that you can always hear the most recent show of David and Fawn Christopher's popular radio show, A Healthier You, for free at http://www.ahealthieryouradio.com/recent_show.html

Have you taken advantage of your free trial membership to A Healthier You Radio yet?  As an Herbal Legacy newsletter subscriber you get unlimited access to the site and the archives of A Healthier You for two weeks for free!  You don't even have to give your credit card number for this trial.  To start your free trial visit: