To Promote Birth

Western Tradition

Simples

To Prepare for Birth
The following can be taken 2–4 weeks before the due date to prepare for Birth:

1. Slice Pippins (Green Apples) thin and fry in Almond oil. Eat twice daily for 5 or 6 weeks before the due date.
2. Raspberry leaf tea can be taken daily in the last month, adding a teaspoon of Honey.
3. Cinnamon and Licorice powder taken daily for 2 weeks before the due date prepares for Birth.
4. Hyssop, Vervain, Betony (1 handful each), boil in stale Ale (or water) and take once or twice daily. (Dr. Chamberlain’s Midwives Practice, 1665)
5. Annoint the vagina with oils of Sweet Almond, Dill or Camomile.

To Promote Birth
1. Betony decocted in water with Honey, or else the powder taken in water quickens delivery and eases pain.
2. Date kernel powder with Wine relieves pain of labor
3. Powder of Date stones with Betony. (Natura exenterata, Philiatros, 1655)
4. Date stone with half a Nutmeg in powder, taken with wine. (Natura exenterata, Philiatros, 1655)
5. Vervain juice taken in red wine for easy delivery.
6. Maidenhair taken in wine causes speedy delivery.
7. One dram of Myrrh drunk with Warm wine causes quick delivery. (Culpeper)
8. “The juice of Leeks being drunk with warm water hath great efficacy to procure speedy delivery”, (Dr. Chamberlain’s Midwives Practice, 1665)
9. Juniper leaves taken with water and Honey.
10. Mugwort decocted in water and applied as a plaster to the Navel and thighs
11. Polypody beaten and applied to the feet of a woman lin labor “causes the Birth of the Child instantly” (Culpeper)
12. “put Birthwort on a piece of wool and put it in her vagina, she will deliver on the spot”. (Rhazes)

13. The Milk of another woman causes speedy delivery.
14. Dried Bull Bile: ‘It is a Secret, worth ten times its weight in Gold. If ½–1 dram be given in a glass of Wine, it hastens not only the Birth, but facilitates the Labor to admiration’. (Salmon, Seplasium, 1693)
15. Cut a Rabbit liver into pieces, dry in an oven, then add 1 oz. each of powdered Ginger, Clove and Sugar. Mix well and give half ounce as a dose. (Albertus)
16. Amber, half a dram in powder taken with a suitable decoction, or white wine.
17. “she should hold a magnet in her left hand, for this works wonders”. (Rhazes)
18. Parsley juice, Leek juice
Mix with a little Oil and take. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
19. Cinnamon, Myrrh ½ dram ea.
Powder and take with wine
20. Fresh Marjoram, Fresh Hyssop. 3 handfuls ea.
Express the juice, strain and give 3 ounces warm, fasting afterwards “and she shall be delivered” .(The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
21. Hyssop, Vervain, Betony equal parts
Decoct and take to promote quick and easy delivery.
22. Calamint, Sage, Rosemary 1 handful each, White Wine 6 pounds
Boil gently until one-quarter has wasted. Use to wash the legs once daily when the time is near. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
23. Difficult Childbirth.
  Fumigate with Myrrh, and take some Asafetida powder with Wine or warm water.

Pain During Labor
Sweet Almond Oil 2 oz., Cinnamon water 1 oz. Mix and take.

A Remedy only used in Urgent Cases, or when the Fetus is Dead:
    Savin juice 2 oz.
    Borax 1 dram
    White Wine 1 oz.
A small amount can be taken regularly until the desired result is achieved. Note if modern (purified) Borax was used, a maximum of 2 grams should be used. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)

Weakness during or after Labor:
Take Letificans, Manus Christ or Cooling Pearl Powder in broth.

If she becomes weak or faint, give her:
1. Yolk of poached Eggs or Boiled Eggs can be taken during labor to increase strength
2. Warm Broth such as Chicken Broth
3. Cinnamon Water, 1 oz.
4. Confectio Alkermes, 1 dram

Partum facilitant–Facilitate Birth
Potion for Difficult Labor
Decoction of Marshmallow
Decoction for Difficult Childbirth (Barbette)
Birth Powder
Diacalaminthe Compound
Powder to Facilitate Birth (Renodeus)
Powder to Promote Birth (Alexander)
Powder of Crabs Claw (Countess of Kents Powder)
Troches of Myrrh
Tincture of Saffron
Tincture of Musk
Triphera Minor (Triphera Phoenonis) (Mesue)

Flying Squirrel 3 (Bya sha gsum sbyor)
Pacific 6 (Zhi byed drug pa) (Tibetan)
Pacific 11 (Zhi byed bcu gcig) (Tibetan)
Paraquilegia 6 (Mde’u ‘byin drug pa) (Tibetan)