The complete guide to Dashmool for Postpartum Recovery.

A major portion of the plant is harvested for its roots.Their roots are the main part of the plant taken for use.

Postpartum care is one use of Dashmool that is most specific and more rooted in ayurvedic practice. The first few weeks after giving birth are an especially critical period in Ayurveda as the body is believed to be depleted during childbirth and must be supported like a racecar on the starting ramp so that it can recover from the event, grow strong, rebalance hormones, and heal. Dashmool is in the middle of a traditional toolbox used during this time, both internally and as massage oil.

This guide explores that particular application of Dashmool in greater depth: what Dashmool is traditionally said to do for postpartum recovery; how it is prepared and used (as a drink and as an oil); a realistic sense of timing; and some safety advice for new mothers.

Why Ayurveda uses Dashmool after childbirth?Why Ayurveda resort to Dashmool after childbirth?

In classical ayurvedic system, childbirth greatly aggravates the movement, dryness and instability dosha known as vata, in the body. The postpartum period is a time when the body is expected to compensate for this rise with warmth, nourishment and grounding assistance, and that's what traditional activities of the Dashmool are thought to do. A single purpose remedy is not the only use of Dashmool, it is used as a wide-spectrum, whole-body support, not only during a physically demanding period, but during a vulnerable period as well.

Hence, the use of Dashmool after childbirth is not always just internal (usually as a decoction or kadha), but also external (massage oil) as the postpartum process is assisted both from within and through the skin.

Dashmool Kadha (Decoction) — The Traditional Internal Preparation: This is the internal preparation prepared with water using the herbs.

Description: It is a strong herbal water extract from ten Dashmool roots, prepared by soaking them for a long time and which is administered to pregnant women and new mothers in the days and weeks after giving birth.

Traditional preparation method: The combined roots are cooked slowly in water (usually for 20-30 minutes or more) until the water is reduced and darkly coloured; then strained and drunk. In a few traditional preparations a little jaggery or ghee is added to make it tasty and to help in the traditional warming, nourishing purpose.

Traditional time for administration: Dashmool kadha is a postpartum supplement that is usually started a few days after giving birth after the acute medical issues are resolved and is administered for a specific time (traditionally for a few weeks) as part of the postpartum recovery process.

Traditional use: It is used to nourish digestive fire (Pitta) that has been weakened following childbirth and to help relieve of any general body ache or discomfort and to tone the uterus down to its normal state before pregnancy.

Dashmool Oil for Postpartum Massage

Besides self-use, post-partum body care is one of the most frequently referred to aspects of traditional postpartum care and is typically done with oil or massage.

Traditional postpartum massage (Abhyanga): The postpartum massage is a regular full-body massage with the use of Dashmool oil, which has warming and grounding properties, stimulating circulation, relieving muscular tension, and balancing vata which is increased after giving birth and causes dryness and instability.

Traditional use: The use of warm Dashmool oil is in the form of a massage which is done by a second person (either family member or a traditional postpartum care provider), focusing on the body specifically to the abdomen, back and joints, which are believed to be the most impacted parts of the body as a result of the physical exertion involved in childbirth.

Timing in relation to delivery: Traditional postpartum massage can start within one to two weeks after delivery, and is performed regularly (daily if necessary) for a few weeks in a recovery period. Timing varies depending on delivery type and the individual's recovery.

A Realistic Postpartum Timeline With Dashmool

Here is a general outline of a traditional pattern:

First few days after delivery: Focus is on getting over it and any required medical treatment; Moxie use, especially the internal moxie, is sometimes introduced when the mother and/or medical staff are at ease doing so.
Traditional postpartum periods: Weeks 1-6, during which Dashmool kadha and oil massage is traditionally used, and follows the Ayurvedic postpartum period as its most critical period.
After 6 weeks: If recovery is good, some families extend some elements of the routine beyond 6 weeks, depending on individual preference and recovery, however the more intensive traditional use is during this earlier timeframe.

It's a traditional rather than a medical timeline: recovery times differ from person to person, delivery to delivery and with any complications, it always helps to be supported by your midwife/doctor all the way through.

New Mother Important Safety Information

Always seek the advice of your midwife or doctor first. Your recovery after giving birth, particularly after a caesarean section, complicated delivery or medical condition, should be managed primarily by your medical team and Dashmool is a traditional supplement to this process and not a replacement.
Check with your medical team, particularly after the C-section. In particular, abdominal massage requires an “ok” from your doctor/midwife based on surgical recovery factors.
Any bleeding that is heavy or getting worse, fever, signs of infection, severe pain, anything that feels concerning and more than a Dashmool or home remedy, should be addressed with the healthcare provider immediately.
Breastfeeding consideration: If breastfeeding, inform your healthcare provider or midwife about the use of herbal medicines, as usual herbs used after childbirth are thought of with breastfeeding in mind, but it is still important to be aware of any herbal medicine you may be using or planned to use.
An Ayurvedic expert plays a role here. Since conventional postpartum Ayurvedic care is very specific and structured, using a good practitioner in conjunction with your medical team is likely to lead to a more individualized regimen than following an "online" one without a practitioner's guidance.

What to look for when purchasing Dashmool to use during postpartum.

Confirmed that the product is a complete formulation of ten roots, and not a partial formulation.
Correct form for your intended use: If you are using the oil for massage then buy Dashmool oil specifically, or if you're using it for making a traditional herbal decoction then buy Dashmool powder/pieces for this purpose.
Purity and testing: opt for brands that test for impurities and ensure that there are no unnecessary fillers.
Transparency in sourcing: Trustworthy brands will clearly list the varieties of roots and their botanical names.

Here you can browse a quality tested example: Shop Dashmool at Wow Herbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon after giving birth can I start using Dashmool? This will depend on your personal recovery and delivery and should be verified with your midwife or doctor first! Traditional practice involves the use of Dashmool kadha in the initial few days and postpartum oil massage in the first one to two weeks following delivery, although this varies and medical clearance is always given first, especially after cesarean section.

Can you take Dashmool if you are breastfeeding? In Ayurveda, there is a long traditional usage of dashmool specially during postpartum and lactation stage. Nevertheless, it is wise to always tell your doctor or midwife about any type of herbals you are taking while nursing.

May I give myself an oil massage or must it be done by another person? This is the traditional postpartum Abhyanga massage, as it is challenging for a mother to massage herself, and also because the tradition involves it being a task done for the mother, as opposed to something she would have to do for herself.

If I had a caesarean section, would I be able to use Dashmool? Internal use (kadha) is perhaps easier to introduce with medical guidance but abdominal massage requires clearance from your surgical team because of wound healing. Before starting oil massage post c-section, always check with your doctor and/or midwife regarding any timing or restriction.

Conclusion

The postpartum use is one of the most systematic, specific and long-established Ayurvedic postpartum recovery protocols, involving internal decoction and therapeutic massage with oil to assist new mamas in this glorious postpartum recovery period. If used wisely, along with the guidance of your midwife or doctor, and preferably with the help of a qualified ayurvedic practitioner, it is one of the most commonly remembered traditional postpartum care practices that continue to be used today. For more information please visit Dashmool at Wow Herbs.

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Table of Contents: Dashmool Benefits — What is Dashmool Good For? | Herbal Oil for Joint Pain — Wow Ortho Oil Benefits

Disclaimer: This is for information only. It is not a replacement for medical and midwifery expert advice. Be careful when starting any postpartum herbal routine and always ask midwife or doctor before starting it after a C-section or complicated delivery and watch for excessive bleeding, fever, signs of infection or severe pain and seek immediate medical attention.