Postpartum massage helps a woman in more ways than one. The benefits of massage include hormone regulation, swelling reduction, improved sleep and improved breastfeeding.1 Poor sleep quality during the postpartum period can lead to postpartum depression. Massage has been found to have a considerable impact on maternal sleep quality in the postpartum period.2 Back massage during the postpartum period has been found to significantly reduce the levels of noradrenalin and increase the levels of oxytocin and prolactin. Therefore, back massage in the postpartum period was noted to increase mother’s milk.3

Several herbs are known for their soothing effects on the body in the form of massage oils. One such oil is Country mallow, or Sida cordifolia (linn). It contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Country mallow is a tonic, astringent, emollient, and aphrodisiac. It increases pain tolerance, and has an anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant effect. It can also relieve anxiety. Sida cordifolia oils are used topically to relieve sore muscles and sore joints. The plant also has antimicrobial activity and is an adaptogen.4 Medicated oil of Sida cordifolia is massaged to relieve pain and swelling. It has been described in Ayurvedic literature as having rejuvenating effect on muscle tissue.4

Sida cordifolia can thus serve as an effective component of massage oil to relieve pain, soreness and swelling during the postpartum period.

References

1. Available from: http://americanpregnancy.org/first-year-of-life/postpartum-massage/. Accessed on April 26, 2018.
2. Owais S, Chow CHT, Furtado M, et al. Non-pharmacological interventions for improving postpartum maternal sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews 2018 Jan 31.
3. Kosova F, Demirtaş Z, Çalım S, Sapmaz L. The Effect on Lactation of Back Massage Performed in the Early Postpartum Period. J Basic Appl Res. 2016;2(2):113-8.
4. Jain A, Choubey A, Singour PK, et al. Sida cordifolia (Linn) – An overview. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 2011;1(2):23-31.