What Are the Best Confinement Herbs for Postpartum Recovery?

Confinement herbs are traditional herbal blends that help mothers recover faster, improve blood circulation, and restore energy after childbirth.

Welcoming a newborn is a beautiful and transformative experience—but it also brings physical and emotional challenges. After childbirth, your body needs more than just rest; it needs deep nourishment and gentle care.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), confinement herbs are used to support a mother’s full recovery by helping to rebuild energy, replenish blood, support digestion, and calm the mind. These time-honoured remedies are chosen for their ability to restore balance gently, without harsh stimulation.

Many of these powerful herbs are featured in SOUPER GOODNESS Confinement Soups and Teas — thoughtfully crafted to nourish mothers during the postpartum journey.

Below are seven of the most valued Chinese herbs for postpartum recovery:

1. Red Dates – Energy and Blood Replenisher

Red dates strengthen the spleen, nourish blood, and promote overall energy. They are considered a cornerstone herb in postpartum care, helping mothers rebuild vitality after childbirth. Red dates are a core ingredient in our SOUPER GOODNESS Dangshen Red Date Tea and Mummy Lactation Tea, gently supporting energy levels during the first weeks after birth.

2. Wolfberries – Vitality Booster

Wolfberries support liver and kidney health, improve vitality, and enhance immunity. They are also believed to brighten the eyes, support long-term wellness, and help new mums regain strength naturally.

3. Codonopsis (Dangshen) – Gentle Qi Tonic

Codonopsis is a renowned qi tonic that enhances stamina, supports digestion, and gently encourages milk supply for breastfeeding mothers. As a milder alternative to ginseng, it restores energy without overstimulation. Codonopsis is a key herb in SOUPER GOODNESS Dangshen Red Date Tea, helping mothers restore energy and resilience.

4. Dried Longan – Mind and Heart Nourishment

Longan nourishes the heart and spleen, calms the mind, and promotes restful sleep. This herb is especially valued for easing anxiety or restlessness in the postpartum period.

5. Rice Paper Pith (Tong Cao) – Gentle Fluid Regulator

Rice paper pith promotes urination, reduces water retention, and gently supports lactation by unblocking milk ducts. It is often combined with other herbs in postpartum teas to balance body fluids and encourage smooth breastfeeding. Tong Cao features in SOUPER GOODNESS Mummy Lactation Tea, supporting mothers through early feeding challenges.

6. Dried Figs – Digestive and Lung Support

Dried figs are naturally sweet and soothing. In TCM, they help moisten the lungs, ease sore throats, and support smooth digestion. This makes them ideal for postpartum mothers who need gentle nourishment to rebuild strength. They are included in some of our soups and teas to round out both taste and wellness.

7. Chinese Angelica Root (Dang Gui) – Blood Nourisher

Often called the “female ginseng,” Dang Gui is one of the most important herbs for women’s health. It nourishes and invigorates the blood, regulates menstruation, and helps replenish what is lost during childbirth. Dang Gui is traditionally included in many postpartum soups and teas for its restorative properties.

Together, these seven herbs form the foundation of many traditional postpartum blends. Our SOUPER GOODNESS Confinement soups and teas thoughtfully combine several of these ingredients to help new mothers recover with balance, comfort, and strength.