Herbs for fertility – increase your chances of getting pregnant
Herbs have been used for generations as natural cures to protect health and treat ailments. In both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as well as other holistic and alternative therapies, herbs are also utilized to enhance fertility, such as to boost or balance the hormone production in women. Below are some examples of the common herbs for fertility, including some Chinese herbs for fertility.
Note that this information is mainly for your knowledge, and that you should consult your TCM practitioner or an herbal specialist before consuming any herbs. Only your TCM practitioner or herbal specialist is able to prescribe the appropriate type and dosage of herbs to treat your condition. You shouldn’t simply take herbs before knowing that it is safe for you, as certain herbs that boost fertility may also cause miscarriage if you are already pregnant.
Click here to know more about herbs for fertility, how Chinese herbs can help to treat your infertility and increase your chances of getting conceived!
Herbs for fertility – tonic herbs for female
Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus castus)
This herb has been used for thousands of years in the Europe and is the most well researched Western herb associated with female hormone regulation. It’s considered to be one of the herbs for fertility because it confers the benefits of:
• Regulating hormonal imbalance, particularly helpful in women who have no periods, irregular periods, or long cycles.
• Soothing premenstrual tension
• Enhancing female fertility
Chaste tree berry may also be helpful in polycystic ovarian syndrome.
This herb should be used under your healthcare provider’s supervision, and shouldn’t be taken if you are pregnant or undergoing IVF.
Black cohosh
The roots of black cohosh have been used medicinally by Native Americans for hundreds of years. It has been used to treat gynecological problems and other disorders. Nowadays, black cohosh is used as a dietary supplement to alleviate menopausal symptoms and premenstrual syndrome.
Black cohosh is thought to have an estrogenic effect and stimulate the ovaries, therefore it may be helpful in cases where the infertility problem results from hormonal imbalances. It is also thought to strengthen the uterus.
This herb shouldn’t be used if there’s a slightest chance that you may be pregnant.
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)
Known as the ‘female ginseng’, Dong Quai is an excellent tonic for female reproductive system because it is believed to have the effect of toning the uterus and regulating the hormonal system.
It is the most widely used traditional Chinese herbs for maintaining women’s health and to treat gynecological ailments. Dong Quai is helpful in relieving menopausal symptoms and painful menstrual cramping, too.
However, this herb is not recommended during pregnancy due to possible anti-coagulant properties.
Evening primrose
This herb is traditionally well-known to relieve breast pain and menstrual pains. Evening primrose oil is rich in linoleic acid and gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), which can be converted in the body to prostaglandin E1 that has anti-inflammatory property.
Evening primrose oil is considered as one of the herbs for fertility because it may help in the production of quality or fertile cervical mucus, allowing the sperm to swim more easily through to the uterus and the egg. If your cervical mucus is thick or if you lack cervical mucus, you may consider using evening primrose oil.
You need to be careful when using evening primrose oil though, as it can increase the risk for complications when taken during pregnancy.