Fertility Herbs

If you and your partner are having difficulty getting pregnant, you may have already begun to look into possible fertility treatments. And if you've seen how many options there are to choose from, you may feel a bit overwhelmed! While common fertility treatments like IUI and IVF are highly effective when it comes to increasing your chances of conception, they are also very expensive and can cause a number of physical and emotional side effects. For these reasons, more and more couples in the United States are putting their hopes into herbal remedies.

An herbal remedy is a type of alternative medicine that originates from plants and plant extracts. These natural remedies have been used for centuries and were the precursor to modern medicine. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 25 percent of all prescription drugs are still derived from trees, shrubs or herbs. Used to heal everything from diseases to psychological disorders, herbal medicine has also been said to work wonders in treating both male and female infertility.

Herbs and Fertility

Evidence of the use of herbal remedies to treat problems with fertility dates all the way back to 200 A.D. Despite their ongoing popularity in China and the Far East, the United States has been reluctant to endorse the use of herbs for infertility treatments because of a lack of scientific proof that they are effective. As more and more clinical data appears,

However, herbal fertility remedies are steadily becoming more popular in the U.S. Fertility-promoting herbs have long been believed to have a positive effect on both female and male reproductive organs, hormonal systems and sex drive. More specifically, fertility herbs can address hormonal imbalance, irregular menstruation, erectile dysfunction and sperm motility problems.

A recent study at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom found that herbal remedies and non-traditional supplements could greatly increase a couple's chances of conceiving. Data shows that couples who were given vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies had an 80 percent conception rate compared to a 20 percent conception rate among those who did not receive the supplements.

There are more than 150 herbs used in the treatment of infertility. Some of them contain organic compounds that look very much like the natural hormones found in our bodies. Many of them are so similar in structure that, when taken, they can actually trigger your body to fill a void or correct a problem.

Fertility herbs have shown to work best in women who have hormonal imbalances or irregular periods, and men who have low sperm counts or infertility issues with unknown causes. Herbal fertility remedies can help establish normal hormonal functioning, nourish and tone your uterus, reduce your stress level, relax your nervous system and balance sexual desire.

Herbal remedies can be taken in several different forms, including capsules, tablets, teas and powdered infusions. Most good herbal brands come with a recommended dosage that usually involves taking the herb three times a day for several months to keep consistent concentrations of it in your bloodstream. It may be difficult at first to incorporate an herbal regimen into your daily routine, but once you get used to it, it isn't much more complicated than using oral contraceptives. Which herbs are used to promote fertility? Herbal remedies can be made from roots, leaves, bark, fruits and flowers. Herbs that promote fertility act as hormone-like compounds that can trigger multiple receptor sites throughout the body.

The following are some of the most popular fertility-promoting herbs:

• Chaste Tree Berry - Chaste tree berry, also known as Vitex, may take several months to build up in your system, but once it does, it can have a profound effect on your ability to conceive. Used by the Greeks for centuries, chaste tree berry is the most clinically studied herb known to help regulate hormones in women.

  Research suggests that chaste tree berry affects the pituitary gland - more specifically, the production of progesterone. By stimulating and normalizing the pituitary gland's progesterone function, chaste tree berry can help minimize symptoms of PMS, regulate your period and improve your chances of conception if you have a hormonal imbalance. It is safe to take during your entire cycle.

• Black Cohosh - More commonly used as a treatment for mood swings, hot flashes and vaginal dryness associated with menopause, black cohosh has a long history of use by Native Americans and it also believed to help regulate LH levels, keeping periods and ovulation more regular. It can also help relieve menstrual cramps and can be taken during the first half of your cycle, from menstruation until ovulation.
• Dong Quai - Another herb that is known to help regulate the menstrual cycle is dong quai, a traditionally valued Chinese herb that is noted, among other things, for providing important nutrients, such as iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin E. Dong quai is also known for it's ability to balance estrogen levels and may be helpful in improving the chances of implantation for women who have auto-immune disorders. It is also a blood-thinning herb, so you should not take dong quai during your period.
• Wild Yam - Another herb that is known to increase production of progesterone in women with short luteal phases (from the day after ovulation begins to the end of the menstrual cycle) is wild yam. It is important to note that wild yam should only be taken after ovulation, as it can prevent ovulation if taken before.
• False Unicorn Root - Sometimes called a "tonic for the reproductive organs," false unicorn root can be used to treat delayed and painful periods, endometriosis, hormonal imbalance, morning sickness, threatened miscarriage and ovarian cysts. It is said to have a stimulating and normalizing effect on the ovaries, aiding in both getting pregnant and staying pregnant. You should only take false unicorn root during the first half of your cycle from menstruation to ovulation. It is also said to be helpful in treating men with fertility issues.
• Red Clover Blossom - High in vitamins, calcium and magnesium, red clover blossom is one of the most popular herbal remedies for promoting fertility. It nourishes your uterus and relaxes your nervous system, which helps promote fertility. In addition, its high protein content can benefit your whole body. Taken daily, red clover blossom can also help balance hormones.
• Red Raspberry Leaf - Red raspberry leaf has been used for centuries and is also among the most popular fertility-promoting herbs. High in calcium, red raspberry leaf does not have a direct impact on ovulation, but is known instead for its ability to help strengthen your uterus and prepare it for pregnancy. Red raspberry leaf works best to promote fertility when combined with red clover blossom and can be taken during your entire cycle.
• Ginseng - Most commonly used by men, ginseng can promote fertility in both men and women. It stimulates the immune system and can raise testosterone levels, help treat impotence, and increase sexual desire, sperm count and sperm mobility.
• Licorice - Similar to dong quai, licorice is believed to help balance estrogen levels. However, a moderate amount of licorice has been linked to an increase in blood pressure, so if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, hypertension or kidney disease, you should not use licorice as an herbal remedy.
• Nettle Leaves - Another herb that is beneficial to other parts of your body, specifically your kidneys, is known as stinging nettle. It contains high levels of chlorophyll, which can help regulate your hormones and your cycle, and is also a helpful uterine tonic, strengthening and toning your uterus.
• Evening Primrose Oil - Not only does evening primrose oil help lower cholesterol and alleviate symptoms of PMS, it also aids in the production of fertile quality cervical mucus, which is a huge proponent in the process of conception. Drinking plenty of water in addition to taking evening primrose oil can help you produce thinner, more watery cervical mucus, which is easier for your partner's sperm to swim through, increasing the chances of fertilization. Evening primrose oil causes uterine contractions, so you should not take it after ovulation in the event that conception has occurred.
• Palmetto - One of the primary herbs used by men with fertility issues is palmetto. Its tissue-building and gland-stimulating properties can help tone and strengthen the male reproductive system and can help correct male impotence and low libido, and promote prostate health.
• Combination Supplements - An herbalist will sometimes recommend more than one herb that can be taken together in one form to help increase your chances of conception.

  For you: A combination of chaste tree berry, ginseng, red clover blossoms, dong quai and more, Ovulex is an herbal fertility supplement that can treat a hormonal imbalance or nutritional deficiencies, and can help strengthen your uterus to create ideal conditions for conception to occur.

  For your partner: An herbal fertility supplement specifically for men, Amberoz contains ginseng, ginger, tribulus, palmetto and vitamin E to increase sperm count, sperm motility and strengthen the reproductive system as a whole.

Precautions

There is very little regulation of herbal remedies in the United States. The FDA does not regulate the manufacturing of herbs, but the U.S. Pharmacopeia, a publication that contains legally recognized standards of therapeutic drugs including herbal supplements, does enforce a few standards in the process. Companies that produce herbs meeting these standards have the "USP Dietary Supplement Verified" seal of approval on their label. Looking for herbs with this stamp can help reassure you that are buying a product with some quality. While they can help treat a variety of problems, herbs can also cause adverse affects when mixed with prescription or over-the-counter drugs, so it is important that you talk to your doctor before taking any type of natural remedy for your fertility issues.

If you are considering trying herbs for fertility, it is important to remember the following things:

• Never use herbal remedies and fertility drugs consecutively.
• Only take the herbs recommended by your doctor or an experienced herbalist.
• Use a brand of herbs that has been on the market for quite some time and has good credibility. Higher prices do not necessarily mean better quality.
• Always take the recommended dosage and pay attention to the way your body responds to the herbs.
• Don't expect immediate results. Most herbs take anywhere from three to six months to produce maximum benefits.
• Because some herbs can cause your uterus to contract, discontinue your use of all herbal medicines once you become pregnant.

Even though they are considered "all-natural," herbal medicines are quite potent and should be taken with as much precaution as traditional medicines. If you are interested in using fertility-promoting herbal remedies, discuss the possibility with your doctor. It may help improve your chances of conception considerably.