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Herbs & Habits to Boost Fertility

Summary

  • Fertility is a reflection of the health of the whole body, mind and spirit
  • Stress can greatly impact our fertility. Consider self-care practises, meditation and herbs such as Damiana to support the nervous system
  • Nutrition is key! Support your nutrition using nutritive herbs such as Nettle leaf and Oat Straw. 
  • Balance female reproductive hormones with Chaste tree, Shatavari or Maca.
  • Balance male reproductive hormones with Tongkat ali, Tribulus and Saw palmetto.
By Tamara Welsh, Happy Herbalist

There are many factors that impact our fertility and these can vary greatly from person to person. In general, fertility is a reflection of the health of the whole body, all systems working in alignment. If we become depleted, sick, exhausted or chronically stressed our body quickly decides that being fertile is not a priority. For women this may result in a lowered libido or the menstrual cycle may shut down and men may be left with a lowered sperm count, poor sperm motility or erectile dysfunction. In order to boost our fertility, we need to commit to the ultimate self care model and focus on what makes us truly healthy; a nourishing diet, safe and consistent movement, fostering meaningful relationships and feelings of contentment and lowering toxins in our internal and external environments. 

fertility

Stress

Stress is a major player when it comes to hormonal health. Hormones are the chemical messengers produced by the glands and organs of the endocrine system. Their purpose is to send messages that control many aspects of our health including metabolism, growth and development, energy and the stress response and reproduction. Prolonged consistent stress (even perceived stress) can greatly impact this system and a holistic approach is essential to breaking the stress cycle. A simple meditation or breathwork practice can be an integral tool in settling down a stressed-out system. 

For chronic stress leading to lowered libido we can consider the herb Damiana (Turnera diffusa). Damiana, a nervine trophorestorative, nourishes and restores the nervous system. Additionally, Damiana has an aphrodisiac action and can be helpful for both sexes to stimulate libido. These actions are thought to be due to Damiana’s anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects and it’s impacts on nitric oxide synthesis.

Making some time for self-care is especially important to enhance fertility by reducing stress. Self-care creates a clear signal to our bodies that we are nourished and cared for. Self massage with herbal oils made to nourish the breasts and womb are a wonderful ritual for women looking to improve fertility. Consider making your own herbal infused oil using herbs such as Gotu kola, Calendula, Chamomile, Yarrow and Ginger. Your oil can then be massaged into the skin to support hormone health and connection to self or your partner.

Nutrition

When it comes to fertility, nutrition really can’t be overstated. It is just so crucial to ensure that you are feeding your body all the nutrients it needs to succeed reproductively. Specific diets are very individual but start simply by ensuring you’re eating fresh, seasonal whole foods and reducing alcohol, caffeine and heavily processed and packaged foods.

A wonderful addition to a wholefoods diet is an infusion of nutritive herbs such as nettle leaf and oat straw. These two herbs are highly nutritious and make a wonderful blend to support fertility and calm the nervous system.

Sprouting your own seeds is another fun and easy way to add extra nutrition to your diet. Broccoli, Alfalfa and Radish seeds all make delicious nutrient dense sprouts and can be added to any meal for an extra nutrient punch.

Reproductive Hormonal Balance for Women

Herbs can be highly effective and often life changing for women who are suffering from hormonal imbalance. Tracking your menstrual cycle is a really effective tool to help you understand what your reproductive hormones are doing and therefore understand your fertility. Listed below are three herbs that can help to rebalance hormones and enhance fertility. 

Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is an herb well-known for its ability to help with regulating the menstrual cycle. It is a complex herb which is understood to modulate prolactin levels in a dose-dependant manner. Chaste tree has grown in popularity as an effective herb to reduce PMS symptoms. It should be taken first thing in the morning for at least 3 months for full benefit.

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) comes to us from the Ayurvedic tradition and translates to ‘she of a thousand husbands’ as it is known for its libido enhancing effects. Shatavari is a hormone modulator meaning it can help to balance the hormones. Shatavari is also an adaptogen and thus can help to prevent and manage the ill effects that stress and burnout have on the reproductive system. 

Another herb to consider for enhanced fertility is Maca (Lepidium meyenii). Maca comes in a powdered form and is indigenous to the Andes. It has aphrodisiac and fertility enhancing properties in both genders. Maca increases sexual desire without stimulating changes in pituitary or gonadal hormones. Maca is a great addition to warm drinks, smoothies, baking and energy bars. As an adaptogen it also helps to manage stress in the body and boost energy and endurance levels.

Reproductive Hormonal Balance for Men

By the nature of human anatomy, the male reproductive system is less complex compared to the female reproductive system. However, the same rules apply; for the male reproductive system to be functioning well and to enhance fertility, men require a balanced body, mind and spirit. If this has been achieved, then we can turn to specific herbs for enhancement and to correct any hormonal deficiencies.

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is native to South east Asia and has become popular in recent years as an ‘anti-aging’ remedy for men.  Studies have shown Tongkat ali to stimulate the release of free testosterone, improve sex drive, reduce fatigue, and improve well-being. Interestingly, Tongkat ali is thought to maintain and restore normal testosterone levels in those individuals whose levels are depleted rather than boost levels in anyone who tries the herb. Therefore, Tongkat ali is a useful herb for men with low levels of testosterone. 

Similarly, Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris) is also thought to improve testosterone levels in men when they are low. Tribulus has been traditionally used in Western herbal medicine for both male and female infertility. It contains a high number of steroidal saponins, some of which are thought to be responsible for the effects of Tribulus including improving libido as well as sperm count and motility. As a tonic herb, Tribulus is effective at combating fatigue and physical stress. 

Lastly, Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is used in Western herbal medicine for conditions of the prostate and urinary tract (particularly of men) that require tonic and antispasmodic action. Saw palmetto provides a tonic action to the male reproductive organs and may be particularly useful for males with ailments of the prostate that lead to impotence. 

As you can see, herbal remedies have been used to boost fertility in many cultures around the world. Listed above are just a few herbs that are known for their fertility enhancing capabilities. As fertility is a reflection of the health of the whole body, there are many herbs that can be helpful in this space and an individualised approach is recommended. 

References

Estrada-Reyes R, Carro-Juárez M, Martínez-Mota L. Pro-sexual effects of Turnera diffusa Wild (Turneraceae) in male rats involves the nitric oxide pathway. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Mar 7;146(1):164-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.12.025. Epub 2013 Jan 5. PMID: 23298455.

Tambi MI, Imran MK, Henkel RR. Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat ali, as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism? Andrologia. 2012 May;44 Suppl 1:226-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01168.x. Epub 2011 Jun 15. PMID: 21671978.

Happy Herb Co provides referenced information for educational purposes only and does not make any therapeutic claims for any of their products.
Please seek advice from a healthcare provider if you wish to use herbs for therapeutic purposes. 

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