Herbs to Improve Fertility in Women
Fertility in general has taken a dive over the past five decades. Women’s declining fertility can be attributed to various factors, including stress, diet, heavy metal toxicity and chemical exposure. Sadly, many women are having trouble conceiving at younger and peak fertility ages.
Recently, Mount Sinai researchers found that exposure to chemicals in drinking water, cosmetics and household products had the potential of reducing female fertility by up to 40%.
Orthodox medicine offers some approaches to address infertility in women, including IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) and hormone therapy. Disappointingly, success rates are around 30 – 40% for those under the age of 35 who undertake these interventions. And that percentage greatly decreases over the age of 35 due to declining ovarian reserves.
As is the case with male fertility (minus surgical or mechanical impediments to conceiving) fertility issues are often a manifestation of underlying health imbalances, such as obesity, hormonal imbalances, previous infections or diminished mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Yet, by concentrating on a holistic approach that synergises recovery in multiple areas of the body and mind, prospective mothers can improve their chances of becoming pregnant.
In naturopathic medicine, the journey to supporting pregnancy is often through incorporating plants and herbs in the healing process. In this article, we’ll explore some of the herbs commonly used for fertility and their benefits for improving reproductive health.
Understanding Fertility
The process of conception is complex, requiring a harmonious interplay of biological, physiological, psychological, genetic and environmental factors to successfully transition from conception to pregnancy.
Despite its complexity, under normal conditions, fertility is a natural and intuitive process, closely aligned with the inherent structure and function of our reproductive organs.
Under atypical circumstances, fertility can be strained by a range of health issues that often occur simultaneously in individuals struggling to conceive. Signs of compromised female reproduction may include premature menopause symptoms, excess hair growth, pre-diabetic symptoms, severe acne, abrupt changes in menstruation and heightened anxiety.
The root causes of many infertility symptoms are often underlying hormonal imbalances in the thyroid or reproductive organs. Conceiving may be difficult because of insulin resistance fuelled by nutritional deficiencies, inflammation and even toxic exposures leading to premature menopause and skin disorders. Additionally, previous infection, compromised immunity, growths or blockages in the reproductive organs and increased stress may be causing or perpetuating the infertility.
Therefore, to bring a woman back to a state of fertility and support the journey to natural conception or even in IVF, overall reproductive health must be supported to give the body and the eggs the best possible chance.
Herbs for Female Fertility
Female fertility can be challenging to diagnose due to the complex processes involved in egg production, uterine implantation, and pregnancy maintenance. The following herbs target not only fertility issues but also overall female reproductive health, which is important for enhancing overall bodily health and improving the chances of conception.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): Red clover has been well-studied for its benefits to female reproductive health. The plant contains essential minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium and iron, which, along with its other compounds, can support overall health and aid in regulating the immune system. It also contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that mimic oestrogen in the body. These compounds can influence hormone balance and may help alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, anxiety, hair loss and mood swings. Red clover is also reported to potentially increase sex drive. Some studies suggest that after a month of consistent use, red clover may increase uterine weight in animal models, which could improve the chances of implantation.
Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus): Also known as chaste tree berry, vitex is commonly used to regulate menstrual cycles and support ovulation. It aids in addressing corpus luteum deficiencies – the hormone-producing structure formed after ovulation – by balancing hormones and supporting the production of luteinising hormone (LH) and progesterone. These hormones are crucial for triggering ovulation and promoting the thickening of the uterine wall. Vitex has been shown to have insulin-lowering effects, which can support the management of insulin resistance.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii): Maca root is known for its adaptogenic properties and hormone-balancing effects. It can enhance libido, which may improve the chances of conception, and support overall reproductive function in women. Maca has also been shown to reduce mood swings, stress, anxiety and depression, promoting a general sense of energy and well-being. Additionally, maca acts as an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that protect the liver and help lower insulin levels.
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Liquorice has been shown to inhibit enzymes involved in the synthesis of androgens (male hormones) and oestrogens, which can enhance ovarian function and promote egg cell (oocyte) maturation. It also helps alleviate menopausal symptoms and is rich in phytoestrogens. Liquorice also exhibits potent anti-diabetic, anti-depressive, laxative, anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory effects. It protects the thyroid gland by assisting in lowering cortisol levels, which is essential for normal brain development and foetal growth.
How Women Can Incorporate Herbs in Their Fertility-Enhancing Routines
A naturopathic approach to addressing infertility requires consistency for six to nine months. Depending on the underlying condition, a natural reversal of infertility symptoms can take up to 12 months. This is because normalising menstrual function and improving reproductive health can take up to six menstrual cycles before there is a noticeable improvement.
Yet with consistency and a targeted naturopathic plan that addresses root causes, fertility-inducing herbs can significantly improve the chances of conception. And, most importantly, these herbs can also address or prevent a variety of reproductive diseases, from endometriosis to uterine cancer.
It’s important to work with a naturopathic herbalist to design a personalised plan for addressing infertility. They can help determine the most effective fertility herbs, such as saw palmetto, or focus on dietary improvements. A naturopathic herbalist will guide you in selecting the right plants, ensuring their quality, and recommending appropriate formulations and dosages.
Nature’s pharmacy provides a wide range of nutritive and supporting plants and herbs that can assist in reversing infertility. But to be most effective, these herbs must be combined with a balanced and nutrient-dense diet, regular movement, stress management and adequate sleep to have the best effect.
Herbs are a wonderful tool of naturopathy and can be even more effective when combined with other modalities such as acupuncture, homeopathy, nutritional therapy, tissue salts, hydrotherapies, meditation and emotional support. All the above can be utilised to bring the body back to a harmonious existence.
It’s important to remember that while herbs have been used for centuries to support reproductive health, they should not be relied upon in isolation. Studies indicate that herbs like vitex can enhance reproductive function by up to 20%, but addressing infertility effectively requires a holistic approach. This includes considering nutrition, reducing environmental stressors and incorporating a whole-body and mind perspective.
The good news is that by adopting a comprehensive approach to infertility and using reproductive-enhancing herbs, you can significantly improve your chances of becoming pregnant.
If you’re interested in developing your own skills as a naturopathic herbalist, taking a whole body approach to fertility, consider studying a Naturopathic Diploma in Herbal Medicine at CNM.
References
Mount Sinai Health System. “Exposure to Chemicals Found in Everyday Products Is Linked to Significantly Reduced Fertility.” Mount Sinai Health System, 17 Mar. 2023, www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2023/exposure-to-chemicals-found-in-everyday-products-is-linked-to-significantly-reduced-fertility#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20Chemicals%20Found%20in%20Everyday%20Products%20Is%20Linked%20to%20Significantly%20Reduced%20Fertility,-Share&text=Exposure%20to%20chemicals%20commonly%20found,study%20by%20Mount%20Sinai%20researchers. Accessed 18 May 2024.
Akbaribazm, Mohsen et al. “Female infertility and herbal medicine: An overview of the new findings.” Food science & nutrition vol. 9,10 5869-5882. 15 Aug. 2021, doi:10.1002/fsn3.2523
Written by By Charlee Martin
