MyFertilityGuide

Herbal Medicine

What is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine is a form of holistic medicine in which herbs are used in poultices, salves, teas and pills in order to ward off illness, disease and disorders. It is often used in conjunction with Western medicine to combat specific health issues as well as in addition to other preventative therapies to maintain a healthy balance between body and mind.

Herbal Medicine Remedies for Infertility

Since ancient times, myths surrounding fertility and infertility have evolved into tried and true herbal remedies passed from one generation to the next. Men and women both can benefit from the herbal medicine that has been centuries in the making.

NOTE: This article is not meant to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before beginning any treatment regimen.

Herbal Medicine Treatments for Infertility in Women

A variety of herbs have been shown to stimulate the female hormones and functions necessary to conceive. These include:

• Damiana
• Dong quai
• Blue cohosh
• False unicorn root
• Ginseng
• Gotu kola
• Licorice root
• Wild yam root

Avoid false unicorn root and wild yam root if there’s a chance of pregnancy. Those with high blood pressure should also avoid ginseng and licorice root.

Other remedies for women include tea made from stinging nettle seed, wild raspberry leaf , St. John’s wort or a mixture of red clover blossoms and peppermint.

Herbal Medicine Treatment for Infertility in Men

For men, herbal treatments are centered on a whole body harmony and vigor as well as stimulation of male reproductive hormones. Some herbs often prescribed for infertility in men include:

• Astragalus extract
• Saw palmetto
• Ginseng
• Damiana
• Sarsaparilla
• Yohimbe

Panax ginseng (also known as Chinese or Korean ginseng) is an excellent herbal infertility treatment and has been used as such for centuries. Clinical tests have shown a marked improvement in sperm count and mobility as well as an abeyance of erectile dysfunction, all of which are major issues of male factor infertility. However, ginseng should be avoided if high blood pressure is an issue.

Erectile dysfunction can also be treated with green oat, also known as avena sativa. Another treatment for sperm issues is the Chinese herb yin yang huo, or aceranthus sagittatum.

All herbal supplements should be taken with food or water. Teas should be steeped for one to four hours. Results vary and usually don’t begin to manifest until a few weeks have passed.