7 Herbal Remedies For Infertility

Many women prefer taking a natural approach to remedy infertility because the usual medical treatments have potentially dangerous side effects.

Most of the current treatments for infertility center around trying to balance hormone levels through prescription drugs. These hormone drugs are usually synthetic derivatives that are given on the basis of what a woman may be low in. However, some of these synthetic hormones may increase the risk of breast cancer.

There are a number of herbal solutions that balance hormones quite well, especially when used in conjunction with nutritional herbs that help supply the body with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients.

Herbalists and naturopaths take a 'whole body' approach to infertility. Correcting lifestyle habits that helped create the problem in the first place is an important aspect in facilitating the potential health improvements gained from using herbs.

Alfalfa and parsley are two such nutritional herbs. They have a wide variety of minerals, vitamins, and other phytonutrients like chlorophyll. Iron, zinc, potassium, and vitamin C are notable nutritional components of them.

Kelp is another great herb that helps the body's thyroid gland (and metabolism). It is also very nutrient rich.

These three herbs are important for women with PCOS, endometriosis, or fibroids. This is especially the case if a woman has heavy periods (a common symptom). The loss of nutrients in the blood can be significant, especially when you consider that a woman loses 40% more calcium in menstrual blood than normal. So, nutritional herbs can play a vital role in making sure women with these conditions are in peak condition, which is important when trying to conceive.

Other Herbal Remedies For Infertility

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is a reasonably well known herb for female hormone problems. Whilst scientists are not certain how it acts, some of the active constituents are believed to affect hormones at the hypothalamus-pituitary level. Thus, the effects on the reproductive system are a derivative of this. It is really useful for fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and other menstrual problems. If these are affecting your ability to fall pregnant, then black cohosh would be a good choice.

Horsetail

Horsetail is an herbal diuretic. Whilst it is predominantly used for kidney and bladder problems, it can also be quite beneficial for women with fibroids. It helps dissolve fatty tumors within the body.

Sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla is a tonic herb that is useful for both men and women in balancing their bodies. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, as well as being protective of the liver. The liver plays a central role in metabolism, as well as processing drugs and medications. It can also affect our moods, and sexual desire. Whilst it may not play a direct role in infertility, liver health is an important underlying aspect in the overall health of our bodies.

Sarsaparilla can help improve the absorption of active constituents from other herbs, and appears to bind to some toxins, helping remove them from the body.

Red Raspberry

Raspberry is an excellent female tonic herb, that has the added bonus of being delicious as an herbal tea. It helps strengthen, tone and heal the whole reproductive system, including the walls of the uterus. It is a great choice for those who have heavy periods.

There may not be a one-size-fits-all herbal remedy for infertility, as the underlying factors leading to this problem will likely be unique for each woman. However, a combination approach, that includes nutritional remedies with specific herbs, can contribute to the restoration of a healthy balance within the body, thereby creating an environment that is optimized for conception.

References: C Fisher and G Painter, Materia Medica Of Western Herbs For The Southern Hemisphere