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It’s no secret that couples these days are having an increasingly difficult time conceiving. Even young women in their twenties who should have no trouble in this area are sometimes finding it a challenge to let nature take its course. Diet is clearly a critical part of healthy reproduction and eating the correct foods to promote fertility is Job #1. It is a lesser-known fact that fertility herbs can play a huge role in this area.
It is often a simple and very straightforward process to assist the establishment of pregnancy using these safe and time tested plants to balance the female hormones and libido.
Fertility herbs are also helpful in nourishing the body and female reproductive system which in turn helps to relax the entire nervous system to facilitate conception. This can come as quite a surprise for some who had perhaps only been aware of herbs used for natural birth control.
Do you know how doctors are often prone to say to couples having trouble conceiving that the woman just “needs to relax”? While this is an irritating comment for any woman to hear who ready to have a baby, herbs for fertility just might help this to happen a lot more quickly by doing exactly that!
Best Fertility Herbs
Note that these powerful fertility herbs work most effectively in the absence of any structural problems within the reproductive system. Hence, it is best to discuss the resolution of issues such as endometriosis, fibroids or blocked fallopian tubes with your practitioner first.
Stinging Nettle
Nettle is my most favorite all around fertility herb. Not only does it tone and nourish the uterus, but it also promotes the strengthening of the kidneys and adrenal glands. If you are or have ever been a coffee drinker, this herb is for you!
One, two, or even more cups per day of this high mineral tea which is also loaded with chlorophyll (a detoxifier) for several months goes a long way toward preparing a woman’s body for pregnancy and for sustaining the embryo once conception occurs.
Nettle tea is also fantastic for preparing for the baby’s birth as it is extremely high in Vitamin K, which allows Mom peace of mind knowing that her newborn baby’s blood will already contain an ample amount. Oral Vitamin K supplementation is another excellent option.
Continuing to drink nettle tea while breastfeeding promotes successful lactation and a copious milk supply as well! A nettle infusion also helps with allergy relief from seasonal pollen issues as a bonus because it is a potent, natural anti-histamine.
Red Clover
Red clover is an excellent fertility herb primarily due to the high amounts of calcium and magnesium. These two minerals are believed to be of high importance in affecting a woman’s ability to conceive.
Red clover contains every single trace element needed by the glandular system. As such, this alkalizing herb is probably the single most effective plant used for balancing of the conception hormones. Balancing the body acid/alkaline pH and thereby the uterus pH goes a long way toward favoring conception.
Brew your red clover tea along with peppermint or another type of mint if you prefer. This acts as a sexual stimulant. To make a powerful infusion of these herbs in combination, measure one ounce of red clover and a teaspoon of peppermint. Steep in one quart of hot filtered water for 4 hours. Ensure the lid is tightly fastened to contain the steam.
Drink this mixture as desired once it has cooled down. Refrigerate in an airtight container.
Red Raspberry
Red Raspberry leaves, particularly the wild kind, are very high in calcium. Like Nettle and Red Clover, Red Raspberry leaves serve as a soothing uterine tonic and a very effective fertility herb.
The fertility promoting effects of Red Raspberry are enhanced in combination with other herbs, particularly Red Clover.
To make a powerful infusion of this herb, steep 1/2 ounce Red Raspberry and 1/2 ounce Red Clover in one quart of hot water for 4 hours. Refrigerate the unused portion after cooling.
With each cup of this herbal infusion, add 5-15 drops of either Dong Quai root tincture or False Unicorn root tincture. This will further enhance the fertility effects of Red Raspberry.
Conception Herbs for Him
Note that the fertility issues could be on his side. In that situation, consider using the benefits of maca to assist with improving sperm count and motility. Scientific research has shown that maca achieves this without increasing testosterone levels, unlike some other male supplements.
Lunaception
The process of encouraging ovulation using the power of light is called lunaception. This technique works very well when combined with fertility promoting herbs.
To establish the proper timing for ovulation, follow this routine. Leave a light on in your bedroom for 3 consecutive nights about midway through your cycle. All other nights should be total darkness. Get bedroom blackout curtains if necessary. You will ovulate on the nights when the light is on.
You and your Sweetie can take it from here!
References
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, by Susun S. Weed
The Garden of Fertility, by Katie Singer
Alexia
What about male infertility?
Does anyone know of anything that can help?
Thanks in advance.
Erwin Alber
Love this – thank you Sarah – will pass it on to my son and his wife, who had a failed IVF pregnancy. I assume that these herbs are not just recommended for people who intend to have a baby, but for everyone’s general and particularly sexual health.
I also highly recommend James Wong’s book ‘Grow your own drugs’. There are also a number of YouTube videos featuring James:
James Wong ‘Grow Your Own Drugs’ Talks to Friends of Eden (part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5lGrOm7pvQ
Grow Your Own Drugs/ A Year With James Wong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S-nhkCIBH4
Marisa
@Melissa – Thanks so much for passing that site along! It's a really great find!
Sarah, the Healthy Home Economist
Hi Sarah, I'm not personally a big fan of prenatal vitamins. I never did take one with any of my 3 pregnancies. They contain synthetic vitamins generally speaking even the so called "whole foods" ones. Great breastmilk is based on diet, not on man made supplements. Check out the westonaprice.org diet for pregnant and nursing mothers for what to eat to produce the best breastmilk for your baby.
Sarah S
Along with eating the correct foods would you recommend a prenatal vitamin or if you are eating the correct foods would you not need the prenatal vitamin? I am actually nursing a newborn and so getting pregnant isn't an issue for me, but I want to make sure I am producing great breastmilk. I am new to the WAPF and trying to figure it all out. Thank you for the great blog.
Greg B
My wife and I have been using herbs for years and these 3 in particular for her fertility. I have to comment about the last part about the lunaception. My wife and I are NFP (Natural Family Planning) instructors and have been using that method for years (www.ccli.org). What this lunaception sounds like is a rather unscientific, hit or miss method for attempted conception (think- the rhythm method). Every woman has a different cycle and different lutial phases and even the length of a cycle can vary depending upon an assortment of factors from month to month. If your attempting to achieve pregnancy (or even postphoning), the NFP method is scientifically proven to be 99.9% effective when used properly. It doesn't involve guessing, or buying anything other than a thermometer and some graph paper. If you have had difficulty in the past achieving pregnancy, please look into this method for a much more reliable way. We have helped many couples over the years (and for women in particular)learn how a woman's cycle actually works and for her to use the natural signs her body gives every cycle to know when ovulation is close to and eventually does occur. We can tell you the day of conception for all of our kids!!
WordVixen
Ah… so my 2nd shift life really might be affecting my fertility (or lack thereof)? I was afraid of that. I often don't get to sleep until just before the sun comes up. My normal sleep hours are between 4am and noon, but over the weekend is more like 5:30am (I can see the sun coming up) and 2pm.
I also have a severe hormonal imbalance, which I'm hoping the real food lifestyle will help- but I've only been doing it for a few weeks. :-/
Melissa
http://www.bulkherbstore.com has wonderful information on all kinds of herbs. I have been buying herbs for teas from them for years, and they are always nice and fresh! Also, they have info on preparation of teas, tinctures and glycerites. Love their store!
Sarah, the Healthy Home Economist
Frontier is a great source of high quality, organic herbs. A Chinese doctor/acupuncturist can frequently put a bag of the proper mix of fertility herbs together for you too if you know one that you trust.
Anonymous
Interesting post! Do you gave a good source to buy these herbs? Thank you!
Samantha
Several factors can affect fertility, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances naturally, i struggled my self too and finally got pregnant. Learn more here :