Many cultures around the world have traditionally used herbal medications to help women get pregnant. Although Western medicine does not promote the use of herbal medications for fertility, herbs are commonly recommended by alternative medicine practitioners. Little scientific research has been done to determine the effectiveness of herbal medications for fertility, but a few studies suggest that certain herbs may have benefits for couples trying to conceive.
Forms
Herbal medications for fertility may come in various forms. Herbal tinctures are liquid extracts that include grain alcohol or apple cider vinegar; tinctures are highly potent and are often considered more effective than other forms of herbal medications. Herbal medications for fertility may also come in the form of capsules or tablets. Some may be consumed as teas.
Herbs for Women's Fertility
If you are planning to use herbal medications to help you get pregnant, it is important to visit an herbalist or naturopath who is knowledgeable about herbs for women's health. An herbalist will assess your specific fertility issues and overall health and recommend herbal medications for fertility or herbal combinations for fertility.
Herbal medications to help you get pregnant may include black cohosh, chaste berry (vitex), dong quai, licorice root, red clover and wild yam. Black cohosh and dong quai must be stopped as soon as pregnancy is achieved in order to avoid danger to the fetus. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses many herbs to enhance female fertility, including dan shen, tao ren, ze lan and xiang fu.
According to a study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, women taking an herbal blend that included chaste berry showed a significant increase in fertility. One of the ways herbal medications may enhance fertility is by balancing hormones and promoting a healthy menstrual cycle.
Herbs for Men's Fertility
Herbal medications that enhance male fertility include ashwaganda, fo-ti, saw palmetto and damiana. Ginseng or Siberian ginseng are considered healthy for men's reproductive health and may be able to increase sperm count. A study published in the journal Sexuality and Disability confirmed that ginseng helps preserve sperm count. Saw palmetto has been shown to be beneficial for prostate health but has not been well studied as an herbal medication for fertility.
Considerations
Women who are having fertility issues may have a more serious complication such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis or uterine fibroids that may require traditional treatment. Since herbal medications have not been thoroughly studied, herbal medications for fertility may have interactions with traditional fertility treatments or other medications. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, depression or a history of other serious health issues, use extra caution when using herbal medications.
Tags: medications fertility, herbal medications fertility, herbal medications, medications help, chaste berry, dong quai, fertility issues