Fertility can be a big obstacle to having a child, and it's not always an easy fix. Numerous factors can play into your ability to conceive, including your hormonal balance, diet and age, among others. Fertility medications abound, offering a medicinal approach to improve your odds of conception. However, naturopathy offers several types of herbs that have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Each can treat some of the factors that may be causing your fertility woes.
Dong Quai
Dong quai is a Chinese medicinal herb that works to regulate your body's female hormones and tone the uterus. It is intended for use during the first half of your menstrual cycle. Dong quai supplements can vary in potency, so you should follow the instructions provided with the supplement or follow directions provided by your doctor. In any case, you shouldn't take dong quai before first consulting your doctor.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is antispasmodic in nature. It can help calm your uterus and relieve cramping that can disrupt your cycle and diminish your fertility. Black cohosh is commonly taken as a dried herb--sometimes in capsule form--or as a tea. Take it in the first half of your cycle from the time you menstruate to the time you ovulate--black cohosh taken after ovulation in a given cycle will have no influence on your fertility in the next cycle.
Red Raspberry Leaf
Unlike dong quai and black cohosh, red raspberry leaf is beneficial to your reproductive system's fertility throughout your menstrual cycle. It strengthens the lining of the uterus, helping extend the luteal phase--the period of time when a fertilized egg is most likely to attach to the uterine wall. However, red raspberry leaf should not be taken after fertilization because of the effect it can have on the fetus; since the egg will already be fertilized, this won't be an issue as far as fertility is concerned.
Chaste Berry
Chaste berry works very similar to dong quai. It also helps to regulate and balance hormones in your body--a significant factor in your body's fertility--and should be taken from the start of your cycle to ovulation.
