Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. Historically, only females were seen medically for this condition. More recently, however, the suspicion that there is a male contribution has concluded that at least 30 percent of fertility issues are solely due to the male partner. In the United States, 1 in 25 men are considered infertile and in 90 percent of cases the causes are due to low quantity or quality of sperm. Most herbs for male fertility improve these two factors.
Panax ginseng
Panax ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng, is cultivated in China and in Korea. It has many purported actions, but its most commonly recognized qualities are as an energy supplement, stimulant and male tonic. The effects of Panax are presumed to result from constituents known as ginsenosides. A 1999 BJU International article found that Panax ginseng protected the testes of guinea pigs exposed to a known carcinogen. The article concluded that the Panax could be effective in treating sperm disorders.
Goji berry
Goji berry is also known as Lycium barbarum. The ripened fruit of this plant has a 2,500-year history of use as a traditional medicine in China, Korea and Japan. A 2008 "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" article noted that many of its traditional properties as an anti-aging, antioxidant, antitumor and fertility-boosting supplement have been verified by recent studies.
A 2006 study published in "Life Sciences" journal studied the effects of Goji fruit on sexual behavior and fertility in male mice. The berries were found to offer protection against heat exposure which is a common cause of sperm dysfunction. Sperm production and quality, hormone levels and sexual activity were all increased post berry consumption. Additionally, the Goji berries protected the testicular cells from damaging chemicals by increasing antioxidant activity and repair.
Maca
Maca is a root vegetable native to many South American countries, particularly Peru. It has been used traditionally as an adaptogen, to help the body respond to extreme stress. Maca appears to have an affinity to the reproductive system, being studied for use in menopause, fertility and sexual enhancement.
A 2007 "Andrologia" journal article found that the yellow and black species of maca increased sperm count in male rats after 84 days of treatment. The treatment did not result in any side effects, but red maca did not show the same results.
Astragalus
There are more than 2,000 species of the astragalus plant. It is an adaptogenic plant, prescribed for generalized weakness and fatigue, chronic health conditions and as an overall tonic. The 2003 herbal monograph in the Alternative Medicine Review journal outlines the many clinical uses of this herb, including its fertility enhancing properties. In 1992, a study published in the "American Journal of Chinese Medicine" found that astragalus significantly increased the motility of human sperm. The article stated that because poor sperm motility is a chief concern in male infertility, astragalus could be a viable complement to assisted reproductive technology.
References
- BJU International: "Panax ginseng improves survival and sperm quality in guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin"
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: "A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium babarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi
- Life Sciences: "Lycium barbarum polysaccharides: Protective effects against heat-induced damage of rat testes and H2O2-induced DNA damage in mouse testicular cells and beneficial effect on sexual behavior and reproductive function of hemicastrated rats."
- Andrologia: "Effect of chronic treatment with three varieties of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on reproductive parameters and DNA quantification in adult male rats.
- Asian Journal of Andrology: "Lepidiium meyenii (Maca) improves semen parameters in adult men"
