Chinese herbalists have been using herbs to treat infertility for thousands of years. According to Dr. Subhuti Dharmananda, doctors in China use herbs to treat both female and male infertility and have reported effectiveness in up to 70 percent of all infertility cases. There are more than 150 different Chinese herbs that may help treat infertility that derive from barks, roots, leaves, fruits and flowers. Chinese herbal medicine may help improve your pregnancy success, although there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.
Please consult a physician before attempting herbal remedies for infertility at home.
Herbs for Female Infertility
There are hundreds of different Chinese herbs that may help promote fertility. Some of the Chinese herbs for female infertility include dang gui, shu di huang and yi mu cao. Consult with a certified Chinese herbalist prior to taking herbs for female infertility.
Dang gui, also known as Angelica sinensis, has mild estrogenic and regulatory effects on the female reproductive system. According to Dr. Randine Lewis, an expert in the field of Chinese medicine and infertility, this herb can nourish your blood and treat irregular menses and painful menstruation.
Shu di huang is also known as cooked Rehmannia or Chinese foxglove root. Dr. Lewis states that this herb nourishes your blood and strengthens your kidneys, which is the primary organ responsible for reproduction in Chinese medicine. Shu di huang may help treat infertility and improve menstrual problems and irregularities.
Yi mu cao, or Chinese motherwort, is one of the premier Chinese herbs for gynecological problems. This herb can help stimulate blood circulation, regulate menstruation, treat infertility and reduce pelvic masses such as uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, according to Dr. Lewis.
Herbs for Male Infertility
Some of the Chinese herbs that can help treat male infertility include ren shen, yin yang huo and dong chong xia cao. Consult with a certified Chinese herbalist prior to taking herbs for male infertility.
Ren shen, also known as ginseng, can help reduce fatigue, increase testosterone levels and help improve sperm count, according to Dr. John Chen, a Chinese herbalist and pharmacologist.
Yin Yang Huo, or epimedium, strengthens your kidneys and improves libido. Dr. Chen states that this herb can promote male fertility and treat impotence, low libido, premature ejaculation and low sperm count.
Dong chong xia cao is also known as cordyceps. Dr. Chen recommends this herb to strengthen the male reproductive system, improve sperm count and motility and treat impotence and premature ejaculation.
Where to Find Chinese Herbs
You can get Chinese herbs in the United States from a licensed acupuncturist or certified Chinese herbalist. Ask your health care provider for a referral or you can contact the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) or the Institute for Traditional Medicine (ITM) to find a qualified practitioner in your area.
Treatment Duration
According to Dr. Dharmananda, when the majority of patients in China took Chinese herbs regularly they were able to conceive within 3 to 6 months. In the United States, Chinese herbalists tend to use a lower dosage of herbs as compared to Chinese practitioners. Therefore, treatment duration may take slightly longer--usually 6 to 12 months. Please note that approximately one-third of all patients diagnosed with infertility do not respond to any type of treatment.
Safety and Side Effects
In the United States Chinese herbs are treated as food, not drugs. Consult with your Chinese herbalist regarding her Chinese herb source and whether the manufacturer follows any quality control testing guidelines. Although most Chinese herbs are not considered toxic, you may experience certain rare side effects. Contact your herbalist if you experience dizziness, nausea, headache, dry mouth, change in bowel habits or flatulence. Allergic reactions are possible but rare and usually only occur if you have a serious, previously diagnosed allergic condition.
References
- Acupuncture Center of Ann Arbor: Chinese Herbs and Fertility
- "The Infertility Cure"; Randine Lewis, Ph.D.; 2004
- "Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology"; John K. Chen, Ph.D. and Tina T. Chen, MS, L.Ac.; 2001
Member Comments