Many fertility treatments include medications and hormonal injections. If you are looking for ways to naturally boost your fertility, there may be herbal options for you. The clinical efficacy of these herbs may not be proven. Herbal remedies also may require patience, as they may take longer to work. Talk to your doctor before trying any new supplement or herb, particularly if you are trying to become pregnant.
Red Clover
Red clover is perhaps the most recognized herb for natural fertility enhancement. According to SusunWeed.com, this herb can be particularly useful for women with scarred fallopian tubes, irregular menstruation or abnormal cells in the reproductive tract. The website recommends drinking a tea made from the dried flowers, rather than fresh, allowing it to steep for at least four hours or overnight. Although evidence in human populations is lacking, livestock studies are available from as far back as the 1960's. In June 1982, "Grass and Forage Science" published a study investigating red clover's effects on fertility of heifers. The study states that the pregnancy rates for those cows fed a red clover diet were significantly higher than those fed normal grass diets. Talk to your doctor before trying red clover for fertility.
Partridge Berry
Partridge berry is another plant that SusunWoods.com recommends for fertility. An evergreen creeper, this plant is fairly common, and can be found in woods and around houses. Sometimes called "squaw vine," it has been used in Native American traditional medicine to treat infertility. Its berries are edible, and its leaves can be infused in vinegar to create a tincture for daily use. The website recommends combining leaves with vinegar, sealing the mixture in a jar for six weeks before use. Talk to your doctor and a licensed herbalist before using this plant for fertility.
Liferoot
According to Womens-Health.co.uk, liferoot, or Senecio aureus, can help to promote fertility, potentially by regulating hormonal production and regulating menstruation. SusunWeed.com also recommends lifeweed for fertility as it can increase libido, normalize the menses and relieve menstrual pain. The site advises caution, however; the roots of the lifeweed plant can be harmful. The flowers and leaves can be harvested when the plant is in bloom, and made into a tincture, which can be taken 14 days out of the month.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry may be another herb to consider for fertility enhancement. In July 2006, the journal "Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology" featured a study that investigated the effects of a supplement containing chasteberry on women's fertility rates. Patients who had difficulty conceiving were chosen for the study, and 26 percent of the women given the supplement conceived versus only 10 percent of the placebo group. The study concluded that nutritional remedies could be used as an alternative or adjunct for traditional fertility treatments.
References
- Susun Weed: Fertility Herbs
- "Grass and Forage Science"; The fertility of heifers consuming red clover silage; A.R. Austin et al; June 1982
- Women's Health: Lifeweed
- "Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology"; Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Fertilityblend: a nutritional supplement for improving fertility in women; Westphal LM, Polan ML, and Trant AS; July 2006
