Herbal Fertility Remedies

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 11.8 percent of women in the United States have difficulty conceiving a child. That is over 7 million women who are struggling to have a baby. Men also are affected by infertility. Herbal fertility remedies can increase their chances of conceiving the baby they long for.

Herbs for Infertility

• Infertility in women can have many causes. A woman may have a blockage in her fallopian tubes. She may have fibroids, endometriosis or another health issue. These all have their own treatments that may result in increased fertility. However, another cause of infertility in women is the failure of the ovaries to release an egg or the failure of the egg to implant in the uterus. Herbs can help this problem by balancing the hormone levels to encourage an egg to release. They also tone and nourish the uterus.

  In men, infertility may be caused by injury or illness that reduces the production of sperm or results in damage to the sperm produced. In these cases, herbal fertility remedies can increase the number of sperm produced as well as the viability of it.

  It is important to note that in about one-third of the cases where couples struggle with infertility, there is no known cause and treatment may not be possible. It is always wise to discuss your concerns with your doctor to determine the actual cause of infertility if possible.

Herbs for Women

• There are various herbs believed to increase fertility in women. Chasteberry (also known as chaste tree or vitex) stimulates the pituitary gland, which balances hormones. Another herb that does this is dong quai. It is know for its ability to balance estrogen, which makes is easier for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. Red clover also nourishes the uterus, increasing the chances of implantation. While both red clover and dong quai improve fertility in women, they must be avoided during pregnancy to avoid harming the fetus.

Herbs for Men

• Men who struggle with infertility also can use herbs to improve their chances of becoming a father. Some of the herbs recommended are the same herbs taken by women. Dong quai, for example, is just as good for men as for women. For men, this herb improves the health and viability of sperm. Red clover increases testosterone in men. Other helpful herbs for men include black cohosh and astragalus, both of which increase the mobility of sperm.

  Sperm count can be increased with yin yang-huo and ginseng. Epimedium increases the formation of semen. All of these herbs can be taken together to greatly improve a man's fertility.

Other Fertility Enhancers

• Herbal fertility remedies can increase the chances of conceiving but not if a person's overall health is severely neglected. It is important to maintain a healthy weight, keeping in mind that being underweight can be just as bad as being overweight. Women should avoid overly strenuous exercise because it can interrupt the normal monthly cycle. It is also helpful to avoid alcohol, smoking and chemical exposure. All of these things can have an adverse effect on the implantation of the egg in the uterus.