Fertility Herbs Part 3

 Miscarriage Prevention

*If you think a miscarriage may be happening, call your healthcare provider right away. Lay down to rest, put your feet up.If you think you are having a miscarriage consult your doctor right away. These are traditional therapies for miscarriage. There are no guarantees being made that they will stop a miscarriage. Most miscarriages are meant to happen due to issues with the fetus. These herbs will not stop a miscarriage that is meant to happen. They are helpful with miscarriages that are caused from stress, poor diet, trauma, weak uterine muscles, or low progesterone levels. Herbs help to provide extra nourishment and strength needed to nourish a depleted body. The following herbs are best used prior to pregnancy, for at least 3 months to help prevent miscarriage.

• Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium): Extremely effective at reducing uterine contractions, and uterine muscle spasm. If there is uterine cramping without cervical dilation, cramp bark has been traditionally used to help stop uterine spasm and contractions. It is interchangeable with Cramp Bark and has the same actions as Cramp bark.


• Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus): Extremely effective at reducing uterine contractions, and uterine muscle spasm. If there is uterine cramping without cervical dilation, cramp bark has been traditionally used to help stop uterine spasm and contractions. It has been used for hundreds of years as miscarriage prevention.
• False Unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum): Recurrent miscarriages related to uterine and cervical weakness. This plant is endangered!
• Partridge Berry leaves & stems (Mitchella repens): Is a uterine tonic traditionally used to help strengthen a weak uterus. Helpful when the woman is experiencing painful cramping, uterine spasm, bleeding, and/or passing of blood clots in the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Vitex also known as Chaste tree berry, dried berries (Vitex agnus-castus): Has been traditionally used by midwives and herbalist to prevent miscarriage associated with low progesterone. Low progesterone is the number one reason for recurrent miscarriages.
• Wild Yam root (Dioscorea villosa): Traditionally used to treat irritable uterus and threatened miscarriage with uterine contractions present. Often combined with Cramp bark or Black Haw. Also used for hyperemesis gravidarum (extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy).

Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are the product of failed or disordered ovulation. Herbs that promote hormonal balance, regular ovulation, and proper circulation are key. Also consider herbs that are detoxifying to the liver for improved hormonal balance.

• Black Cohosh root (Actaea racemosa): Promotes regulation of the entire menstrual cycle. Excellent for relieving ovarian pain.
• Blue Cohosh rhizome and root (Caulophyllum thalictroides): Both an ovarian and uterine tonic. Aids in regulation of the entire menstrual cycle.


• Castor Oil, oil pressed from bean (Ricinus communis): When Castor Oil is applied as a pack to the abdomen it can be used to enhance circulation and promote healing, detoxification of the tissues and organs underneath the skin, including the ovaries. 
• Dong Quai root (Angelica sinensis): Aids in hormonal balance. Used for congestive fertility states such as uterine fibroids. Supports healthy circulation to the reproductive organs. Reduction in pain associated with reproductive organs.
• Maca root (Lepidium meyenii): Maca is a nourishing food for the endocrine system, aiding both the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands (all involved in hormonal balance.) Supports overall hormonal balance, works to balance estrogen/progesterone levels, for overall menstrual cycle support.
• Milk Thistle seed (Silybum marianum): Supports hormonal balance. It is one of the best plants for liver health. Liver health is vital for hormonal balance. The liver helps to filter toxins from the body, including excess hormones.
• Seaweed (variety of species): High in fiber for improved estrogen metabolism. 
• Tribulus, aerial parts and fruit (Tribulus terrestris): May normalize ovulation in infertile women when used prior to ovulation. One study performed on 36 women who were not ovulating, showed that that 67% realized normal ovulation after only 2-3 months of consistent use. Tribulus has also been found to be a nourishing tonic for the female reproductive system as a whole, especially concerning the ovaries.
• Vitex, Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus-castus): Aid in regulating hormonal balance, promotes ovulation, improves timing of the menstrual cycle. 
• Wild Yam root (Dioscorea villosa): Promotes healthy menstrual cycle, reduces ovarian pain. 
• Yarrow aerial parts (Achillea millefolium): Relieves pelvic congestion, improves the entire menstrual cycle timing.

Painful Menstruation also known as Dysmenorrhea

It is important to determine the source of the pain when living with painful menstruation. It may be associated with another fertility issue. If it is not, and you experience pain during your bleeding time each month, the herbs below may help. Some of them are specific to reducing pain when it is going to come-on, while others are for long-term management.

• Black Cohosh root (Actaea racemosa): Anti-inflammatory, reducing spasm in both the smooth muscles, but also the skeletal muscles associated with pain that radiates to the lower back and down the thighs.


• Black Haw root bark (Viburnum prunifolium): Extremely effective at reducing uterine contractions, and uterine muscle spasm. It has been used for hundreds of years to help prevent miscarriage. Interchangeable with Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus).
• Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita): Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. It is also helpful for women with digestive constipation contributing to pain. Because this herb is also a nervine and mild sedative it may help to reduce stress, relax the nervous system and induce a restful state in the body. This can be very useful when experiencing menstrual cramping accompanied by anxiety and irritability.
• Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus): This is one of the most effective herbs for reducing uterine spasm and cramping. Cramp Bark brings relief of pain and muscle spasm for smooth muscle, especially the uterus. Interchangeable with Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium).
• Dong Quai root (Angelica sinensis): This herb helps to reduce cramping and pain in the uterus. Dong Quai acts on the circulatory system and lymphatic system reducing tissue congestion. It has both pain reducing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also very relaxing to the nervous system, which is an important factor for women who have pain associated with fertility issues. 
• Feverfew aerial parts (Tanacetum parthenium): Has been used for hundreds of years for painful menstruation. Excellent for reduction in menstrual pain, especially where migarine headache is present along, with uterine spasm.
• Ginger fresh or dried root (Zingiber officinale): If you experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea due to painful cramping and hormonal changes, ginger is one of the best herbs to soothe the stomach. It is also anti-inflammatory.
• Jamaican Dogwood bark (Piscidia erythrina): Extremely antispasmodic and analgesic. It is traditionally used for all neuralgic and muscular cramps and spasm. This is an herb that is often relied on by herbalists for women who have unrelenting pain disturbing daily life activities; debilitating pain. Jamaican Dogwood may be a good option for women who have lost all hope, or where other remedies have failed.
• Motherwort aerial parts (Leonurus cardiaca): A powerful herb that brings quick relief to women who have painful periods with symptoms like anxiety, rapid heart beat, hot flash, headache, dizziness, stress, and difficulty sleeping. This herb is very effective at reducing uterine muscle spasm, cramping and improving uterine tone.
• Red Clover leaves, blossom (Trifolium pratense): Nourishing food herb, high in vitamins and minerals. It is one of the best blood purifying herbs. High in both calcium and magnesium, essential for proper smooth muscle function, reducing and aiding in prevention of uterine cramping.
• Wild Yam root (Dioscorea villosa): Wild Yam has a wonderful action on smooth muscle tissue, reducing muscle spasm of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, aiding in painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) and chronic pelvic pain.