Fertility Herbs Part 4

 

 

PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)

The overall goal with PCOS is to balance blood sugar levels in the body, maintain hormonal balance, promote healthy digestion for improved estrogen metabolism, while also working to promote regular ovulation and menses.

• Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera): Supports overall endocrine system function.


• Cinnamon inner bark (Cinnamomum verum, C.zeylanicum): Preliminary studies shown cinnamon had greatly reduced insulin resistant women. May help to lower heavy bleeding time associated with hormonal imbalances due to PCOS. Supports healthy circulation to reproductive organs.
• Burdock root (Arctium lappa): Supports overall liver function for improved hormonal balance. Also supportive of balanced blood sugar levels. Cleansing for the entire body, especially where congested tissues and organs are present.
• Eleuthero root and stem bark (Eleutherococcus senticosus): Adaptogen herb that supports overall endocrine function which supports hormonal balance.
• Gymnema leaf (Gymnema sylvestris): This herbs is known as the destroyer of sugar. Supports healthy blood sugar levels, controlling insulin. Helps curb sugar cravings.
• Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Helps to maintain proper hormone production and release. Supports healthy insulin levels and liver health for hormonal balance support.
• Maca root (Lepidium meyenii): Maca may help to increase progesterone levels in both men and women. Maca works to balance the estrogen and progesterone in the body, for a healthy menstrual cycle.
• Tribulus, aerial parts and fruit (Tribulus terrestris): Promotes regular ovulation. May reduce ovarian cysts in women with PCOS.
• Saw Palmetto berry (Serenoa repens): Saw Palmetto has been found to inhibit DHT production by reducing 5 alpha-reductase production, which may help prevent Hirsutism (excessive body hair growth, thinning hair on head) in women with PCOS. This herb also helps to reduce endometrial hyperplasia and hormonal acne symptoms. 
• Vitex also known as Chaste Tree berry, dried berries (Vitex agnus-castus): Women with PCOS often have irregular menstrual cycles and anovulation. Vitex works to balance the hormonal feedback loop and promote ovulation and regular cycles.
• White Peony root (Paeonia lactiflora): When Peony is combined with Licorice Rt. (Glycyrrhiza glabra), it performs better, especially for relaxing muscles, reducing painful menstruation, as well as lowering serum and free testosterone levels in women with PCOS. Moves the blood in the pelvic area, good for uterine stagnation including conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, & PCOS.

Poor Egg Health

• To create an environment for healthy eggs, we first need to consider naturally cleansing herbs, herbs for hormonal balance, proper endocrine function and improved circulation to the reproductive organs. Stress plays a role in egg health as well, therefore if stress is present, herbs that support healthy stress response and calm the nerves should be used as well.
  
• Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera): Supports overall endocrine system function.
• Bee Pollen/Propolis: Bee pollen has been reported to have great results in boosting immunity and fertility. Bee propolis has been found to support healthy immune, inflammation and stress response in the body.
• Burdock root (Arctium lappa): Supports overall liver function for improved hormonal balance. Cleansing for the entire body.
• 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 of the tissues and organs underneath the skin. Castor oil works to provide cleansing to the area applied, through stimulation of the lymphatic system.
• Dong Quai root (Angelica sinensis): Aids in hormonal balance. Supports healthy circulation to the reproductive organs.
• Fo-ti root, also known as He Shou Wu, Ho Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum): Adaptogen, supporting overall endocrine function, immune and stress response. Nourishing to the liver and kidneys. Considered one of the best herbs for protecting health long-term. Because of this it is considered excellent for people trying to conceive who are over 40 years old.
• Ginger root (Zingiber officinale): Increases circulation, promotes healthy inflammation response. Improves digestion for proper nutrient absorption, boosting overall health.
• Lemon Balm leaf (Melissa officinalis): Excellent nervous system support. Supports healthy stress response, lessens depression and anxiety. Good emotional health, and stress response is important prior to conception.
• 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). Works to protect the body from stress damage. Shown to support and increase egg health.
• 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.
• Motherwort, aerial parts (Leonurus cardiaca): Supports healthy stress response; for depression, anxiety, stress associated with the menstrual cycle, or in life. Aids in heart and circulatory function.
• Oat straw (stems), Milky Oats (tops) exert a stronger effect than oatstraw, (Avena sativa): Nourishing, aids in stress reduction by supporting nervous system. Great support for stress related fertility issues.

Pregnancy Preparation

• The main focus when choosing herbs for preconception is to nourish the body, detoxify for hormonal balance/optimal health, support uterine tone, build the blood, and support healthy stress response. Preconception herbs are best used at least 3-6 months prior to conception. Many of these herbs should not be used into pregnancy.
  
• Alfalfa aerial parts (Medicago sativa): Very nutritious, high in vitamins and minerals. Contains some phytoestrogens. Aids in protection against xenohormones. Aids in vaginal atrophy and dryness.
• Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera): Supports overall endocrine system function for proper hormonal balance, immune system and stress response.
• Burdock root (Arctium lappa): Nourishing and cleansing for the liver, aiding in hormonal balance.
• Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale): Nourishing. Used to increase nutrition, supportive of liver health, for hormonal balance.
• Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale): Aids in liver health, stimulates digestion for improved hormonal balance.
• Dong Quai root (Angelica sinensis): Aids in hormonal balance. Used for congestive fertility states such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, PCOS, ovarian cysts. Supports healthy circulation to the uterus, nourishing for the blood. Reduction in pain associated with reproductive organs.
• Eleuthero root and stem bark (Eleutherococcus senticosus): Supports proper endocrine function through its adaptogenic properties. Supports overall hormonal balance, excellent for stress support.
• Evening Primrose Oil cold pressed from seed (Oenothera biennis): Supports overall hormonal balance and cervical mucous production through its high content of the omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFA’s), Linoleic Acid (LA) and Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). LA is needed for prostaglandin E and GLA is needed for the synthesis of prostaglandin E. One of the many functions of Prostaglandins is to help control regulation of hormones as well as control proper cell growth. 
• Hibiscus flower petals (Hibiscus sabdariffa): Very high in vitamin C, may support healthy cervical mucous. Vit. C is essential for proper absorption of iron. Best combined with herbs high in iron, Raspberry lf., Yellow dock, Nettles. Supports proper heart health and blood pressure.
• Lemon Balm leaf (Melissa officinalis): Excellent nervous system support. Supports healthy stress response, lessens depression and anxiety. Good emotional health, and stress response is important prior to conception. Not for use for people with hypothyroidism.
• 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.
• 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.
• Nettles leaf, root, seed (Urtica dioica): Nutritive; high mineral, vitamin and chlorophyll content. Supportive of gentle cleansing of the liver, lungs, intestines and kidneys. Great adrenal support. Supports proper blood formation through its high iron content.
• Oatstraw (stems), Milky Oats (tops) exert a stronger effect than oatstraw, (Avena sativa): Nourishing, aids in stress reduction by supporting nervous system. Great support for stress related fertility issues.
• Red Clover leaves, blossoms (Trifolium pratense): Red Clover is a nourishing food herb. It is rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals. It is one of the best blood purifying herbs, aiding in detoxification of environmental pollutants prior to conception. Phytoestrogenic, may help protect body from xenohormones. May increase cervical mucous.
• Red Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus): Nutritive, high in vitamins and minerals. It is a uterine tonic, preparing the uterus for pregnancy and labor.
• Schisandra, fruit and seed (Schisandra chinensis): Adaptogen, supports healthy hormonal balance through endocrine system support. Promotes proper immune and stress response.
• Seaweed (variety of species): Extremely high in vitamins and minerals, including iodine, which is necessary for proper thyroid function. High in fiber for improved estrogen metabolism.
•  Yellow dock root (Rumex crispus): Stimulates bile production for healthy removal of toxins, supportive of liver health and is high in iron, which may help support adequate iron levels which is essential for proper blood formation.