Helping Infertility with Chinese Herbal Medicines

73d3eaf6-8ff7-4636-9d3b-e1827fc909deHerbal medicines can offer a more gentle aid to fertility problems than other help you may seek. Chinese herbal physicians have developed medicines, which throughout history have helped women improve their chances of reproducing. They do this by harmonising the endocrine system which regulates the menstrual cycle.

The ovulatory phase or the periovulatory period is referred to when talking about the time surrounding ovulation. The herbs have varying effects. They may be effective on the ovulatory phase but can also regulate mucus secretion or help produce the right levels of progesterone or help stimulate the uterus. The herbs can help with your health and aid fertility in multiple ways at the same time. Chinese herbs that produce phytoestrogenic activity can also benefit the ovaries whilst they impact on the central nervous system.

Each herb has its own characteristics and effects. Combining different herbs increases their potency and can also minimise any unwanted effects. A mixture of different herbs will be prescribed and these blends are based on formulas that have been tried and tested for centuries. As an example, Psoralea fruit (Bu Gu Zhi), Chinese Dodder seeds (Tu Si Zi) and Eucommia (Du Zhong) have been found to lower FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone).

Chinese herbs in different forms: dried, capsules, tablets, creams and ointments. The dry herbs are available by prescription from a practitioner. They are incredibly powerful and can be harmful if the same mixture is repeatedly prescribed over a long period of time. Practitioners will alter the formula regularly to create the maximum effect of the medicine and also minimise any risks to your health. The dried herbs are more effective and often taste quite bitter because they come from roots, tree bark, tubers, flowers, seeds and stems of plants.

Chinese herbal medicine should not contain any endangered species. There is an overlap with ingredients used for men and women but generally, they will be different. With male infertility it is usually the case that there is some kind of kidney deficiency and in these cases kidney tonifying herbs are prescribed like the herbal formula Kidney Qi Pill.

Clinical studies carried out in China show that about 70% of all cases of both male and female infertility treated by Chinese herbs resulted in pregnancy or restored fertility.

Once pregnancy is detected the fertility herbs are usually discontinued.  There are certain Chinese herbs that can be taken during pregnancy which can help with morning sickness and boost the general health of the expectant mother. It is reported that labour can be eased by the correct combination and application of herbs and acupuncture.

Traditional Chinese medicine is holistic; it treats the whole person (mind, body, spirit), not just the illness.

Conditions often treated by Chinese medicine:

Allergies like asthma, Colds and flu, Digestive disorders, High blood pressure

Immune enhancement, Infertility/menopause, PMS/menstrual problems

Pain and injury, Arthritis/back pain/sciatica, Skin disorders

Stress/anxiety/depression/insomnia,

Addiction: smoking/alcohol/drugs

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