Chinese herbs have a long reputed history of treating infertility in women as well as men. Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) is gaining popularity in aiding fertility issues and enhancing fertility in both men and women using natural methods in last decades. According to the University of Adelaide, the success rates and positive outcomes have made Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) as the most natural and holistic alternative treatment to IVF (In vitro Fertilization) the conventional medical fertility enhancement.
Chinese Traditional Medicine for Fertility
To be precise, no individual or specific herb is considered specially useful and effective for promoting fertility. In fact, more than 150 different natural and organic herbs are usually provided with complex formulas comprising of 15 or more ingredients, to be used in the treatment of infertility for resolving functional or organic issues that cause infertility. The combinations of the formulae have varied from each other over centuries and are based on existing theories and available resources. However, the formulas for women and men are always different but tend to overlap in the ingredients used for treating infertility. Most of the prominent materials of Chinese herbs are usually derived from roots, barks, leaves, flowers, and fruits.
The Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) treatments have become significantly popular in Western countries as more and more couples find it out how effective, safe and better they are at firsthand. More than a quarter of the world’s total population regularly using Chinese herbs as a part of their health care routine especially for aiding fertility and Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) is the only form of classical medicine and treatment for them.
Effectiveness of Chinese Traditional Medicine to Improve Fertility
Well treating ailments for better health is a common goal of both Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) as well as Conventional Medicine or IVF. Both ways of treatment have the ideas on the disease in itself, etiology of disease and the process used to treat, recover and maintain wellness are carried out differently. The Western medicine physicians and doctors learns that diseases and ailments should be cured by prescribing medicine or opting invasive and if needed dangerous surgical involvement. However, the physicians trained in TCM focus on healing and curing the patient not by treating the disease but by treating the entire person by focusing on patient’s state of health using necessary combinations of Chinese herbs.
For treating fertility issues in females, the key therapeutic elements in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) are emphasized on restoring balance and reducing stress along with regulating hormones and menstruation cycle. Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) are very familiar with the fact that most of the cases of infertility arises from a problem that are more functional not structural. While, Western medicine treatments and techniques like IVF are not only interfering and expensive but are also stressful for the patients sometimes and stress is not at all a favourable condition in achieving a healthy pregnancy.
Fertility treatment and management has been extensively analysed and studied which has been well-developed in Chinese medicine. Doctors and physicians in modern China have asserted according to their reports that up to 70% success rate has been achieved in treating both female and male infertility with Chinese herbs and the outcomes of broad scale clinical trials are also mentioned in Chinese medical journals according to the valid reports. Hundreds and thousands of various types of herbs are being used frequently in the treatment of infertility and sometimes given in complex combination of formulas comprised of several ingredients if needed.
Herbal medicines are often used in combinations with acupuncture, massage, specified diet and lifestyle changes for treating fertility in men and women. Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) techniques for treating infertility are relatively non-interfering and offer a better success rate at significantly less cost. Chances of achieving pregnancy with Chinese herbs are 3-5 times greater than with conventional medical treatment and therapies. Herbal medications are almost twice more effective as compared to IVF according to a large study reported by University of Adelaide. The study on natural Chinese herb effectiveness for treating fertility issues involved 1851 women, looking into the efficacy of medicinal herbs and comparing them with conventional medicine treatments for infertility. The researchers and experts finally landed over the conclusion that Chinese medicine and herb diagnosis with syndrome differentiation were supporting to successful treatment of infertility in women.
How Chinese Herbs Boost Fertility?
Chinese medicines and treatment theory works on human body according to the concept of holistic balance. The primary goal of TCM is establishing the organs that are out of balance and treat the imbalance mechanism. Chinese herbs work on all organs effectively related to the fertility issues for both men and women.
The uterus is focused when it comes to TCM because the function of the organ is storing blood and creating life. There are three organs that are directly related with the uterus and those are the liver, kidney and the heart. The liver is responsible for the regulation and nourishment, the kidneys for storing fertility potential and the heart regulate the vessels that supply blood to the uterus. Chinese herbs such as Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong), Cordyceps (Dong Chong Xia Cao), Japanese Teasel Root (Xu Duan) and Chinese Fox Glove root (Shu Di Huang) increase the quality of eggs as well as support the pregnant mother. The human mind is associated with heart and the herbs that work for heart will have the positive effect on human mind too. Such nourishing herbs are Arbor Vitae Seed (Bai Zi Ren), Longan Fruit Flesh (Long Yan Rou), Polygonum Vine (e Jiao Teng), Mimosa Tree Bark (He Huan Pi) and Sour Jujube Seed (Suan Zao Ren). The function of liver is to maintain the cyclic fertile rhythm of the menstruation or menstrual cycle. It is highly essential to maintain a regular cycle of approximately 28-30 days with ovulation that with occurring 14 days before the next menstruation in order to maximize the chances of conceiving. The natural Chinese herbs such as Chinese Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao), Chinese Angelica Root (Dang Gui) and White Peony root (Bai Shao are used to regulate and normalize the menstrual cycle.
In short the natural Chinese herbs increase the chances of a viable pregnancy and fertility by following ways-
- Regulating hormones by treating the conditions like PCOS by encouraging healthy menstruation and increasing the number of follicles production
Increasing the sperm count and motility - Increasing the function of ovary with more viable eggs
- Improving blood flow to the uterus
- Treating and countering the side effects of western medical treatment and drugs used in IVF
- Depressing the uterine contraction reducing the chances of miscarriage
- Increasing energy levels by improving sleep and reducing stress.
Natural Herbs to Increase Fertility
Fertility term is both for men and women but in most of the cases women undergo major complications regarding conceiving baby landing on several clinical tests and medications. Improving and increasing fertility is a matter of long process that needs to be treated from the root that is hormonal imbalance, stress, irregular menstrual cycle, abnormal menstruation, lack of sleep and low energy levels. Here are some of the best and effective natural herbs to increase fertility for sure with maximum chances of getting pregnant without any side effects as seen in conventional medicine treatment and techniques.
- Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow)
This natural herb helps to restore and re-establish the proper fertility status as it treats abnormal menstrual cycles and cramps by improving the blood supply dilating the reproductive organs’ capillaries and tones the uterine walls. The antiseptic ingredients present in the herb cure vaginal and urinary infections and it also helps achieving the appropriate pitch for the fertilized eggs implantation.
- Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice Root)
This herb is a natural remedy for increasing and stimulating fertility activating the estrogen effect that counteracts the harmful and side effects of xenoestrogens to which we are exposed to every day. This herb also creates a great hormonal balance in women planning for a baby.
- Capsella Bursa (Shepherd’s Purse)
This herb has multiple active ingredients that are very efficient for treating excessive menstrual flows because the herb has its haemostatic and astringent properties that restore the normal function of the uterus. This natural herb is useful for muscle atrophy as it is an effective treatment for bleeding fibroids and also helps to fortify and tone the uterine walls, increasing the fertility and chances of conceiving by preventing uterine haemorrhages or miscarriages.
- Red Clover
Red clover is an excellent natural fertility herb that is high in calcium and magnesium that is highly important in treating and curing a woman’s inability to conceive. This herb is an alkalizing herb that is crucial for balancing hormones to cure all fertility issues.
- Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose Oil)
This Chinese herb has an excellent effect on fertility as it assists in improving the condition of the cervix creating a suitable environment for the fertilized egg naturally to develop in and women who are trying to conceive or get pregnant should use this herb until the period of ovulation.
- Stinging Nettle
This natural herb tones and nourishes the uterus promoting the strength of kidneys and adrenal glands. This herb is great for preparing a woman’s body for pregnancy and sustaining the embryo once the conception initiates.
- Dong Quai
Dong quai is a natural herb to increase blood circulation to the uterus as it is rich in iron which is highly beneficial for proper blood formation. This herbal remedy also tones and strengthens the uterus by regulating hormonal control and balance improving the timings of the menstrual cycle and curing all fertility complications.
- Mugwort
Mugwort is a natural and traditional herb used worldwide for encouraging menstruation in women with amenorrhea issues. Mugwort herb is a mild uterine stimulant also supporting healthy digestion and aiding in ingestion of vitamins and minerals. Its mild nervine effect helps in relieving stress and anxiety which is a crucial reason behind poor fertility in women.
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