Not all couples are able to easily conceive and as such, the fertility industry is growing rapidly with couples shelling out large amounts of money in hopes that they will be able to become pregnant. There are many factors that can contribute to having problems conceiving including health conditions, stress and substance abuse problems.
While medicinal approaches can lead to successful pregnancies, there are also many herbs that are found in nature that have long been used in ancient medicine in order to help promote healthy conception. Fertility herbs have been used in foods and teas for their natural substances that can affect the body in different ways to help promote pregnancy. Some work by reducing stress and bringing about relaxation to make conception less stressful. Some may work specifically on the reproductive systems to help stimulate their activity. Others yet work to stimulate the sense by functioning as aphrodisiacs to ensure that opportunities for conception are not lost.
There is little scientific evidence to support the use of herbs in a fertility tea. However, the practice has endured for thousands of years and still persists today. While most herbs are generally safe for use in a tea, talk to your health care provider before using them. Some herbs may interact with health conditions you may have or medications that you may take or have side effects that you may find unpleasant. Once you have received medical advice and determined that an herbal approach to healthy conception is for you, check out our list of the top ten herbs to use in a fertility tea to see if one of them may give you a baby boost.
1. Chasteberry
Chasteberry is widely used in herbal tea recipes for women because it helps regulate a woman’s hormones. Out of balance hormones can potentially adversely affect efforts to conceive and gently putting them back on track with chasteberry may be just what is needed. Chasteberry use must be stopped if pregnancy does occur, however.
2. Red Raspberry Leaf
The luteal phase of menstruation is the one associated with the implantation of an embryo, and some holistic specialists believe that red raspberry leaf can lengthen this period of time. In addition, the herb also makes a great addition to a fertility tea because it may help to strengthen the lining of the uterus.
3. False Unicorn Root
False unicorn may be useful in both men and women when conception has become challenging. It has been used for impotence in males and in females is thought to both help regulate the ovaries and ramp up fertility as well, making it an ideal herbal choice for both sexes in a fertility tea. False unicorn should not be taken by women who are already pregnant.
4. Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is one of the most widely used herbal remedies for menstruation in women which helps stimulate the ovaries, potentially lending a supportive boost to conception. Black cohosh is not appropriate all of the time however, and it is important to talk to a health care provider before using the herb.
5. Alfalfa
Alfalfa is considered a great addition to a fertility tea not because it directly stimulates or promotes conception but rather helps keep both male and female reproductive systems healthy. The healthier the reproductive organs are, the more easily conception can occur, hence alfalfa’s use in herbal tea recipes with conception in mind.
6. Red Clover
Known in the herbal community as a blood purifier, red clover is also thought to be a potent natural fertility booster. It helps regulate the reproductive system and provide essential nutrients to keep it healthy. Red clover does tend to take awhile in order to build up in the body to be used, so use over a couple month period may be necessary in order to take advantage of its healthful benefits.
7. Saw Palmetto
Although available in pills and capsules, saw palmetto may also be used in a fertility tea as it was for many hundreds of years. In folk medicine, saw palmetto was used for fertility and regulation of the reproductive systems in both men and women.
8. Stinging Nettle
Nettle boasts nutrients that women need to conceive and grow a healthy baby like calcium, iron and all important folic acid. Nettles are very nourishing to the reproductive system which can keep it healthy to make conception possible.
9. Damiana Leaf
Damiana can be used in a fertility tea for both men and women and medicinally it is thought to help regulate both reproductive systems. Nourishing benefits from essential natural compounds further the use of damiana for fertility.
10. Oatstraw
Oatstraw is useful when the act of conception may be what is hindering successful completion. The herb is considered both a natural aphrodisiac and a mild tonic used for stress and nerves. For those that are anxious and stressed, oatstraw tea can help make conception a pleasant and stress free experience.
