Infertility has become a larger concern over the past two decades despite the overall improvement in human health and living standards. For couples who wish to conceive and have been trying for a while, they can improve their chances by using certain Chinese herbs for fertility over 40 years. Chinese history is vast and covers the field of medicine for the betterment of society.
There is a long tradition of imperial doctors using Chinese herbal medicine to enhance the fertility potential of the emperor and his wife. The royal doctors used Chinese herbs as a means to help the emperors in conceiving the heir to their throne. There are various formulations that are used for the treatment of fertility that are for men and women.
One thing to keep in mind is, when it comes to fertility enhancing by the use of herbs, there are endless claims and possibilities. Choosing the right herbs or a treatment that best suits you could be a daunting and painstakingly difficult task. Most people often end up choosing the most expensive options, simply because they feel it is the best treatment. They often choose herbs along with supplements which may or may not assist the goal of conceiving.
If you are unsure which route to follow, then it’s best to find a qualified practitioner of Chinese medicine or Naturopath to assist you in choosing the best herbs that could give you highest chances. However, in case it is not an option for you to find professional guidance, you can keep on reading this article as we will try and cover some basic Chinese herbs that could help middle aged couples over 40 for their fertility concerns.
It is essential to note that similar to conventional medicines, one treatment could not work for everyone. This means that a specific herb, if successful and effective for a couple may not be the best choice for you. To address this concern, try incorporating different herbs in to your fertility plan and they may end up boosting fertility and conceiving chances
Let’s explore some of the more common and effective herbs that affect fertility and how they may work.
Maca (Lepidieum mayenii)
This herb has been used for thousands of years as a libido enhancing and fertility treatment. The herb acts as adaptogen, which helps the body in case of severe stress but it can have an effect on both men and women’s androgens.
Although it is not clear if this herb directly affects the level of testosterone or it acts simply as a receptor. It is known to have a definite effect on fertility based on the study of mice.
Vitex Chaste
This herb is known as a popular treatment of resolving PMS and handling issues pertaining to menstrual cycle in women. The herb acts on the pituitary gland which is located inside the brain and increases the surge of Luteinizing Hormone’s strength, that triggers ovulation. The process strengthens ovulation which can also result in progesterone production.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum)
Cinnamon although considered a common household ingredient that is used to add extra flavors to your favorite meals, has been used in Chinese medicine for generations as it can immensely improve fertility in both women and men alike.
Chinese medicine practitioners use the bark of cinnamon (spice) to help raise the yang energy by boasting the internal heat levels. Off course the benefits of cinnamon are not limited to ancient practices; even the modern day Science has explored the vast benefits of using cinnamon to improve the quality and volume of sperm production in men. There have been findings about cinnamon affecting the insulin levels in our bodies and therefore women suffering from metabolic syndrome could also benefit from this amazing herb.
Tribulus terrestris
The herb used by Chinese medicine practitioners to treat fertility issues in both female and male patients. Tribulus Terrestris is known to have amazing healing qualities in women who have PCOS and irregular ovulation. The herb can help by normalizing the cycle and can increase the rate of conception when taken by both partners especially if the anti-sperm antibodies in the couple have high levels. The use of this herb has demonstrated improvement in sperm production, motility and count.
Which Treatment is Right For You?
Although we have covered some of the many Chinese herbs that are used in medicinal practices for generations, it is essential to note that these herbs are taken as part of a wider more holistic approach of Chinese medicine in which the body is treated as a whole and the herbs are combined to increase their effectiveness. The use of these magical herbs in the Chinese medical practices is one of the most comprehensive and effective herbal systems known to man. These medications while taken in certain calculated formulations help restore the body as a unit and thus aids in increasing fertility. Modern day research has shown that the approach used in Chinese herbal treatment can start showing positive effects to a person’s fertility in as little as 4 months. What is most important is to get properly evaluated by an experienced practitioner and diagnostician of Chinese Herbal medicine. There are hundreds of herbs in the Chinese medicine that are each unique and act differently in solo as compared to when used in conjunction with other herbs.
While Chinese herbal medicine itself could be used as a comprehensive and stand-alone treatment all by itself, research suggests combining it with other treatment techniques like Asst. Reproduction Technology (ART) or acupuncture. The modern research also indicates that for best results, Chinese herbal medication could be taken in tandem with other fertility drugs such as gonadotropins.
After getting your correct clinical examination and diagnosis, you need to focus on the second most important thing and that is to choose only high quality genuine supplements and herbs that are not too old or diluted. The fresher they are and the closer they are to their original purest form, the more effective they can be in treating issues. Unfortunately, the markets are filled with wrongly labeled, false products that are either contaminated or they are non-genuine which raises a big red flag about their actual efficacy. Most of the best known herb brands are available only via licensed professionals, and since FDA is not involved in the regulation of supplements, there are high chances of finding products with a lot of quality inconsistencies.
Regulating The Irregularities of The Human Body
As mentioned earlier, the theory of Chinese medicine was established far before invasive treatments were established and dissection of the human anatomy became a norm. Since the approach of Chinese medicine is to treat the entire anatomy as a machine in which certain irregularities could take place if one component of the machine fails to work in its proper capacity. The aim therefore is to treat the irregularity of that component and thus treating the underlying imbalance.
Chinese herbs are most commonly combined to produce a synergistically acting formula specific for the individual. With the assistance of a doctor of Chinese medicine you can determine the organ systems that may be out of balance and customize an herbal formula to addresses these imbalances.