Herbs come in various forms, from teas and syrups to syrups, oils and tinctures (liquid extracts). Tinctures are concentrated herbal products made by steeping herbs in alcohol while oils can be used as rubs or added directly to food items.
Fenugreek can positively influence testosterone and estrogen levels in men and women, increasing sexual drive. Other herbal supplements that can boost sexual drive include Horny Goat Weed and Lepidium Meyenii.
Herbs for Menopause:
Menopause occurs as women's natural production of estrogen and progesterone drops over time, often resulting in hot flashes, pain during sex, difficulty sleeping and changes in vaginal size (1). While medications exist to treat these symptoms, many prefer herbal remedies for treatment instead.
Black cohosh, an herb related to buttercup that's native to eastern North America and widely cultivated for medicinal use, has shown great promise in treating menopausal symptoms - specifically hot flashes (2). Research suggests it helps ease menopausal-related hot flashes by binding and modulating estrogen receptors (3); plus it could even reduce night sweats that often accompany perimenopause (4).
Sage (Salvia officinalis) may help reduce hot flashes by decreasing estrogen levels circulating throughout your system and can be taken in tea form or capsule form (5).
Herbal remedies may interact with certain medicines, so it's wise to speak to your physician before beginning herbal therapies such as ginseng. Ginseng can interfere with blood pressure and cholesterol medications as well as interfere with antidepressant or sedative treatments and should not be used by people suffering from liver disease or hormone-herbal medicine for sexually long time.
Herbs for Fertility:
If you are having difficulty getting pregnant, herbal medicine could provide a safe and natural solution. Fertility herbs may boost hormone levels, improve sperm motility and increase chances of conception - they could even work well as complementary therapy alongside traditional infertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Women trying to conceive should consult with a naturopathic doctor or herbalist before beginning to use fertility herbs. A practitioner will be able to suggest the most suitable herbs for you condition and help determine the correct dosages, while providing additional complementary therapies, such as tracking basal body temperature changes and cervical mucus changes as indicators of when you will likely ovulate and pinpointing your fertile window.
Fertility herbs like maca, ashwagandha and red clover can provide both men and women with significant advantages to enhance reproductive health, from improved sperm motility in men to regulation of hormonal imbalances that could contribute to infertility.
Chinese herbal medicine is one of the most sophisticated systems available today. Traditional uses for Chinese herbs include prescribing balanced formulas to address overall health and fertility. According to one meta-analysis conducted, appropriate use of Chinese herbs has proven twice more likely to increase fertility within four months than without their use.
Herbs for Infertility:
When it comes to fertility herbs, working with a professional herbalist is of utmost importance. An herbalist will be able to assist in choosing appropriate remedies, determining dosage and making sure they don't interact with any medications you are currently taking. They may also help monitor ovulation symptoms to pinpoint your fertile window and increase chances of conception.
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) has proven itself effective at treating female infertility. Acting as a natural ovulation regulator and helping balance hormone levels to facilitate better menstruation cycles. Furthermore, this herb can also provide support during menopause by decreasing hot flashes and alleviating any painful hormonal changes that come with menopause.
Other fertility herbs considered beneficial include Chasteberry Extract (Vitex agnus-castus) and Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis). Both assist with hormonal balances during the Luteal Phase of your menstrual Cycle - specifically during 12-14 day post ovulation when your ovaries produce progesterone to maintain your uterus lining development.
Maca (Lepidium membranaceum) and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) can also provide assistance for fertility issues, helping increase sperm count, motility and quality in men while simultaneously improving women's reproductive health. Both herbs also act as natural aphrodisiacs while also sperm increase medicine enhancement benefits and mitigating stress effects on your body.
Herbs for Pregnancy:
Herbal preparations are widely utilized throughout pregnancy for various concerns. Commonly used herbs during gestation include echinacea, St John's Wort, nettle peppermint licorice wild yam meadowsweet. None have been shown to increase birth defects or adverse maternal outcomes; while studies indicate some herbs like Melissa officinalis (sage), red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus), or partus preparatory herbs may facilitate labor onset.
But more methodologically rigorous human studies are required to establish safe doses of these herbs, so until then women are advised to exercise caution when considering any such herbs - and to consult their midwife, physician or naturopathic doctor first before making their choice.
Some herbs should also be avoided during gestation, including yarrow (Achillea millefolium), yellow dock (Rumex crispum) and wild yam (Dioscorea villosa). Other plants have been classified by the Natural Medicines Database as having Insufficient Reliable Information Available and should therefore only be taken under medical advice or with the supervision of an herbalist/homeopath physician.
It should also be noted that certain herbal products have been known to interact negatively with prescription drugs - thus forcing women who take these medications to not take these products herbal medicine for premature ejaculation.
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