Herbs for fertility: herbalist Ashley Apple gets down to business with tonifying reproductive herbs.

For many women, the call to motherhood reaches deep within our souls. Our wombs are not only home to new life but also all of our creative manifestations. To embrace fertility means to own our feminity, our abundance, and our infinite source of power to create and manifest love and nurturing on every level. The rise of infertility may be due to the increasing use of genetically engineered/modified foods, environmental pollution, poor diet, and hormonal imbalances. Building a foundation for providing a warm, happy, healthy home for new life can be achieved with the use of medicinal plants that tonify, regulate and balance reproductive cycles.

I have seen women who worked with diet alone conceive when previous efforts were fruitless. The modern diet consists of poor quality fats and genetically modified and highly refined nutrient deficient foods. Our consumption of seedless fruits and veggies is on the rise, trading flavor and fertility for convenience, So many foods are being genetically manipulated to be infertile, bearing sterile seeds. The life force of the food we eat becomes the substance that we nourish our bodies with, One of the first things a woman can do is examine the quality and energy of the food she is eating. To promote a rich, fertile womb, I encourage woman to consume foods that symbolize new growth such as seeds and nuts. Eat organic fruits and vegetables that are bursting with seeds, the symbol of life. Reduce highly refined food products like white flour and sugar, which have been shown to suppress the immune system and rob the body of valuable vitamins and minerals.

Herbs exhibit strong healing affects on the reproductive organs by increasing vitality and circulation, restoring the body to a state of balance. Many herbs demonstrate a strong influence over the endocrine system, helping women regulate erratic hormone surges. Some of my favorite herbs for fertility are the "weeds" growing in your backyard. These tend to be nourishing herbs, rich in vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. They bring life force into the body, remineralizing and rejuvenating every cell. Other herbs aid in regulating hormones by nourishing the endocrine glands that are responsible for ensuring the proper estrogen/progesterone balance.

Nettles (Urtica spp.)

I love nettles! They are an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C. Nettles gently nourish the body, providing nutrients that support the hormonal system. Nettles help build nutrient rich blood, providing iron and vitamin K. Make tea of the fresh or dried plant to rejuvenate and tonify the uterus.

Red Clover (Trifolium pretense)

Susun Weed's favorite nutritive herb for fertility! Rich in nutrients, red clover provides support for the entire body. Red Clover has an alkalizing affect, which is very beneficial in balancing the overly acidic conditions from a modern diet.

Oat Straw (Avena sativa)

One of the best remedies for supporting the nervous system, oat straw is helpful for infertility with depression. Stress and anxiety are often present with infertility, which exhausts the body. The womb likes to be relaxed, nourished, and loved before it is ready to cultivate new life. Oat straw has a reputation as a mild aphrodisiac, opening the heart and intensifying sensation.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

This excellent tonic herb is high in mineral content, with a preference for supporting the liver. By promoting optimal liver function, dandelion helps women regulate and normalize hormone production.

Dong Quai (Angelica sinesis)

Over a long period of time, dong quai is excellent at strengthening the uterus and increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs. Blood is the delivery truck bringing shipments of vitamins, minerals and hormones. Increasing pelvic circulation can also relieve congestion and stagnation. Due to its blood building properties, dong quai is great for women exhibiting deficiency symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, and irregular periods.

Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens)

A powerful plant ally for infertility associated with hormonal imbalance. Irregular menstration and painful periods have been successfully treated after several months of regular use. It is a valuable plant for reproductive tract weakness and poor uterine tone.

Wild-Yam (Dioscorea villosa)

One of the highest concentrated sources of plant steroids, wild yam expresses strong effects on hormone production. It helps regulate the estrogen /progesterone ratio, normalizing imbalance. Wild yam has an affinity for the liver, providing nutrients required by the body to synthesize the sex hormones. It supports the adrenal glands, helping the body regulate the proper production of hormones and steroids.

There are many herbs that have a history of traditional use by women for reproductive disorders. They provide a safe, effective alternative to drug therapies that run a high risk of side effects. The plants are our allies, bringing potent life force and energy into our bodies, nourishing us from within. It is important to remember the joy and love we receive, not only in bringing a child into this world, but spending lots of quality time trying!

Ashley Apple is a Holistic Clinical Herbalist providing wellness counseling with herbs and nutrition and a focus on women's health. She teaches classes and workshops designed to empower women and remind us of our inner healer and is available for personal consultations at Namaste Yoga Healing Center, 57 Broadway, Asheville, NC. 828-713-3505.