Fertility Herbs
In the past, procreation was an important moral and religious issue. For this reason herbs were sought to insure both male and female fertility. Some of the most popular sex herbs in the ancient history include anise, basil, carrot, salvia, gladiolus root, orchid bulbs, sage, sea fennel and turnips.
Nowadays there are a broad variety of fertility herbs available in the market. But before centering your attention to the many options available it is important to first understand fertility and its several causes.
Fertility and Infertility
Fertility is described as the ability of animals and humans to produce healthy offspring in abundance. Infertility on the other hand, is described as the inability to conceive or carry a child to delivery. The term is usually limited to situations where the couple has had intercourse regularly for one year without using birth control. Approximately 40% of reported cases of infertility are due to problems in the male; another 40% to problems in the female; the remaining 20% are of unknown cause or due to problems in both the male and female.
Infertility Causes
In male some of the causes for infertility could be: The absence, lack, or low quality of the sperm, which can be a result of a testicular factor like genetic cases, and many other causes that can be acquired in a male’s daily life, like the use of certain drugs, exposure to radiations, or even a bad diet. On the other hand, if it is due to a post-testicular factor it could be due to malformations in the deferent conducts, or to a vasectomy. When it comes to the quality and quantity of the sperm, the life style of the male is mostly of influence. For instance, alcohol and drugs can temporally or permanently reduce the quality of the sperm.
On the other hand, factors that influence a women’s ability to fertilize can be cervical or uterine. Cervical refers to functional or anatomic alterations, which can interfere the way the sperm follows, from the vagina until the fallopian tubes. Uterine Factor refers to malformations, or benign tumors.
Other factors can be alterations to the tubes, or the space of the ovaric tube; like for instance infections or inflammations of the tubes. An endocrine factor like a polycystic ovary is also possible.
Like it is for men, infertility factors related to a female’s life style like it is stress, diet, and the consumption of certain drugs or alcohol, can alter her hormonal balance and later her infertility chances.
Infertility Treatments
Fortunately for seeking parents, there are several medical treatments for those unable to conceive. Hormonal/Drug treatments may be available for women with polycystic ovaries; nevertheless, the three most popular infertility treatments are: Induction, In Vitro Fertilization, and Artificial Insemination. The election of one or another technique depends on the factor that causes infertility.
Popular Fertility Herbs
For those seeking to try a more natural way before starting on a drug or medical fertility treatment there is a wide variety of fertility herbs options to look and research on:
- Peruvian Maca for instance, is a root that grows in the high mountains of the Andes, which is proven to help the endocrine system in the process of balancing hormones and substances, which in consequence help both the male and female body in achieving the correct endocrine balance needed to succeed in fertilization.
- Vuka-Vuka is an ancient African natural herbal remedy claimed to “combine the powers of traditional African healing, wisdom, unique herbs & natural ingredients”. Vuka Vuka seems to be a centuries old traditional African remedy used to treat impotence and increase vitality and fertility. Unfortunately there is little research on this product and for being a mixture of herbs and ingredients it is harder to research on each of the components.
- Damiana Leaf is also a herb considered by many to be an aphrodisiac. Between its properties, it is said to increase the sperm count in men and to strengthen the egg in women. Damiana Leaf helps to restore the natural sexual capacities and functions, especially for the exhausted body. Damiana is also said to work as a stimulating nerve tonic used for debility, depression, and lethargy. Used for female disorders as it helps to balance female hormones. Damiana Leaf may be used to alleviate hot flashes in menopausal women and as a mild tonic laxative for children.
When researching about fertility herbs
When selecting a fertility enhancer herb it is important to study the components, effects, side effects, as well as the way they work in your body. Most websites of manufacturers will provide you with vast information. If you suffer from any condition, or are taking any medication it is important you ask about contraindications.
Nature provides us with a great variety of foods that can nourish our bodies and help us live a more fulfilling live, but it is important to recognize that not all systems react the same to all foods and therefore we need to be cautious about any substance we decide to ingest.