Sunday, December 31, 2006

Herbs for Fertility

Herbs for Infertility, Anyone?
By
Low Jeremy


Since 1237 A. D. when the first formal study of the herbs for curing infertility was conducted in China, contemporary man still finds great uses with this ancient knowledge.

While many may smear at the idea of using strange leaves and other plant species, they still deserve to be given proper places in the medical world.

With over 150 known herbs for curing infertility, it is impossible that an infertile person would not respond to one. Not all herbal medicines come in herb forms. In fact, herbs for infertility treatment are transformed into some forms that others would not typify as something organic. The most common of which are the tablets, pills, decoctions and powders which are as potent as those that are in their original modes.

With all herbs, there are too few that have therapeutic value as approved by the drugs authority and the medical circles. Nonetheless, this does not dispute the effectivity of the herbs. In fact, it is continuously closing into the medical community that the herbs and other alternative medicines must be used in conjunction with the western approach, thus bringing a balance for more effective outcomes.

For our common senses, we still cannot readily accept that beliefs such as energies, bad spirits and the likes should be dealt and used as foundations for cure in medicine. Well, such are the reasons why they are duly called "alternatives". But the matter of fact is, you need not believe in their underlying principles, you just have to have faith that they may "help" cure you.

Some of the more commonly used herbs as cure for infertility are the Xi Xian Cao (Siegesbeckia) and Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus).

During a recent study in China, these two herbs when combined may induce the effect of releasing the blockage in the fallopian tube, which is a major problem among infertile women.

This is the result of having some form of infection or inflammation, scar, excess mucous and thickening of the tissue that lines the tubes. As observed during the study, women who were put into experimentation responded within 10 days, all showing the effects (at a rate of 10 days!) that may not be had even with the highest of the technologies that we employ here in the west.

The herbs aside, essential oils may also prove helpful when undergoing alternative treatment along with the use of acupuncture. In fact, some authorities agree that acupuncture is enough to cure the cause of the infertility. However, to be safe let us presume that we need to use other techniques to benefit from the results.



This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Infertility, please visit http://infertility.articlekeep.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Natural Fertility - Acupuncture

Fertility Acupuncture Specialists - Painless and Cost Effective
By
Chelsea Aubin

There are many benefits to searching out a Fertility Acupuncture Specialists, as this form of therapy has been proven to help increase fertility in certain situations. It is a simple, natural, and affordable treatment option for infertility. It appears to work the best with problems involving endometriosis and has been used since ancient times and has been proven safe and effective.

There are many studies that have had very positive results as to whether or not acupuncture helps with fertility problems. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic have been investigating treatments and have had good results but there still is much more research needed to determine when and how the acupuncture therapy works the best.

Fertility Acupuncture Specialists perform their procedure by placing slender needles on certain points of the body and these points allow the flow of life energy, or chi, to flow properly. This method has been developed and perfected by the ancient Chinese and they have found the best results from acupuncture have been when it is used to treat the pain of endometriosis, and not used in the traditional body spots that have been used to help infertility. This brings hope to many women who have found that pain from endometriosis infringes on becoming pregnant. Endometriosis is a very common problem and results in thousands of partial and total hysterectomies each year. But whether a woman suffers from endometriosis or another form of infertility problem, finding a Fertility Acupuncture Specialists can help.

Acupuncture is performed by well-trained, licensed professionals in alternative medicine clinics or holistic centers. You can find these clinics all across America or in other countries as well. You can find one that is located in your area by searching online or looking in your telephone book's yellow pages under "Alternative Medicine", or a similar listing. When compared to other infertility treatments, acupuncture proves very cost effective.

Acupuncture has been accepted for centuries as a therapy for infertility and is safe and affordable. If you are experiencing difficulty becoming pregnant acupuncture therapy is worth a try. There is no need to fear the idea of having fine needles placed on your body. Acupuncture is painless and quite relaxing and if the fertility problem is related to endometriosis then consulting your nearest Fertility Acupuncture Specialists may be the most painless, cost effective, and trouble-free treatment available.




Learn more about taking charge of your fertility and more about fertility specialists at http://www.fertility-help.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chelsea_Aubin

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Influence Fertility with Common Herbs and Plants

Influence Fertility with Common Herbs and Plants
By
Chelsea Aubin


Some common plants that can influence fertility are red clover, partridge berry, liferoot, wild carrot and wild yam. You can grow these, or buy them at any health food store. Some other plants that have been known to increase or decrease fertility are oat straw, jack-in-the-pulpit, and parsley.

Found in fields and along the road, red clover is a favored plant to increase fertility. It's blossoms stay a bright pink from mid-summer to fall. The flower tops are harvested and either dried for medical use, or eaten as is.

The raw blossoms are often used in salads or cooked with grains, like rice. Another way to benefit from this fertility enhancing plant is to add one ounce of the dried blossoms to a quart size canning jar of boiling water. Seal and let sit at room temperature for at least four hours. To improve the taste, dried peppermint has also been added to the boiling water.

Many women have reported having successful pregnancies thanks to drinking a cup or more a day of the special flower and water mix. This mix can help even if there is scaring of the fallopian tubes, irregular menses, or just "unexplained" infertility. This herb does not work right away. It may take up to a couple months before any effects are noted, and up to a year or two for pregnancy to occur.

Partridge berry, sometimes called "twin flower" can most often be found blanketing the forest floors in evergreen. In the spring, when it flowers, there are two flowers per bud. Then, when the berries form, the two flowers fall off, leaving one berry to ripen. Definitely an interesting icon for fertility with the symbolism of two flowers forming one berry. Partridge berry leaves can make for a good salad or bean dressing. Fill a small jar with fresh leaves, adding in apple cider vinegar until the jar is full. Then seal the jar with wax paper and rubber band, labeling it with the date. Let the jar sit for at least six weeks before you enjoy.

A powerful medicine lies in all parts of the wildflower known as Liferoot. Liferoot is found in swamps and other moist places with rich soil. The flowers and leaves are known to regulate hormone production, relieve menstrual pains, improve fertility, and increase libido. The plant should be taken in small doses at least 14 times a month for results.

Wild Carrot or Queen Anne's lace is a proven anti-fertility herb that can usually be found on road sides. It is closely related to carrot, as well as parsley, dill, caraway, anise, and celery. Wild Carrot is also related to a now extinct plant, whose seeds were once used in ancient Greek and Roman times as birth control. The seeds of wild carrot are collected in late fall. A small study has shown that when eating a teaspoon full of wild carrot seeds, the effectiveness of it was 99%, and with virtually no side effects.

There is a danger, however, of confusing wild carrot, with poison hemlock. Poison Hemlock does not smell or tastes of carrot, yet people are warned to be careful. Something to look for is that Wild Carrot's leaves are hairy, while poison hemlock's leaves are smooth.

Wild yam has also been tested as an anti-fertility herb. Since it was originally used in birth control pills, taking wild yam extract in large doses blocks conception. However, when wild yam is taken in small doses it actually increases fertility. When taken daily, the hormone like substances found in the root convert into actual hormones like progesterone, which decreases fertility, or LH and FSH, which increase fertility.




Fertility Help, Advice, Tips and Guidance at http://www.fertility-help.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chelsea_Aubin

Friday, November 17, 2006

PCOS Fertility

PCOS and Fertility
By Louise Parker


Unfortunately, one of the most common side effects of living with PCOS is infertility. Since the ovaries are not able to function properly due to a lack of hormones, having consistent and regular periods are uncommon. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to get pregnant and most sufferers with PCOS struggle to fall pregnant without the help of various fertility medications. These medications come in both natural and drug forms and each have their own side effects. As a last resort, in vitro fertilization has been recommended if natural conception isn’t possible. The best thing a PCOS sufferer can do is to speak to their doctor about what fertility treatment is best for them.

One of the most popular drugs used for sufferers of PCOS is called clomiphene. This drug is often prescribed to women that haven’t had their periods for an extended length of time. Clomiphene, in addition to hormone therapy, has been successful in inducing menstruation for many PCOS sufferers so that pregnancy becomes possible. Studies have shown that between 70-90 percent of women who take the drug ovulate, with a pregnancy rate varying from 30-70 percent.

As with all drugs, there are side effects associated with clomiphene. Users have reported hot flashes, abdominal discomfort (already common in women with PCOS) and blurred vision.

Another popular treatment is hormone injections with hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG can trigger ovulation in women who don’t produce enough of the hormone to trigger it themselves.

A final alternative is what is called gonadotropin therapy. This is also a form of hormone injection that can trick the body into ovulation. This treatment has the highest rate of pregnancy (60%), but 35% of those pregnancies have been shown to end in miscarriage. Also, with this hormone treatment, the likelihood of a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more) is much greater. A multiple pregnancy is considered high-risk for the mother and the babies.

There are natural alternatives to PCOS-induced infertility. While doctors may disagree on the effectiveness of these treatments, if you wish to keep your body as chemical-free as possible, you might want to take these methods into consideration.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of healing pain, stress and pretty much everything else with the use of thin, sharp needles. It is based on the idea that the body should have a balance in the energy that flows through it to remain healthy. If you are experiencing pain or sickness, than your body is not properly balanced. Acupuncture is used to realign the body back to health.

Homeopathic healing is another popular alternative. Trained Homeopaths look to treat the symptoms instead of the conditions since PCOS sufferers all tend to have their own unique individual symptoms. Before any remedies are given, a persons complete family history, their medical history and things like moods, likes, dislikes, sexual history and emotional state are taken into consideration.

The use of herbs as fertility drugs has been around since the beginning of time. Herbs such as liferoot, chasteberry, partridgeberry and red clover show incredible potential to help in fertility treatments.

No matter what path you choose, please know that no treatment is absolute and that the path to parenthood may be a tough one. Be patient and stay positive and you might hear the pitter-patter of little feet sooner rather than later.


Louise Parker has an interest in PCOS. For further information on PCOS please visit PCOS or PCOS Symptoms .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Parker






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Sunday, November 05, 2006

Natural Fertility

Natural Ways To Improve Fertility
By Michael Russell



Having a baby is such an amazing experience and one of the happiest times of a couple's life. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to fall pregnant straight away and having problems falling pregnant can be very devastating.

Infertility is when a couple or person is unable to conceive a baby. For fertility to occur a man must produce healthy and strong sperm and the woman must produce healthy eggs. Fertility treatments can be very expensive so it could be beneficial for couples having difficulty conceiving a baby to look at natural ways to improve their fertility. Good health, diet and exercise can all play an important part in fertility.

One of the most important steps in improving fertility is to know when you are most fertile. A woman is only fertile while she is ovulating, so there is only a period of a few days in which she can fall pregnant. A woman can monitor her body core temperature to find out if she is ovulating as your temperature increases when your body is about to release an egg. To increase your chances of conception it is important to have sexual intercourse just before the egg is released.

Your diet can also play an important part in your body's fertility. A balanced diet helps to nourish the reproductive system and regulate hormones. It also helps to maintain a healthy weight; women who are underweight or overweight may have a harder time becoming pregnant.

Vitamin C and antioxidants are very important to have in your diet especially when you are trying to conceive, they help to reduce stress on eggs and the reproductive system as well as boost sperm motility and help prevent sperm defects.

Calcium and Vitamin D and Zinc are also very useful to help boost male fertility.

There are also some foods that should be cut back or preferably avoided altogether when trying to conceive and these are as follows:

Caffeine - can reduce both male and female fertility.
Alcohol - can reduce fertility by 50%

It is also important to exercise combined with a nutritious diet to maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight can throw the female fertility cycle out of balance. Low impact exercise is preferable such as walking or swimming.

Herbs have been used to promote fertility for many, many years. Don't undertake herbal therapy on your own; be sure to consult a qualified naturopath.

Dong Quai - is a Chinese fertility herb, it helps to balance estrogen levels and improve chances of implantation.

Chasteberry - helps increase fertility by balancing the sex hormones. It does this by stimulating the pituitary gland, which is the gland responsible for producing estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating, even some prescription medications can all be harmful not only to a baby but can also reduce chances of fertility. Smoking of Cannabis can also greatly reduce the amount of sperm a male produces, by up to 50%.

The creation of another life is truly a miracle, especially when you see how difficult it can be to conceive one.

Michael Russell - Your Independent guide to Infertility


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell








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Fertility Herb Blog

Hi,

I'm training to be a herbalist and I am particularly interested in fertility herbs. I hope to share my findings here with you.

Lucy




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