When it comes to modern fertility, shouldn’t we have more tools than ever to increase our chances of having a successful pregnancy?
But sis, it’s no secret that as you age, achieving your fertility goals becomes more difficult. I see so many women within the Tam Inspires community dealing with conditions such as chronic PMS, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, uterine fibroids, and other infertility issues. Not to mention the amount of women in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s who are struggling to conceive with no physical explanation as to why.
That is why it’s so important to start supporting your fertility now if you are healing from infertility issues or getting older.
As a certified herbalist, I believe that combining conventional medicine with natural holistic alternatives gives you the best chance for a healthy pregnancy.
But why are so many women experiencing fertility issues in the first place?
Sis, that answer has to do with the age of your ovaries…
Your reproductive health correlates to your overall health
According to an article from CNN Health, your ovaries age twice as fast as the rest of the organs in your body. That is why it’s less and less likely that you’ll conceive naturally after age 30.
Unsurprisingly, this also puts women at risk for both infertility and menopausal health issues if their ovaries are not in great shape while they’re young. For example, studies have shown that women who experience menopause later in life, meaning their ovaries degenerated slower, tend to live longer overall.
The hormonal changes you experience throughout your life play a large role in your overall health and longevity…so ladies, take care of your hormones!
Slowing the rate at which your ovaries degenerate can help increase your chances of having a successful pregnancy, as well as promote better health further down the road.
How can herbalism help support fertility?
One way to start supporting reproductive health holistically is through herbalism. There are a variety of herbs from different traditions around the world that ancient cultures have used to support women’s fertility.
A supportive herbal protocol can help in three ways…
Building Blood & Improving Circulation
Balancing Hormones
Improving Uterine Tonicity
After reading this amazing interview with herbalist Roy Upton, I had to share with my JUJU mamas the 3 herbs he recommends to support your fertility…
Dong Quai
Dong Quai is an herb from Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) commonly used to build blood and improve circulation. Many women who are low in iron due to blood loss during menstruation may experience more painful periods and PMS symptoms. Dong Quai can be used to increase iron levels.
Dong Quai also improves the circulation of blood to your reproductive tissues, which can help ease tension in the body, and improve reproductive health issues.
Chaste Tree Berry (Or Vitex)
Chaste Tree Berry, or more commonly known as Vitex, is an herb popular in European herbalism that can help support hormone health by increasing progesterone levels, and bringing emotional balance by reducing irritation during menstruation. Chaste Tree Berry also relieves PMS symptoms such as premenstrual bloating, headaches, skin issues, and breast tenderness.
Cramp Bark
Cramp Bark, often used in the Native American tradition, helps to promote uterine tonicity, relieve painful menstrual cramps, improve endometriosis symptoms, and even prevent miscariage or assist in early labor. Cramp bark reduces muscle spasms in the smooth muscle of the uterus, and can be used as a muscle relaxant, or to improve PMS symptoms.
*Before turning to herbalism to support your fertility, please consult both your doctor and a certified herbalist in your area. Everyone’s bodies react to things differently hun, and it’s up to you to take care of yourself.
Other things to support your fertility
Herbalism works best when paired with other lifestyle habits that support your health. These practices are a simple way to bring more healing into your routine:
1. Take Walks
Walking 30 minutes a day, 4x a week can increase blood circulation in your reproductive tissues, and help relieve painful symptoms from PMS and endometriosis.
2. Limit xenoestrogen exposure
Xenoestrogens are endocrine disrupting chemicals that mimic your body’s natural hormone production. Overexposure to these chemicals leads to higher levels of estrogen in the body, resulting in a lower libido, infertility, and a higher chance of miscarriage. Ladies, believe me when I say that these chemicals are no joke!
You can learn more about the dangers of xenoestrogens for fertility in this blog post. Reduce your exposure by choosing organic and toxic free products whenever possible.
3. Take time to heal
If you are suffering from reproductive health issues or a recent miscarriage, it’s important to give yourself time to heal before trying to conceive again. Your body needs to be in a healthy and happy place to support a pregnancy, so give yourself 3-6 months of trying these protocols and give yourself the best chance of healing.
I know for some of my JUJU mamas who’ve been ttc for a while, this can be hard to hear, but the more patient and loving you are with yourself, the stronger your body will be, and the safer your spirit baby will feel entering this physical realm.
As you age, supporting your fertility holistically with herbs and a healthy lifestyle is the best way to conceive naturally. If you are struggling with infertility issues such as chronic PMS, endometriosis, or fibroids, know that you are not alone and there are resources available to help you heal.
I have a variety of courses that can help you tap into your fertility JUJU. In these courses you will learn how to track your cycle successfully, get to the root cause of your fertility issues, and connect to your spirit babies to uncover any spiritual blocks preventing pregnancy. Learn more about my fertility JUJU courses here.