Getting Pregnant Naturally (14 page)

G
etting pregnant is a balancing act. For both women and men, fertility involves a complex hormonal chain reaction; for the system to work, the entire system has to be in working order.

All too often, low levels of a hormone may knock the system out of balance, inhibiting fertility. While synthetic drugs like clomid or perganol can stimulate egg release, sometimes more subtle treatments—such as herbal remedies—can jump start the hormonal system, often without the undesirable side effects of the stronger drugs.

Every culture on earth has relied on the natural healing ability of plants (or botanicals) to treat many ailments. Worldwide, four out of five people use herbs as the basis of their medical care. Though most Americans rely on synthetic drugs produced in a laboratory, European
doctors often prescribe herbal treatments for their patients. One of the main reasons that synthetic medicines are more popular than herbs in the United States is that drug companies can patent those drugs they create, but they cannot patent Mother Nature’s cures. Still, about 25 percent of all prescription drugs sold in the United States contain active ingredients isolated from plants, and most synthetic drugs are little more than synthesized versions of chemicals that occur naturally in plants.

Many people who agonize over taking an over-the-counter painkiller think nothing of swallowing an herbal treatment because they consider it “natural” and therefore not dangerous. But herbs powerful enough to heal are also powerful enough to harm, if misused. In general, herbal remedies are safer and have fewer side effects than man-made drugs, but they can be as potent and as harmful as synthetic drugs, and they should be treated with the same respect. Like any other drugs, herbs can have negative and sometimes dangerous side effects if taken in excessive doses. When it comes to herbs—as with many things—more is not necessarily better.

Part of the confusion about safety stems from the way
herbal treatments are labeled. Unlike synthetic drugs, herbal remedies do not have to go through the formal approval process from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because they are classified as foods or food additives, rather than drugs. This means that manufacturers of herbal remedies must be cautious about the claims they make on package labels; drug-related claims and warnings are prohibited. It’s up to you to understand the safety and efficacy of the products you buy. You should always read the package directions and follow the dosage information on the product label. If you have any questions about how a product should be used, contact the manufacturer for more information.

You can find many herbal remedies in health food stores, but in recent years they have been showing up in conventional supermarkets and pharmacies as well. If you can’t find what you need at local stores, refer to the listing on pages 183-184 for information on mail-order companies that sell herbs.

While all herbal medicines rely on plant materials, different medicines use different parts of the plant, such as the leaves, seeds, flowers, roots, bark, or berries. The particular “recipes” for herbal remedies have been refined
and improved by herbalists over thousands of years. Though only a tiny fraction of the world’s plants have been tested for their medicinal potential, American herbalists use more than one thousand different herbs to treat a wide range of illnesses and medical conditions. The following remedies are among the key treatments for infertility.

Regardless of what plants they are made of, herbal medicines come in one of several forms, including:

• Teas:
  Made by steeping one teaspoon of dried herbs or three teaspoons of fresh herbs in one cup of boiling water for five minutes or so, then straining. Most herbal teas are not strong enough to provide medicinal value, so in most cases you can drink as much herbal tea as you wish.
  

• Infusions:
  Made much the same way as strong tea, with several important exceptions. The water should be just short of boiling (since boiling water releases important volatile oils in the steam), and the herbs are steeped for twenty to thirty minutes, so the resulting liquid is much more potent and often more bitter than tea. The infusion should be strained before drinking. Most infusions are made with one-half to one rounded teaspoon of dried herb or three teaspoons of fresh herb per cup
  of water. The standard dose for most infusions is one-half cup, three times a day.
  

• Decoctions:
  Made like infusions, only the bark, roots, or berries of the herbs are simmered (never boiled), rather than merely steeped, for twenty to thirty minutes (or sometimes longer). Most decoctions are made with one-half to one rounded teaspoon of dried herb per cup of water. The standard dose for most decoctions is one-half cup, three times a day.
  

• Tinctures:
  Made by soaking herbs in an alcohol solution (25 percent alcohol/75 percent water) for a specified period of time (from several hours to several days, depending on the herb). Commercial tinctures use ethyl alcohol, but apple cider vinegar, vodka, brandy, and rum are suitable for home use (and the brandy and rum can help to disguise the bitter flavor of some herbs). Because alcohol acts as a preservative, tinctures can be stored for up to two years. To prepare a tincture, soak one ounce of crushed dried herbs in five ounces of distilled spirits for six weeks. Shake the mixture every few days to encourage alcohol uptake of the herb’s active ingredients. The dosage for a tincture depends on the herb being used.
  Warning:
  Do not use methyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) when making tinctures; they are toxic if taken internally.
  

• Extracts:
  Made by distilling some of the alcohol off
  a tincture, leaving a more potent concentrate behind. Most commercial extracts use vacuum distillation or filtration techniques, which do not require the use of high temperatures. The dosage for an extract depends on the herb being used.
  

• Powdered herbs:
  Made by removing the moisture from an extract, then grinding the solid herbal concentrate into granules or powders, which can be shaped into capsules or tablets. The dosage for powdered herbs depends on the herb being used.
  

Most of the herbal treatments mentioned in this book involve infusions or decoctions, which may have a sharp, bitter taste. If you don’t care for the flavor of an herbal remedy, try covering the unpleasant flavor with sugar, honey, lemon, fruit juice, or even flavored tea mix. You can also purchase prepared tinctures, extracts, or powdered herbs and follow the dosage information on the product labels.

Before using herbs, check with your doctor, since herbal medicines can interact with some conventional drugs. Use only the recommended amounts and take herbs only for the recommended time periods. The risk of side effects goes up when people take large amounts of herbs for extended periods. Start with a low-strength preparation and strengthen it only if necessary.

Watch out for symptoms of overdose or toxicity. Typical symptoms include stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, or headache an hour or two after taking an herb. If you develop any suspicious symptoms after taking an herb, stop taking it and see if the symptoms disappear. If you have an adverse reaction, report it to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch office at (800) 332-1088.

Which herbs should I take?

All the herbs discussed in this chapter can help to enhance your fertility. However, different herbs address different fertility problems, so be sure to read the description of each herb carefully to see if it will help with your particular problem.

Most of the herbal treatments listed in this book involve single herbs, rather than formulas, or blends of herbs designed to act synergistically to achieve specific results for a specific individual. If you plan to experiment with herbal remedies on your own, try one or two of the herbs suggested in this chapter. If you are interested in a multiherb fertility formula, look in your local health food store, or consult a professional herbalist who can prepare a blend designed to meet your individual needs.