The following is help for those trying to get pregnant, already pregnant, or about to experience the blessed event. Once again, please seek the assistance of a qualified person before taking these herbs. Use at your own risk.

Fertility

The first place to start is at the beginning. Below are some things that will help to improve your fertility when the decision is made to go from a couple to a family.

First, you need to check with a physician to determine where the infertility problem lies. Many things can affect fertility for both the man and the woman. A few tests will go a long way to preventing a lot of hair-pulling and finger-pointing. If sperm count is low, a quick solution is to wear boxers instead of briefs. Sperm needs to be cooler than the body temperature to form properly.

Uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, stress, age - all have a factor in fertility for women, and these situations need to be addressed and treated before embarking on an herbal treatment for fertility. You should not be in such a hurry to get pregnant that you put yourself or your fetus in any kind of danger.

Fertility Tonic

The tonic may be used in tincture (3/4 teaspoon daily), capsule (3 capsules twice per day), or tea (one cup three times per day) form. Use daily for up to 3 months. During this time, change your lifestyle to include plenty of exercise, rest, and above all, a healthy diet. Take a multivitamin every day, as well as bee pollen, propolis, and/or royal jelly. Your life is a direct reflection of what is going on in your body, both male and female. Take stock and change what you should to aid in overcoming the infertility. And remember - sometimes trying too hard can make it difficult to conceive!

Herbs During Pregnancy

These are herbs that will help the mother and baby in the early development stages.

Black Haw - used in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent miscarriage

Blessed Thistle - used in the latter stages of pregnancy as a liver tonic and builder, as well as a stimulant of blood flow to the mammaries, and used to increase milk production; also reduces hemorrhaging during childbirth

Burdock Root - has a high concentration of vitamins and minerals and is a liver booster

Chamomile - lifts the spirits and calms the nerves, used for digestive disorders during pregnancy, is combined with ginger to help morning sickness, and has a high calcium content as well as an anti-inflammatory aid

Cramp Bark - a remedy to have handy in case of spot bleeding during early stages of pregnancy, and helps prevent miscarriage due to stress and anxiety

Dandelion - greens and root - a high source of vitamins and minerals, aids digestion, nourishes and tones the system, diuretic, useful for fatigue and exhaustion, liver booster

Ginger Root - used for morning sickness and digestive problems, safe during pregnancy for treating colds, sore throats, and congestion

Kelp - high in vitamins and minerals, aids thyroid

Nettle Leaf - rich in many vitamins and minerals, especially iron, so it is very useful for those suffering from chronic fatigue and exhaustion due to low iron, aids in enriching and stimulating flow of milk; good for use throughout all stages of the pregnancy

Red Raspberry Leaf - tones and nourishes the uterine muscles, rich in vitamins and minerals, enriches and increases milk flow, restores the system after childbirth; good for the entire pregnancy

Spirulina - high in vitamins and nutrients

Bee Products - many nutritional benefits

Always remember to eat a very healthy diet when pregnant and/or nursing!

Many herbs contain steroids that can affect the baby's development during pregnancy and/or nursing. Others may be of a mild toxic type, and others may be strong uterine stimulants. Please read this section carefully and take heed.

Angelica - stimulates suppressed menstruation

Black Cohosh - uterine stimulant - mostly used during labor

Blue Cohosh - a stronger uterine stimulant

Borage oil - a uterine stimulant - use only during the last few days of pregnancy

Comfrey - can cause liver problems in mother and fetus - use only briefly, externally only, for treating sprains and strains -

Dong Quai - may stimulate bleeding

Elder - do not use during pregnancy or lactation

Fenugreek - uterine relaxant

Goldenseal - too powerful an antibiotic for the developing fetus, also should not be used if nursing

Henbane - highly toxic

Horsetail - too high in silica for the developing fetus

Licorice Root - can create water retention and/or elevated blood pressure

Motherwort - stimulates suppressed menstruation

Mugwort - can be a uterine stimulant

Nutmeg - can cause miscarriage in large doses

Pennyroyal Leaf - stimulates uterine contractions (NOTE: Pennyroyal essential oil should not be used by pregnant women at any time!) - do not handle if pregnant or nursing

Rue - strong expellant

Saffron - can cause miscarriage and other problems

Shepherd's Purse - used only for hemmorhaging during/after childbirth

Uva Ursi - removes too much blood sugar during pregnancy and nursing

Yarrow - uterine stimulant

ENDING PREGNANCY

Many of the herbs that could produce an abortion would have to be taken in such large doses to do so that it often is not a viable alternative, or could shut down or damage sensitive organs, and most do not have the desired affect if they are not taken within the proper time frames and at the proper dosages or combinations.

I would like to suggest the following information that will help guide you in your decision. These are very sensitive and sensible booklets to aid you in your decision.

Abortion: A Personal Approach - by Joy Gardner, 1985, Healing Yourself Press - R.R. 1, WInlaw, BC VOG 2JO, Canada

A Woman's Book of Choices: Abortion, Menstrual Extraction - by Rebecca Chalker and Carol Downer, 1992, New York - Four Walls Eight Windows, P.O. Box 548, Village Station, NY 10014

There is also a web site here that can give you some help as well. Tell Sister Zeus that Dr. EarthAngel sent you.

Information within this article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not meant to diagnose nor treat. Seek guidance from a health care professional.

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References

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