Childbearing Year

Fertility Herbs - Red Clover, False Unicorn, Vitex...

I found your site and I had some questions about herbs that I was wondering if you had the answer to.  I have been trying to conceive for 11 years.  I am now 37 years old.  I've tried the medical treatments and they didn't work for me, so now I'm trying the natural route.  I have unexplained infertility though my doctor found very mild endometriosis, some fibroids and I had a burst ovarian cyst over 12 years ago, which might or might not have to do with my trouble conceiving.  I am doing research and I see some many herbs that can help, vitex, maca, red clover, false unicorn root and many more.  For unexplained infertility, which are the best herbs to try?  How many can I take at once?  Are there any that will interact with each other?   Thank you Simple is better.  This is the opinion of some, myself included.  The top herb I know for unexplained lack of conception is Red Clover blossoms prepared as an infusion.  Susun Weed writes in this article on herbs for fertility:

"One of the most cherished of the fertility-increasing plants is red clover (Trifolium pratense). Common in fields and along roadsides, it has bright pink (not really red) blossoms from mid-summer into the chilly days of fall. A favorite flower of the honeybees, the tops (blossoms and appending leaves) are harvested on bright sunny days and eaten as is, or dried for medicinal use. The raw blossoms are delicious in salads and nutritious when cooked with grains such as rice or millet.

"To make a fertility-enhancing infusion, I take one ounce by weight of the dried blossoms (fresh won't work for this application) and put them in a quart size canning jar. I fill the jar with boiling water, screw on a tight lid, and let it steep at room temperature overnight (or for at least four hours). Dozens of women have told me that they had successful pregnancies after drinking a cup or more (up to four cups) a day of red clover infusion.

"It is especially helpful if there is scaring of the fallopian tubes, irregular menses, abnormal cells in the reproductive tract, or "unexplained" infertility. It may take several months for the full effect of this herb to come on and pregnancy may not occurs until you have used it for a year or two. You can improve the taste by including some dried peppermint (a spoonful or two) along with the dried clover blossoms when making your infusion. Treat the father of the child-to-be to some red clover infusion, too!"

False Unicorn root might be helpful, and I don't know of contraindications with the Red Clover.  I consider it more of an herb to take as needed, whereas the Red Clover I see as a long term food-like herb.   Vitex berry tincture I think can be wonderful when unopposed excess estrogen increases ovarian cysts and fibroids and endometriosis.  Also, when conception happens or appears to happen but is lost as early as the first few weeks because progesterone levels do not stay high enough.  Again no contraindications that I know of with the above two herbs. Maca I consider an exotic plant that was food to a people and is now being marketed by drying a tiny piece of the root and stuffing into a capsule.  I would favor rich root foods that are grown close to home, even if Maca :), so long as it is prepared in your kitchen.  I do not recommend capsules of anything. You can read Susun Weed's thoughts on the importance of Simples. Let me know if I can help with anything further! Blessings, Karen Joy wisewoman@herbshealing.com www.wisewomanweb.com

Baby with Ear Infection

Hi, I am a new mom and my baby has had an "ear infection" for nearly six weeks and today the DR gave us the 3 rd round of medicine and she said if this doesn't work, next comes shot, then if that fails, comes the ENT. I was wondering about the echcinea root tincture (sorry about the spelling) and if that may help her! And can I give it to her with the antibiotics?? I'm so desperate! My baby seems to be in no pain and I am terrified that this may lead to her getting tubes in her ears!!! Please help! Thanks so much.

Yes you can use Echinacea root tincture while taking antibiotics.  To do so, use one drop of the tincture for every two pounds of her body weight - that is if she is 20 pounds, give her 10 drops in water or other liquid.  Do this every hour diligently for at least 20 hours.  In your case 48 hours may be best.  Then go to every 2 hours for the next 48 hours, then every 3, etc.  Keep it going for 10 days at least.  This means at night as well.  I know this is tough on you, but well worth it.  Sleep is essential when battling so if you can't get it to her thinking she is nursing, if she still nurses, then do it as soon as she wakes after an hour is passed.  The regularity of it is really important so set a timer if that helps during the day.  I have seen this work wonders where antibiotics struggle or fail.  I understand the fear.

I tend to be leery of oil in the ear, moreso with such a young one and ongoing infection.  However if you have herbal oils of most sorts, warming it with a candle under a spoon to comfortable warm, massage all around the outside of her ears.  If no herbal oil, use plain olive oil.  The massage and warmth of the oil help at least bring a little relief.  If you have herbal oils some of my favorite for this are Yarrow, Meadowsweet, and Monarda.

If you are feeding foods please do let her get bits of live culture yogurt to help replenish her good bacteria after all the antibiotics.  She can even suck it off your fingers.  This will help strengthen her as well as she battles infection.

Write any time.  I am happy to help however I can.  Let me know if I can help more.

Blessings,

Karen Joy

http://www.wisewomanweb.com

wisewoman@herbshealing.com

Conception, when surrounded with Negativity

Q: Dear Susun and Karen

I am 41 years old, turning 42 in September. My partner is 43. We have been trying to conceive for the last 19 months without success. I found the Susun Weed website about 2 months ago and have been trying Susun's advice.

I bought her book the 'childbearing year' and I am currently taking Red Raspberry leaf tea - 1 to 2 cups a day. Vitex - 1 squirt from the dropper per day into a glass of Red Clover Blossom infusion which I make up myself - about a cup a day. I also drink a cup of Nettle tea in the morning and try to eat as much organic produce as possible.

I visited an infertility specialist today as a followup to a hysteroscopy/laparoscopy that I had on May 3. She tells me there is nothing wrong physically, but my age is the problem and it is unlikely that I will ever concieve naturally. I will need the help of drugs such as Follicle stimulating hormone or Clomiphene. I am loathe to take drugs and the conversation scared me as I so wish to conceive naturally. She told me my eggs would be sad and tired and probably not very healthy because of my age.

It 's so depressing when I keep being told my age is a barrier to being able to conceive. Are you able to advise if what I'm taking is adequate as I would much rather prove her wrong and take these nourishing herbs than try the expensive prescription drugs. Everyone tells me that if I want a child that much, I'll take the drugs. But to me, it doesnt feel right.

I know I havent been on the herbs for long but do you see a possibility in conceiving without resorting to fertility drugs? Should I change what I'm taking or up the dose? I believe my cycles are fairly normal.

Thankyou for your wonderful website. I wish I'd found it months ago!

Regards

 

A: I hear your desire to have a child. And I totally understand your reservation to take the drugs. I would not equate that with a lack of passion for conceiving. As a woman and mother I understand one of the many beauties of having a child is the whole process, the natural beautiful magical process.

I can not answer for you whether you will be able to conceive. We are all unique. BUT based on my experience and what I have read and heard and witnessed, you being 41 definitely does not mean you can not conceive! So since I can not speak for the intricacies of your particular situation, I can confidently say women in their early 40s can conceive. Women in their late 40s do, and sometimes even in their early 50s!

I am sorry for the negativity around you. This must be daunting as you strive for something so meaningful to you. Sometimes though this can help us stand taller for what we want. I encourage you and support you to go for what you want. We always must know we may not get it, but you may. Two months is not long. And you may wish to drink up to 2 cups of the Red Clover blossom infusion a day. The Nettle leaf you may wish to make as an infusion rather than a tea and drink 2-4 cups of it a day. The Vitex berry tincture can be taken as a dropperful 2-3 times a day rather than one.

These are all wonderful nourishing things. Even if you don't conceive they will enrich your life. Even if you choose another method to help you conceive, they will make you that much more of a stronger mother for your child, as well as help against some of the damage the drugs may do. I invite you to give yourself a time limit perhaps. I would not make it any less that 6 months of diligently working with these herbs. Perhaps a year or two, or more. You are 41, if your doctor is saying you can not conceive now, I don't imagine you walking in the door at 42 or 43 would make that much of a difference when asking for the hormone drugs. I do understand though the desire to have a child now, but hear in your resistance to the drugs your desire for the whole process to be beautiful.

Don't forget your partner. He should be drinking the Nettle leaf infusions also :)

Good quality fats are key to a well functioning hormonal system.

I assume you read Susun's excerpt from New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way on "Fertility After Forty". I would not overlook the addition of focus on the earlier suggestions. Your mental state is important as is your partner's. Lunaception would be worth a try. As well you may wish to explore Natural Family Planning as a way to wrok more intimately with your cycles, know when you are best able to conceive and have a more personal relationship to the whole process. You can read about it here: http://www.gardenoffertility.com/. And here is a link to a woman who teaches it if you want more instruction than a book, http://www.fertaware.com/. Another good book on this topic is Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler.

This all may seem like a lot of work, but think of it as tending a garden in the spring. All the care and attention and fussing over bring rich luscious food later. Of course I know is the looming over that it may bring nothing, but that is true anywhere in life. We work hard toward our goal and life can often take a side turn we don't expect. This is doubly why the process has to be as precious and feel just as right as the desired outcome.

I am glad you wrote and encourage you to surround yourself with more positive images of conception at your age. The article is a start. We have a book that was a help to me. I was not over forty when conceiving but had been told for many years I was not able to conceive. I attribute why I was able to in part to reading the writings in this book, Conscious Conception by Jeannine Parvati Baker. You can get it through us, Ash Tree Publishing, or most major bookstores, or possibly even used stores or through a library. It has been around a while.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Dear Karen

Thank you for your email. It was very comforting. I understand there are no guarantees in this world but I am committed to trying to conceive naturally and healthily. I found your links extremely interesting.

Particularly about food and nutrition and the links to 'Real Milk'. I had no idea how mankind had destroyed such a wonderful natural product. I will certainly be trying to source some real milk and butter for myself and my partner. It's very overwhelming and saddening to think we have to fight to find natural food sources. Milk being only one such product.

I will continue to use the herbal advice from your email and Susun's book.

Thankyou for your time in replying to my email.

In love and light

 

A: So wonderful you will nourish yourself so well!! You are welcome to write any time if there is anything further we can help with. We would also love to hear how you are doing down the road, should you ever wish to share :)

with love,
Karen Joy

Herbs to Soothe a Babe's Belly

Q: Dear Susun,

My six-weeks old nephew suffers from flatulence. I would like to make some dill water for him to drink. The older generation used to brew some fresh dill. What is the most effective part of the dill herb and what are the best ways of preparing it.

Thank you very much

Sincerely yours

 

A: Hello Lyuba, when not using the fresh herb many use the seeds. Along with dill, fennel is another wonderful carminative. Use a spoonful of the seeds and make a tea to sip. Remember no honey though :) If your nephew is nursing the mother can do wonderful things both by adding carminatives to her diet, and by eliminating cabbage family plants for a while.

Please let us know if we can help further!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com