Every year, I have a lot of patients who approach me seeking treatment for infertility. For most of them, Ayurveda is the last option after having tried every other treatment and not finding a result. Many are often surprised that there are no invasive procedures and yet Ayurveda can help them find their way to boost fertility.
About 1 in 6 people around the world experience infertility. Some of the main reasons include stress, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, etc. Ayurvedic conception treatment includes correcting all these factors to boost fertility and to prepare the body for conception.
In this blog, let us delve deeper into how Ayurveda helps boost fertility.
Understanding Fertility in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, fertility is considered to be the obvious result of a harmonic body and mind. It is integral to our physical, mental and emotional state. According to the ancient scriptures, the body’s Doshas, Agni and Dhatus, when in harmony, become the reason for improved reproductivity.
Fertility Determiners in Ayurveda
The concepts of Ojas, Shukra Dhatu, and Prakriti are connected with reproductive health. Ojas represents the essence of vitality and immunity within an individual. Shukra Dhatu is the reproductive tissue that is responsible for the formation of sperm in men and ovum in women. Prakriti is the unique body of each person and determines the requirements for reproductive health.
Factors Affecting Fertility
Several factors could affect fertility, such as:
- Eating habits: Poor nutritional intake, processed food, spicy and junk foods could affect reproductive health too.
- Lifestyle and stress: With today’s hectic schedules, higher stress and unhealthy lifestyle adversely affect fertility levels.
- Environmental toxins: These could play a role in throwing hormones off line.
- Other health conditions: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and low sperm count could affect the fertility levels.
Ayurvedic Approach to Enhancing Fertility
Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to enhancing fertility, focusing on balancing the Doshas, strengthening Agni and nourishing the Dhatus. Here are some key Ayurvedic practices to boost fertility.
Dietary Recommendations
To enhance fertility, one should surely manage their diet. Below, you will find lists of foods that one should either include or exclude from their diet:
- Eat Sattvic food: Fresh, organic and easily digested products help to balance the Doshas and enhance Agni. This group includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and dairy products.
- Avoid Ama-producing food: One should avoid processed products, too much sugar, caffeine and alcohol as they take time to digest. Undigested food turns into Ama (toxins). Accumulation of Ama weakens the Agni and causes diseases.
- Avoid excessive salty and spicy foods: Such foods can aggravate your Pitta Dosha, causing Dosha imbalance that in turn affects your fertility.
- Foods to enhance fertility: You can have almonds, walnuts, ghee, milk, sesame seeds, and dates, but in moderation.
- Kapha and Pitta: Encourage the use of light food in Kapha-type patients and refreshing tastes for Pitta.
- Vata: Avoid raw, dried food. Use good fats, like ghee.
These are some general suggestions.
Ayurveda does not follow a one size fits all approach. Every person is unique. So the diet for each person differs, primarily based on their Prakriti, Dosha imbalances, health conditions and more. You can consult an Ayurvedic doctor to determine your Prakriti and Dosha imbalances and to help you plan a diet that aligns with your preferences.
Herbal Medicines for Fertility
In my practice, I do not recommend using medicines that have strong herbs like Shatavari, Ashwagandha or Shilajit or heavy metals as ingredients. Their continuous usage can have side effects.
In my conception treatment, herbal medicines are given to the couple to treat any underlying health conditions, improve their strength and immunity and also to enhance their reproductive health.
Here are some of the herbal medicines that help boost fertility:
- Bhringarajasava: This medicine is given to men to improve the production of male hormones, like testosterone and luteinizing hormone.
- Chyawanprash: Chyawanprash, made using different herbs and fruits, including Amla (Indian gooseberry), is recommended for both men and women. It is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that support overall health and boost immunity, which is essential for fertility.
- Kalyanaka Ghrita: It is a herbal ghee that is used to help improve the quality and count of sperm in men. Women are advised to use Kalyanaka Ghrita to help regulate their menstrual cycles, enhance ovum quality, and increase their chances of conception.
- Sukumara Ghrita: This is another herbal ghee that helps alleviate gynaecological disorders in women, such as dysmenorrhea, PCOS, etc.
- Sukumara Kashayam: This medicinal concoction is recommended for women who suffer from irregular or prolonged periods and severe menstrual pain. It is also available as tablets.
- Sukumara Leham: This herbal paste or jam has all properties of Sukumara Ghrita and Kashayam. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle and alleviate dysmenorrhea in women.
- Ksheearabala Tailam 101: This Ayurvedic oil is recommended for women to consume orally if they suffer from gynaecological disorders, such as irregular or painful periods.
- Maharasnadi Kashayam: This concoction helps cure infertility in both men and women.
Like any other medicines, overconsumption of Ayurvedic medicines can have serious side effects. So, make sure that you use them only under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic doctor.
Panchakarma therapy
This detoxification therapy rejuvenates the body by flushing out toxins and balancing the Doshas.It helps heal from any underlying health conditions and resets the body and mind, making it capable for conception.
Panchakarma has 5 cleansing procedures – Vamana, Virechana,Nasya, Kashaya Vasti and Sneha Vasti. These therapies cleanse the body, improve digestion and promote health and longevity.
Lifestyle Modifications
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is equally important to enhance your fertility.
- Manage Stress: Practices like yoga, meditation, and pranayama (breathing exercises) can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity, which are crucial for fertility.
- Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and improve circulation, which supports reproductive health.
- Sleep Quality: Ensure you get adequate, restful sleep to support overall well-being and hormonal balance.
- Avoid Bad Habits: Smoking and consuming alcohol can have an adverse effect on your fertility. So, it’s better to quit.
Ayurveda says that having a healthy mind is really important for being able to reproduce whether it’s male or female. Doing things like being mindful, writing in a journal, and spending time outside in nature can make your mind feel calm and less stressed. These activities increase mental strength and hence reproductivity.
Following a daily routine or Dinacharya will also bring discipline and consistency in your life.
Importance of Balanced Doshas
Balanced Doshas are crucial for reproductive health. Each individual has a unique Prakriti, which is their natural constitution of the three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Imbalances in these Doshas can affect fertility.
- Vata Imbalance: Can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and anxiety, affecting conception.
- Pitta Imbalance: Can cause inflammation and hormonal imbalances, impacting fertility.
- Kapha Imbalance: Can result in weight gain and sluggish metabolism, hindering reproductive health.
By identifying and correcting Dosha imbalances through diet, lifestyle changes, and Ayurvedic treatments, you can enhance fertility and increase the chances of conception.
Practical Tips for Enhancing Fertility
Here are some practical tips that have helped my patients.
- Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as a warm bath, reading, or hobbies you enjoy.
- Stay Hydrated: To stay hydrated and promote general health, drink lots of water and herbal teas. Also consume water rich food such as watermelon, strawberry, carrots, orange, grapes, etc.
- Avoid Overexertion: Refrain from exhausting yourself both mentally and physically as this can wear you out and affect your ability to conceive.
- Establish a Positive Environment: To promote a healthy mindset, surround yourself with cheerful and positive people.
The Role of Ritu Kala
Ritu Kala refers to the optimal time for conception in a woman’s menstrual cycle.
According to Ayurveda, the period between the 12th and 16th day of the menstrual cycle is considered the most fertile. During this time, it’s believed that the body’s energies are aligned to support conception. Engaging in activities that promote relaxation and reduce stress during Ritu Kala can enhance the chances of getting pregnant.
To sum up, Ayurveda offers a complete approach to improve fertility by harmonising the Doshas, boosting Agni, and nourishing the Dhatus.
I can personally vouch for the amazing impact of Ayurvedic healing on fertility. So, by adhering to the recommended body and mind treatments with Ayurveda, we can create a healthy and fertile environment.