Natural Ways to Enhance Fertility

Nans and Jonathan started planning their family even before they were married. "That was something we both wanted -- at least two children," says Nans. Ten years later, they have tried every kind of fertility treatment available, some of them painful and all of them expensive. "What seemed like such a simple desire has become an impossible quest," says Nans. They are now looking into adoption, but still wish with all their hearts to conceive.

Stories like Nans' and Jonathan's are more and more common today -- much more so than they were even fifty years ago. Studies show that the average sperm count has decreased by 48 percent since 1940.

Women's fertility is also on the decline. There are many theories
about why this is the case, but many researchers believe increased pesticides and chemical fertilizers could be a cause, as well as the high levels of stress associated with modern life.

Couples such as Nans and Jonathan may now find help from ayurveda, which places great emphasis on health and well-being during conception and beyond. Not only does ayurveda explain how to increase fertility with diet, behaviors, and herbal supplements, it focuses on how to create truly healthy children.

The ayurvedic ideal goes far beyond merely conceiving. Instead the emphasis is on creating a child who is mentally, physically,
emotionally, and spiritually healthy -- a wise and well-rounded child who will contribute to society and become an enlightened citizen.

Factors Involved in Creating a Healthy Child

What are the factors involved in creating a healthy child? According to ayurveda, conception takes place due to healthy sperm, healthy ovum, and a healthy uterus. For both men and women, reproductive health depends on the health of the shukra dhatu, or reproductive tissue. In women the shukra tissue creates the ovum as part of the monthly cycle, and in men the semen is formed due to sexual stimulation.

The shukra tissue itself is created as part of a long chain of
metabolic transformations, starting with the digestion of food and including the transformation of food to nutrient fluid, blood,
muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow and finally, to shukra tissue.

Healthy shukra tissue, then, according to ayurveda, depends on the health of all the other tissues in the body.

Diet and Behaviors to Boost Fertility

"There are two kinds of foods and herbs that help enhance shukra dhatu, and therefore help enhance fertility," says Vaidya Mishra, ayurvedic expert. "One is called bringhana, and these foods enhance shukra by enhancing all the seven dhatus. Vrishya foods and herbs target shukra dhatu in particular."

Because the first six dhatus are the raw material for forming the
reproductive dhatu, all of the dhatus must be completely healthy in order to form healthy reproductive tissue. That's why the bringhana diet, which nourishes all the seven dhatus, are so important if you wish to conceive.

Foods to Nourish All Seven Dhatus (Bringhana)

Fresh, organic fruits and vegetables

Whole grains

Dairy proteins, including milk, lassi, and panir (a fresh cheese made of milk)

Mung dhal

Soaked almonds or soaked walnuts (you can grind them and add them to your vegetables)

Sweet, juicy fruits such as mangoes, peaches, plums, and pears
Dried fruits such as dates, figs, and raisins

Stewed apple for breakfast

If your digestion is strong, eat urad dhal (available at Indian
grocery stores) cooked with equal parts turmeric, cumin, coriander, and fennel.

A banana cooked in ghee, cinnamon and cardamom is a tasty and wholesome dessert for people with strong digestion

Foods to Enhance the Reproductive Tissue (Vrishya)

asparagus
broccoli
milk
milk-date shake
milk-mango shake
rice pudding

spices such as ajwain powder, cumin (which purifies the uterus in women and the genitourinary tract in men), turmeric (to improve the interaction between hormones and targeted tissues), and black cumin.

In general, it's important to eat a wide variety of foods in order to receive all the essential nutrients. "Keep trying new vegetables and fruits, and rotate your menus to make sure you're not eating the same thing day after day," advises Vaidya Mishra.

Increasing Fertility Later in Life

Are there special tips for couples that want to conceive after the age of forty? Vaidya Mishra recommends that both the woman and man focus more on the diet and routine, on vrishya and bringhana diet.

"Avoid stress as much as possible," he says. "Go to bed on time and don't miss your morning massage. Take care of your protein needs, including some dairy protein in your diet, such as panir, milk and lassi. Engage in a spiritual practice such as the Transcendental Meditation® technique."

For women, it is particularly important to take care of yourself
during menstruation. Follow the ayurvedic guidelines for that time: avoid traveling, avoid skipping meals, eat foods that are warm, light, and easy to digest, and try to avoid foods or aromas that are highly chemicalized. And take real rest during your menstrual cycle.

"If you want to conceive when you are older, you need to be extra careful about your overall health," advises Vaidya Mishra.

If You Don't Want to Conceive

Even if you don't want to conceive, there is a value in enhancing the shukra tissue. Shukra has a dual function, not only producing the sperm and ovum but also ojas, the finest product of digestion. Ojas creates vigor, bliss, lightness, stamina, immunity, luster in the skin, sparkle in the eyes, and clarity of mind.

"Ojas is vital to the health and happiness of everyone," says Vaidya Mishra. "Anyone who wants to mental clarity, immunity, and spiritual well-being will find these recommendations useful, because they enhance the shukra tissue and thus enhance ojas."

Note : This ayurvedic information is educational and is not intended to replace standard medical care or advice.
Copyright MAPI, 2002.

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