Core Herbs for Fertility

Angela Hywood, ND

BSc (Complementary Medicine); Dip App Sc (Naturopathy); Dip Phyto; Dip Hom; Dip CN; Dip

Core Herbs for Fertility

Tribulus Shatavari Turmeric

Tribulus for Fertility

Tribulus is one of the best-researched examples of the use of a steroidal-saponin containing herb in botanical medicine for its endocrine effects

Tribulus leaf is a popular herb in Europe for the treatment of adrenal fatigue, male and female fertility, menopause and andropause

Stuthe J, Fletcher M, Lambert L, Penman K, Lehmann R, Kitching W, De Voss J. Chemical Constituents of Chamaelirium luteum. Poster presented at 50th conference Society of Medicinal Plant Research (GA) in Barcelona. Spain. Sept 2002

Tribulus Quality IssuesBuyers Beware!

Bulgarian clinical trials utilized 40% furanosterolicsaponins by UV-Vis, with the plant part being theaerial parts (leaves and stem) Chinese and Indian sources typically specify the

fruit analysed at 40% by gravimetric methods– Gravimetric 40% – UV 3% by Bulgarian

method Raw Herb results

– Fruit 0.5%– Aerial parts 3.5%

Tribulus Quality Issues

Quality Issues

Quality issues do influence clinical outcomes: This is because a herb is biologically rather

than chemically defined and: may be incorrectly identified may vary in chemical content may be inappropriately assayed active compounds are often unknown processing may enhance or detract from

quality Let the practitioner and consumer beware!

Shatavari

When translated, Shatavari means: “She who possesses a hundred husbands”

It is considered both a general tonic and a female reproductive tonic

Shatavari is the main Ayurvedic rejuvenation tonic for the female (Withania for men)

Shatavari is used for sexual debility and infertility in both sexes. It is also used for menopausal symptoms and to increase lactation

Shatavari

Shatavari is highly effective in improving fertility

It tones and nourishes female reproductive organs and regulates ovulation

Shatavari is beneficial in amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, leucorrhea and pelvic inflammatory diseases

Shatavari increases the white blood count and stimulates macrophages which helps to combat candida and genitourinary infections

http://www.ayurveda.hu/api/API-Vol-4.pdf

Shatavari

It is a sweet and bitter herb which is said to be particularly balancing to Pitta dosha

Shatavari is regarded as a remedy from the rasayana group

Rasayana literally means the path that rasa or the primordial tissue takes

A remedy that improves the quality of rasa should strengthen or promote the health of all tissues of the body

http://www.ayurveda.hu/api/API-Vol-4.pdf

Shatavari

Shatavari nourishes the female reproductive organs and prepares them for conception

It also prevents miscarriages and is useful as a post partum tonic

A clinical study performed in the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Ayurveda Hospital, Nepal on The Effect of Shatavari in Threatened Abortion and High Risk Pregnancy, showed 90% of the mothers had successful, healthy pregnancies and deliveries when using shatavari

http://www.ayurveda.hu/api/API-Vol-4.pdf

Shatavari

Shatavari can be effective in increasing male fertility

This was shown in a comparative study, between Clomiphene” (a medicine which helps in male infertility) and shatavari

With shatavari, spermatogenesis increased greater than with Clomiphene, and with shatavari, a higher percentage of healthy sperm were seen

http://www.ayurveda.hu/api/API-Vol-4.pdf

Shatavari

Shatavari has shown an anti-fungal (anti-candida) function due to its macrophage-stimulating activity in a study published in J Post Grand Med, by Reg N.N. et al 19931

A comparable study, using candida as the subject organism, was done with metronidazole and standard immunomodulatory peptide therapy

This showed increased dose dependent phagocytic and killing capacity by shatavari-strengthened macrophages2

1 J Post Grand Med, by Reg. N.N. et al 19932 http://www.vedicsociety.org/the-herb-called-shatavari-a-gift-for-women-a-267.html

Shatavari

Another study performed by the Department of Microbiology, Nepal, showed antimicrobial activity against the following bacteria that are frequently present in urinary tract infections: E. coli, Enterococcus fecalis, Proteus unisatriles, and Pseudomonas species

The same study showed antimicrobial activity against the bacteria S. dysenterecea, which is responsible for acute dysentery, colic pain, blood in the stool as well as bacteria found in typhoid fever, S. Typhi, and the Staph bacteria, Staphylococus aureus

http://www.vedicsociety.org/the-herb-called-shatavari-a-gift-for-women-a-267.html

Shatavari: Actions

Tonic Galactagogue Sexual tonic/aphrodisiac Adaptogen Spasmolytic Antidiarrheal Diuretic

Shatavari:Therapeutic Indications

Estrogen modulation Menopausal symptoms Low libido Promoting conception (fertility tonic for both

sexes) Insufficient lactation Miscarriage prevention As a tonic for general debility, fatigue,

infections

http://www.vedicsociety.org/the-herb-called-shatavari-a-gift-for-women-a-267.html

Turmeric The important actions of Turmeric are anti-

inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and DNA protective1

Studies have found that Turmeric can help to down-regulate genetic expressions of disease2

1 Sharma, O.P. Biochem. Pharmacol 1976; 25: 1811-18122 Ilbey YO Human Reproduction 2005 doi:10.1093/humrep/dep058

Turmeric

Research shows that it may even help fight infertility.

A team of researchers at Gujarat University has found that curcumin, the principal constituent of turmeric, is capable of ameliorating infertility caused by aflatoxins, a family of plant toxins.

Many aflatoxins are known to affect sperm count and its motility.

www.telegraphindia.com/1071231/jsp/.../story_8726359.jsp

TurmericThe scientists, led by Ramtej Jayram Verma of the department of zoology and biomedical technology, orally fed olive oil spiked with aflatoxin to two groups of male albino mice, one with curcumin and the other without. While the animals whose diet included curcumin had sperm with improved morphological characteristics, the other group showed a marked reduction in sperm quality. The findings are reported in the December 2007 issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility. “We are, however, yet to ascertain the mechanism behind the curcumin effect,” says Verma.

www.telegraphindia.com/1071231/jsp/.../story_8726359.jsp

Treatment Aims for DNA Damage The major aims of treatment are:

Treat the underlying cause of the DNA damage where possible

Reduce inflammation using anti-inflammatory herbs

Provide antioxidant support using herbal antioxidants

Protocol for DNA Damage

Core Treatment Vitanox: 1 tablet twice daily

• Provide antioxidant support and also has anti-inflammatory activity

Herbal Treatment of Varicoceles

Antioxidant herbs such as: Turmeric Green Tea Rosemary Grape Seed Ginkgo Biloba

Tablet Protocol for Varicoceles

Additional Support

Vitanox: 1 tablet twice daily

Provide venotonic, vascular protective and antioxidant activity

Conclusion

Reproductive health is exquisitely sensitive to characteristics of an individual's environment (internal and external)

The relative effects of these features may vary in different parts of the world or even within a country

Workplace and industrial pollution, as well as substances that are used commercially or in the home, may pose the greatest threats

Conclusion It is essential to implement safe and effective

treatment protocols in order to: remove levels of accumulated toxicity provide protection against oxidative stress promote the health of nucleic acids

(RNA/DNA) restore endocrine function

Duration of treatment is approximately 4 months in accordance to cycles of oocyte maturation and spermatogenesis

Continued gentle and safe support required during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Berris BurgoyneAssociate Professor Kerry Bone

and Francesca Naishfor their contribution to this lecture