Ayurveda Treatments for Fertility
Ayurveda medicine is an alternative infertility treatment that has its roots in Indian medicine dating back at least 4,000 years. Ayurveda is translated as the science of life and Ayurveda teachings are based on the principles of which substances, lifestyles and activities are either beneficial or harmful to life. As such, Ayurveda treatments and Ayurveda medicine for fertility often target factors that are known to contribute to infertility including stress, diet and exposure to toxins.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda medicine offers a holistic approach to health that is similar to yoga. Ayurveda treatments may make use of the following:
- herbal medicine
- massage
- diet
- spiritual insight
- practical experience
- scientific knowledge
- artistic creativity
Ayurveda treatments can include the use of medicinal plants, certain types of food, meditation, surgery, lifestyle recommendations and massage.
The Basic Principles of Ayurveda
Ayurveda promotes lifestyle considerations on the basis of each individual’s unique constitutional make-up. This is what’s known as an individual’s dosha. In the Ayurveda tradition, there are three dosha categories that make up individuals:
- Vatta is connected to the elements of wind and space
- Pitta is connected with water and fire
- Kappha is connected with earth and water
The three dosha move within the entire body and produce either good or bad effects. The normal state of the dosha is balance, while the abnormal state is illness. Dosha may be present in a variety of combinations with differing dominant characteristics. The aim of Ayurveda is to balance an individual’s “nature” with the environment that surrounds her.
Ayurveda and Fertility
Ayurveda sees male and female fertility as the ultimate act of creation and as the most powerful driving force of human destiny. According to the principles of anatomy and physiology within Ayurveda practice, fertility is the sum total of optimal food digestion as well as optimal experiences.
Healthy female and male fertility requires a healthy digestive fire, quality of tissue and free flowing channels in order for the reproductive system to be well nourished. This is because according to Ayurveda, digestive fire converts food that enters the stomach into the essence of food, which then flows and nourishes the tissues within the body.
Ayurveda and Female Fertility
Ayurveda divides a woman’s menstruation cycle into three phases that correspond with the three dosha:
- Kappha is the phase between the end of menstrual bleeding and the beginning of ovulation marked by an increase in estrogen
- Pitta refers to the phase between ovulation until the menstrual period begins and is marked by high progesterone hormone levels
- Vata refers to the period of menstrual bleeding in which the menstrum is pushed downward by descending wind and empties the contents of the womb
Any menstrual disturbances in these three phases may affect female fertility; however, typically it is the Vata phase that is believed to be affected. According to Ayurveda, this because the downward energy becomes blocked. It is important to balance each dosha phase of the menstrual cycle. Ayurveda treatments may include aloe vera, daily self-massage, tea made from fennel seeds, licorice, saffron or ginger, and rose water.
Ayurveda and Male Fertility
Ayurveda views male infertility as problems affecting sperm including volume, motility and shape. In addition, erectile dysfunction and obstructions such as varicocele and prostatis are recognized as male fertility problems. There are a variety of tonic herbs and other herbs to clear obstructions available in Ayurveda medicine that are believed to increase sperm count, strengthen motility and enhance form.
Ayurveda Remedy for Fertility
There are also Ayurveda yoga techniques that may benefit a couple’s fertility, such as pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the pelvic region and increase circulation. The following foods may be recommended as part of an Ayurved diet to improve fertility:
- organic fruits and vegetables
- asparagus
- broccoli
- milk
- dates (with milk)
- mango (with milk)
- rice pudding
- cumin spice
- tumeric spice
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