Q: Good Morning,
I'm 25 years old and I have 4 years of marriage. I get irregular menses, in which, Sept. through March had been menstruating. I missed April and started up in May and June. Can you advise me what herbal can I drink to maintain regular menses and getting pregnant?
Thank you,
M.
A: Hello M., thank you for writing. Have you had an opportunity to read this article for increasing fertility? Other than one missed month, have there been other health issues, or emotional stress that could have caused that change in cycle?
One of the premiere herbs I have heard for increasing fertility is Red Clover blossoms prepared as an infusion. That article explains how to prepare this, and writes:
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.
This is where I would start if I were you. It is important to note though if your bleeding continues to be irregular, to consider exploring why it might be so. Please let me know if I can be of any further help.
Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com
Q: Thank you so much for taking time and replying back. I'll try to get red clover somewhere. I'll keep in touch with you. May God Bless you for this advice and I will be taking in consideration.
Sincerely, M.
Take care... =0 )
A: Great M., I do look forward to hearing from you, and wish you all the best! You can view a list of herbal suppliers here, if you wish, for a source of the blossoms :)
Blessings,
Karen Joy
Q: Is being overweight a problem not to get pregnant?
Thanks
M.
A: Hello M., overweight is a fine cultural judgment. What matters is your reproductive health. Some who are considered overweight have trouble with conception, both being a symptom of a need within the body, but one's weight itself, as far as I know, does not cause the problem. I encourage you to focus on your overall health, and judge this with how you feel inside.
Blessings,
Karen Joy
Q: Thank you for sending me information. I truly would like to see if you can help me? " Well, I have trying to get pregnant. Recently, I was checked on my follepian tubes and my right one is blocked. The Dr. told me that this is not impossible for me to get pregnant. I have been getting my menstrual period...every month! I know that I don't ovulate...is there any natural medicine that could help me ovulate. Maybe this is something that the Dr. needs to check, though this month I will be consulting a specialist in this case. Well, I hope that you may advice me to what might be best!
May everyone have a Happy New Year....and may this coming year every goal may be accomplished.
Sincerely,
M.
A: Hello M., so nice to hear from you. Happy New Year to you as well.
You are not ovulating through either ovary? How long has this been going on? Do you know why? Here are a few relevant excerpts from each of the two fertility articles Susun offers:
Herbs for Fertility [includes the quote offered above, highlighted for it even more relevant nature now....]
"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!"
Also described are Partridge Berry and Liferoot....
Fertility After Forty [Again, highlights mine]
"Use lunaception to time your ovulation so you have the best odds of conceiving. It's fine to have sex in the weeks before ovulation, especially if the sex is focused on the woman and her orgasm, but do save your best efforts for those three nights when your "moon" is full and bright and ready to frolic."
"Red clover is the single best remedy for women over forty who want to conceive but can't -- even if there are medical reasons for not conceiving such blocked tubes, diabetes, ovarian cysts, internal scaring, endometriosis. There are many heart-warming success stories I could share about red clover! But suffice to say, drinking 2-4 cups of the infusion of the dried blossoms (neither tincture nor tea nor pills will work for this application) seems to do wonders for fertility, no matter what your age."
"Another important herbal ally for women over forty who desire a child is chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castii). It has been used in Africa and parts of Europe for several thousand years to discourage the male libido. In women, the effects seem to be the opposite! It may also be a fertility enhancer. Most importantly, chaste tree is a strengthening tonic for the pituitary gland, the master control gland for the endocrine system. Daily use of the tincture of the berries (1 dropperful/1 ml 2-3 times daily) had been shown to increase progesterone--the hormone of pregnancy--and luteinizing hormone--which promotes conception. Because it can lower prolactin levels, chaste tree is best discontinues during the last trimester of pregnancy."
You can read more about lunaception here.
Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com
Can having a big tummy, i mean if its really sagging cause you fertility problems or should I say, does it delay pregnancy occuring. I have a big tummy from my first child and it just wont go. I have tried exercising and all but it seems to be taking long. Some people have told me that it may delay your chances of getting pregnant or may cause you to have blocked fallpian tubes. How far true is this, my waist is a size 42 and I am 32 years old. I have been on norplant (jadell) for three years and have recently removed it to try for another baby. How long does your body take to go in its normal cycle after removing jadelle. I mean I have been trying to get pregnant since September 2006 (5 months). Is this too soon to be worrying. I also heard that doing a D and C shortly after removing your norplant also help, to remove excess dirt from your womb. How far true is this.
Also seeing that my biological clock is ticking is there anyway of increasing chances of having twins. I am turning 33 this year.
Posted by: Mandy Taziva | January 09, 2007 at 06:13 AM
Hi Mandy since you also wrote this in an email I will post my reply for other to see... Meanwhile perhaps others will have some more ideas or experience to offer....
Hello Mandy, I hear your desire to have children. I have not heard of the
size of a belly causing any fertility concerns. If the size of your belly
is a result of something else that causes fertility concerns that is another
matter. I can not truly see how it itself would block your fallopian
tubes, but could be wrong. Either way I would not focus on you belly size
but your overall vibrant health. We can not isolate one part of ourselves
to bring health to, it is interconnected. If you nourish yourself with good
foods and good daily activity and good thoughts, then perhaps you are one of
those large bellied goddesses! (I am unfamiliar with belly measurements so
do not know if our idea of a large belly is the same :))
I hear your concern that time is ticking. Of course it is, but if all is
well you have plenty of time. Yes I have heard people taking a year or more
to get back in the swing of things once going off hormone drugs. Stay
focused, stay positive, nourish yourself as you would your new child, with
gentleness, patience, love, nice environment and good foods, and much of the
work will be done. In addition perhaps you would like to start drinking Red
Clover blossom infusions, 1-4 cups a day to nourish your reproductive
system. You can read more about this here:
http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Fertility_Herbs.htm Are you confident that
your belly size is not a result of fibroid or cysts on or around your uterus
or ovaries? This would be one thing that could be addressed if so.
To answer again I would not worry after only 5 months. Give you body some
time to adjust to operating for itself again.
A D&C is your choice. I consider it very invasive, seeing your uterus as
dirty and your whole womanly reproductive system as still needing
manipulation as your norplant did. You do not have dirt in your uterus!
Think of it as someone, three years ago, forcing you into a wheel chair or
forcing your legs to make every move they make, for three years this went
on, then suddenly they and their manipulations or wheelchair were gone. It
would take you some time to re-remember and build health and strength in your
legs and their functioning again. If you got angry at yourself for not
walking yet so had someone force you along again, you would be set back.
Instead you could be patient, kind and nurturing to yourself, praising your
incredible ability to walk and confidence in doing so, and likely come along
that much faster!
I would also love to invite you to our Wise Woman Forum and Email groups
accessed through www.wisewomanweb.com for more ideas and support.
Please let me know if we can support you any further. And if you do not
write soon, we would love to hear one day how your health is faring :)
Blessings,
Karen Joy
karenjoy@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com
*email correspondence may be used to share with others - all names changed
and contact info deleted for anonymity
*disclaimer applies for all health-related emails -
http://www.susunweed.com/A_copyright_disclaimer_privacy.htm#2
Posted by: Karen Joy | January 19, 2007 at 10:40 AM
I am a very healthy 45 year old with regular periods and no pre-menopausal symptoms who has been trying to get pregnant for the past 9 months. For the first 3 months I was drinking infusions of Red Clover, Raspberry leaf and Nettle several times a day. For the past 6 months I have been drinking Red Clover tea every morning.
I was shocked to learn from a friend that Red Clover was used in a herbal abortion she performed and several studies I have read online state that Red Clover has been proven to cause infertility and abortions in sheep and cattle.
Could you please clarify this for me as I would hate to think that my us of Red Clover has been the cause of my infertility.
Thanks,
Oona
Posted by: dolphindreamer | July 06, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Oona, I understand this concern... (I apologize for my late reply, have been largely away from the blogs for the summer due to some complications.)... are you the Oona who WAS pregant just 8 months prior?
I have once heard about sheep that were shipped to Australia or New Zealand, then allowed to graze on fields of Red Clover blossoms. In time they started have spontaneous miscarriages. The story was told to me with the thought that this happened as they were overpopulating an area they were not natural to in the first place.
There are MANY herbalists I have heard tout Red Clover blossom for fertility, and several I myself have known over the years who claim there regular RC infusions were the cause of their subsequent conceptions.
Do you know in what form and how much of this herb she used to help abort? Plus if used as part of a collection of herbs, the RC may not even be responsible.
love and blessings,
Karen Joy
Posted by: KarenJoy | September 21, 2007 at 02:49 PM
My menses are irregular for the past 5 years, generally they are 4 to 5 days late, I wish to know that it has something to do with blocked fallopian tubes?
Posted by: ruby | March 11, 2008 at 02:10 AM
Hi Ruby, do you have blocked fallopian tubes, or just suspecting? What do you mean by irregular, regularly 4-5 days later than your cycle used to be? How do you feel otherwise? Do you chart your cycles, following when you ovulate? Have ovulation pain?
Karen Joy
Posted by: KarenJoy | March 13, 2008 at 11:43 AM
I have a question. HX to be brief I have 4 children DD 24 DD 21 DS 7&7. I had a tubal ligation after my second DD was born, and underwent IVF to conceive DS's. In January 2008 I had a tubal ligation reversal that was very successful and I conceived the very first month after surgery. Unfortunately I miscarried (or had chemical pregnancy) whichever you want to call it. When I was pg with my twins I used heparin b/c a doctor told me my "natural killer cells" were too high. I also took estrace during the two week wait.
I have purchased Vitex and False Unicorn Root as I was told that these would help me hold a pregnancy, but also purchased Red Clover to make an infusion to drink. I have just been told NOT to drink the Red Clover after ovulation. Is that correct?
I hope that getting pregnant will be as easy the next time, but that I will be able to hold the pregnancy. Do you have any advice?
Thank you,
Kristi
PS I purchased Susun Weed's book Wise Woman in the Childbearing year from Amazon and it should be here sometime next week.
Posted by: Kristina | March 20, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Kristi, so wonderful you got this book! And are caring for yourself so... Where did you hear not to drink Red Clover blossom infusions after ovulation? I have never heard this. It is a nourishing herb, like a nourishing food, I see no reason to worry about what days you take it or not...
Karen Joy
Posted by: KarenJoy | April 05, 2008 at 12:19 PM
hi, where can i purchase red clover infussion? have been to holland n paratts but did get red clover in liquid form pls am desperate because am trying to conceive at present pls help me .
Posted by: sheila taylor | June 02, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Sheila, you do not purchase Red Clover blossom infusions. You purchase or pick and dry Red Clover blossoms and then make the infusion. You do this with one ounce of herb in a quart jar, pour boiling water over and cap, let sit for 4 hours or overnight, strain and drink. This can last up to 2 days in the fridge. You can see a list of herbal suppliers here: http://susunweed.com/Links_herbal_resources.htm#h3 Most are in the states, though some may ship overseas, like Frontier and Mountain Rose perhaps. I think there is one in England and several in Canada.
If this herb is absolutely not available to you (though I highly doubt it can't be found any where in your countrysides :)) perhaps there is a better herb for you right now.
Karen Joy
Posted by: KarenJoy | June 05, 2008 at 01:49 PM
hi me and my husband have been trying to conceive for 3 years he has no fertility problems and i have just some how got rid of my hypothyroidism which i kno can cause infertility we are trying to have a baby now without taking medicine we wanna try hers firt please help me we are in an urgencie .. i also have iregular periods please message me back .
thanks
Posted by: mandy | October 13, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Mandy, is there anything you have read that appeals to you? That you wish to try/
Karen Joy
Posted by: KarenJoy | October 16, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Hello Karen. Just to clarify, is RC not to be used if you suffer from fibroids, cysts, and/or endometriosis? Also, are herbal capsules just as potent?
Posted by: D.J | October 23, 2008 at 01:25 AM
Red Clover is to be used in all the above cases. Did I say something that sounds like not? Would need to reword if so.
How an herb is prepared greatly effects what aspects of that herb we can access. The pinch of dried herb swallowed in capsules is not at all comparable to the infusions. The infusions are far superior in my opinion. I understand the draw, the ease, of the capsules, but once in a routine you will find the infusions take no more than an extra 5 minutes a day, without thinking.... AND help one to consume more liquids :)
Karen Joy
Posted by: KarenJoy | October 29, 2008 at 03:45 PM
I have just purchached the FERTILITY HERBAL SUPPLEMENT form The Heritage and it has red raspberry lead, red clover, nettles leaf, and yellow dock root in it. It was sitting on the shelf and I read that it is best if it is fresh. Is this so ? Also it is a liquid form that directs 20-30 drops 2x a day.
Posted by: Crystal | February 02, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Hello Crystal, these are all wonderful plants to work with. The first three - Red Raspberry leaf, Red Clover (if blossoms), and Nettle leaf - are all best prepared as a nourishing herbal infusion: http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm
Yellow Dock root is great as a tincture, that is extraction in an alcohol menstruum.
At home, tinctures are best prepared from a fresh herb. Infusions are prepared from dried plants.
If by liquid preparation you mean it is a tincture, I truly do not know how much a tincture of anything but the Yellow Dock root will benefit you. How we prepare and herb for use greatly effects what aspects of the plant we access and to what degree.
I do not, however, see any reason this, if containing only what you say above and a tincture, would hurt you. So if you wish to take as directed until gone at least you will have the benefit of the Yellow Dock root and a little more :)
Karen Joy
Posted by: KarenJoy | March 05, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Hello-
I have been reading through the various posts and decided I would try some of the Red Clover Blossom, Nettle leaf and Red Raspberry leaf. I live in a small town and called our local health store and found that they have all 3 in tea form. But then I read the following:
"Red clover is the single best remedy for women over forty who want to conceive but can't -- even if there are medical reasons for not conceiving such blocked tubes, diabetes, ovarian cysts, internal scaring, endometriosis. There are many heart-warming success stories I could share about red clover! But suffice to say, drinking 2-4 cups of the infusion of the dried blossoms (neither tincture nor tea nor pills will work for this application) seems to do wonders for fertility, no matter what your age."
I guess my question is how is an infusion any different than making tea? You are taking dried blossoms and pouring boiling water over it. In the tea it just happens to be wrapped in a tea bag. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
Posted by: Lynn | July 22, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Lynn, hello, though I have already responded to you in person, I am posting my response here for others who may be curious to read....
The difference between a tea and infusions is primarily the amount of herb used and the length of time the herbs are brewed. Teas are made with fresh or dried herbs, usually about the amount that is in a tea bag per cup of water, and are left to sit usually for 5-10 minutes. Infusions are made with dried herbs, an ounce per quart jar, left to sit covered for 4-8 hours.
The tea bags your store has simply means the name of the bags. In the end the dried herb is the same regardless. However if you were to buy enough tea bags to get your ounce of herb for an herbal infusion, you would spend far more money than if you bought the same dried herb in bulk. Another advantage to buying in bulk is seeing the quality of the herb bought.
You can see a list of herbal suppliers here, http://susunweed.com/Links_herbal_resources.htm#h3, from where you can purchase dried herbs in bulk.
lots of love,
Karen Joy
Posted by: KarenJoy | July 30, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Hello Karen,
You said that there are many heart-warming stories you could share regarding Red Clover. Could you please tell me about them? You said there has been success stories for people with blocked tubes? I have two blocked tubes and I would love to hear them.
Thanks
Posted by: Cindy | September 09, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Hello,
Has any one experienced lowering of triglycerides and cholesterol levels from the red clover?
Thanks
Posted by: Diane | October 30, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Hi i am trying to buy Red Clover Blossom infusion but had no joy. please help
Posted by: Indi Cordes | February 24, 2010 at 08:26 AM
Mountain Rose Herbs or Frontier Coop are both excellent sources of bulk herbs online.
Posted by: Nancy | February 25, 2010 at 09:29 AM
Hi, i have tried both these sites but none of them do what i need any other suggestions.
Posted by: indi | February 26, 2010 at 09:38 AM
Your question is very important as well as the information which I would like to share is also informative and is a gift for every woman who wants to get pregnant again after tubal ligation, tubal reversal gives women the chance to become pregnant again naturally. This delicate surgery is best performed by a reproductive surgeon with specialized training and experience in the techniques of tubal reversal.
Posted by: tubal reversal | March 15, 2010 at 09:20 AM
Hi, Im 42 and ttc. My problem is my doctor told me that my fsh level is high is their anything i can take to lower it. Thank You.
Posted by: Trina Dobson | May 07, 2010 at 07:18 PM