For fertility treatment with Chinese medicine herbs, there is no individual herb considered especially useful for promoting fertility. Instead more than 150 different herbs are considered when prescribing an individual and complex formula comprised of usually 15 or more herbs (Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D). The purpose of each prescription is to correct functional and organic problems in the body health that may be causing infertility. Each formula prescribed will vary depending on the patient’s health and needs. Below are a few Chinese medicine herbs for fertility that are commonly part of prescriptions:
(熟地 pronounced Shu Di Huang)
Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosae Praeparata is the root of the plant Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch that belongs to the family Figwort. It was processed by steaming and drying in the sun.
| Features: | Used in Chinese Medicine for: |
Tonifies the Essence Strengthens the Marrow |
Blood deficiency syndrome Deficiency of liver-kidney yin Syndrome of both essence and blood deficiency |
(仙灵脾 pronounced Yin Yang Huo)
Herba Epimedii are parts of the plants Epimedium Sagittatum, Pubesens and Wushanense Koreanum Nakai of the family Berberidaceae. Dried in the sun or shade and cut into pieces.
| Features: | Used in Chinese Medicine for: |
Strengthens the Yang Expels Wind and Dampness |
Deficiency of kidney yang Wind, cold and damp arthralgia |
(桑椹子 pronounced Sang Shen)
Commonly known as Mulberry, the drug is collected in April to June when the fruit turns red, dried in the sun, or dried after steaming briefly.
| Features: | Used in Chinese Medicine for: |
Promotes generation of Body Fluids Moistens the Intestines |
Tonify the liver and kidney Promotes secretion of saliva Moistens dryness |
(益母草 pronounced Yi Mu Cao)
It is the airborne part of the plant Leonurus japonicus Houtt of the family Labiatae. Collected in summer when branches growing before or at the beginning of the flowering, dried in the sun.
| Features: | Used in Chinese Medicine for: |
Eliminates Blood accumulation Diuretic Resolves oedema |
Various syndromes caused by blood stasis Postpartum abdominal stagnant pain Edema, dysuria Sore and abscess |
(红花 pronounced Hong Hua)
Flos Carthamus Tinctorius is collected in summer when its color turns from yellow to red, and dried in the shade or in the sun. It’s the flower of Carthamus tinctorius L. of the family Compositae.
| Features: | Used in Chinese Medicine for: |
Eliminates Blood stasis Treats amenorrhea due to anemia |
Absence of menstruation due to stasis and dysmenorrhea Postpartum abdominal stagnant pain Dispelling mass, unblocking blood vessels, resolving swelling and relieving pain |
(当归 pronounced Dang Gui)
Collected in autumn the root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) belongs to Umbelliferae. Slightly dried and tied up in small bundles, placed on a shelf and smoke-dried, and cut into slices.
| Features: | Used in Chinese Medicine for: |
Moves Blood Calms pain Moistens the Intestines |
Insufficiency of blood Pain syndromes due to blood deficiency Irregular menstruation Constipation due to intestinal fluid consumption |
(党参 pronounced Dang Shen)
Similar to Ginseng this plant belongs to the family Campanuulaceae. Collected in spring and autumn, dried in the sun, and cut into pieces. The roots can also be processed with honey.
| Features: | Used in Chinese Medicine for: |
Strengthens Qi Promotes generation of Body Fluids Nourishes Blood |
Syndrome of lung-spleen qi deficiency Blood deficiency syndrome or syndrome of both qi and blood deficiency |
(肉桂 pronounced Rou Gui)
The cinnamon bark of family Lauraceae is collected in autumn, cleaned and dried in the shade. The bark is then cut into pieces or crushed into powder.
| Features: | Used in Chinese Medicine for: |
Benefits the Yang Disperses Cold, Warming Calms pain, Moves Blood Promotes circulation in the channels |
Yang-deficiency syndrome Pain syndromes due to congealing cold Cold and blood stasis syndrome Warming and unblocking blood-vessles |