Male fertility, pregnancy & ayurveda by Sebastian Pole, Lic OHM, Ayur HC, MAPA, MRCHM, MURHP “My teacher taught me ’prepare the ground and the seeds will flourish’ and that is the best advice for boosting fertility.”In December’s issue, we looked at the approach that ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of health and well-being, has on enhancing female fertility. We now consider male fertility and how to maximise your chances of conception. Then we will look at when success is achieved, how you can enjoy your pregnancy through ayurveda. Male fertility problems are implicated in about 26% of infertility cases and can be caused by all sorts of sperm defects (low volume less than 20million sperm per ml-, low motility, irregular shape), erectile dysfunction and obstructions (varicocele an enlargement of the veins in the spermatic cord in the testicles and prostatitis). With male sperm countplummeting over the last 50 years due to increased environmental toxins this advice can be followed whether there is a diagnosed problem or not.  Tips to boost male fertility:
There are two basic strategies to optimise male fertility. First, clear any obstructions, and then tone up the reproductive tissue. As it takes about 90 days for sperm to mature, it is worth following the recommendations below for at least three months before you try for a baby. This way your sperm can be on their best behaviour! (i) If you think there is an obstruction in the lower abdomen (constipation, dribbling urine, poor erectile function), it is best to get diag- nosed by a qualified ayurvedic practitioner. Use herbs such as gokshura and shatavari formula and triphala to clear the blockage. When the path is clear, use tonics. (ii) Ayurveda has a fantastic repertoire of tonic herbs for improving erectile function, boosting sperm count, strengthening motility and enhancing form. Use organic ashwagandha and kapikacchu to treat any weakness in sperm count, form or function. These are found in Ashwagandha Plus. (iii) If there is a zero or extremely low count it is best to seek advice from a fertility specialist who may recommend ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) to optimise fertilisation. Here a single sperm is injected into the egg and then the fertilized egg is put back into the uterus. Other things men can do to enhance their fertility: - Avoid alcohol as it affects with the body’s absorption of zinc responsible in part for sperm production. As alcohol affects sperm count, motility and form its best to avoid for at least three months prior to trying to conceive.
- Avoid caffeine as there is an inverse link between the amount of caffeine consumed and low sperm levels, motility and poor form. Caffeine is in coffee, black tea, chocolate and some pharmaceutical drugs.
- Avoid smoking as it reduces sperm count, motility, sperm life span and sex drive
- Reduce poor-quality fats in the diet such as hydrogenated oils in fried foods .
- Reduce weight as obesity is linked with low sperm count.
- Environmental pollutants can affect hormone production such as oestrogen-emulating chemicals (DDT, PCPs, dioxins), plastic softeners and hydrocarbons: all can reduce sperm count. They are also known as the xenoestrogens and the best way to avoid them is to eat organic food and avoid food wrapped in plastic.
- Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and arsenic can affect sperm count, so take steps to avoid them if ever exposed at work.
- There is some concern that sitting with a computer on your lap may reduce sperm motility so it is best to avoid this.
- Too much heat negatively impacts sperm production so wear loose trousers, avoid saunas. Fungeal infections or “jock itch” around the groin can also cause too much heat in the area and needs to be treated.
- Stress has an obvious impact on all of our health and may also reduce sperm quality as it affects the production of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which influences sperm production. So put some checks in place to help manage your stress levels.
- Recreational drugs may impact sperm function, with cocaine and cannabis being especially implicated. Some of the wonder foods for male fertility are organic foods in general, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, ghee (clarified butter), saffron, dates, figs, blueberries, asparagus and artichokes.
Increasing your chances of conceiving: Ayurveda sees pregnancy as the ultimate call for rejuvenation or, in Sanskrit, rasayana. You can rejuvenate your body and mind very simply. Ayurveda recommends that both partners follow a preliminary intensive programme for one to two weeks: A simple home detoxification: A simple home practice can be a regime of simple eating, lots of massage oil and a mild detoxification. During this whole regime eat only kicharee. This is a wonderful healing food that is known as “food of the gods”  Kicharee recipe:
1/3 cup of organic mung dal 2/3 cup of organic basmati rice (or other grain) simmered in 3-4 cups of water (a ratio of 1:3 or 1:4). Add 1/4 tsp each of organic turmeric, ginger, roasted cumin and coriander. Add seasonal organic vegetables: spinach, peas, asparagus or seaweeds for an all-round healing, healthy and digestive fireenkindling meal. It is best to cook it on a very low heat in a covered saucepan and not to stir it after all the ingredients are added or it goes mushy. Adjust the flavouring as necessary and add a teaspoon of ghee or hemp seed oil onto your food at the end. While living on this simplified diet it can be useful to sip hot drinks that can help to clean the whole digestive tract; try spicy teas of ginger, cinnamon and cardamom to burn ama and clear toxins. Pukka Herbs has a 100 percent organic tea called Revitalise which fits the bill.  Days One to Seven:
Thoroughly massage yourself from head to foot every day with 100ml warm organic sesame oil. Leave the oil on your body for 15 minutes, then wash off in a hot bath or shower. This helps to clear the lymphatic system by bringing wastes back to the heart, to be sent to the liver where they are detoxified. It helps to tone the skin and nourish the nervous system helping to reduce stress. Take a dose of organic Triphala Plus every night. This is a mix of herbs that are famed for their ability to mildly detoxify the blood and bowel. Take 2-4 capsules with some warm water before bed. After this detox it is very important to start to take some herbal tonic supplements and increase nutritive foods. Herbs: As a general rule women will benefit from including shatavari as herbal medication and could try taking it with organic aloe vera juice which is excellent for enhancing fertility. Men will benefit from taking ashwagandha and kapikacchu. As mentioned under male fertility, Ashwagandha Plus will enhance sperm motility, volume and quality. Diet: As well as following your constitutional diet you can include lots of ghee, almonds, saffron, walnuts and hemp seed oil in your diet. It is also prudent to avoid or reduce alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs, too much sugar, coffee, and processed food to ensure that your “seeds” are at their very best. Yoga: A very useful yogic exercise for both partners is to practice pelvic floor exercises. Just contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor greatly enhances the circulation to the reproductive system. Such practices as mulabhanda, ashvini mudra and vajrloi mudra* are famed for enhancing sexual prowess and potency. Emotions: Care for each other with respect, love and cherishing. It is especially important that the woman is not exposed to any violence, shocks or fear before or during her pregnancy and should be treated gently and softly. She should be surrounded with beautiful flowers and anointed with delicious fragrances such as lavender and rose. Your world will ideally become beautiful and welcoming so that your future child is brought into a warm home. Enjoy exploring this whole area together. Creation: After a suitable time of preparation (three to six months) you are ready for the act of love-making. Treat this time with respect as the two opposite forces of the male and female, the masculine and the feminine energies unite to create a new child. From this union and creative oneness the creative force to generate life will be born. Set a time in a beautiful place full of wonderful aromas, comfort, relaxation and bliss. Some modern views on preconception  Basal body temperature:
It can be very useful for the woman to take her temperature every morning prior to rising. This will give you a clear insight into the fluctuations of temperature in relation to the cycle of the dosha and flow of the hormones. It tells you when you are ovulating, how consistent your pre and post-ovulatory temperatures are and may indicate what sort of herbal treatment you may benefit from, if required. A great book to teach you about all of this is by Toni Wechsler: Taking Charge Of Your Fertility, a tome of information and detail. Cervical mucus: The volume and quality of cervical mucus is one of the best indicators of ovulation and indicates the optimum time for conception. It is a good idea to check the quality of cervical mucus when you think you are ovulating to ensure that it has a clear, egg-white consistency and stringy quality. Vitamins: While ayurveda considers that you should be able to get all your necessary nutrients by caring for your digestive system and eating nutritious food, there is no doubt that many people may benefit from taking supplements. B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, vitamin C and essential fatty acids are all crucial. Note: Please note that if there is any diagnosed complication to getting pregnant such as blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or low sperm count, these must be treated specifically and individually by a qualified ayurvedic practitioner or herbalist. Ayurveda offers much help in the arena of fertility and can often treat these conditions successfully.  Pregnancy: Enjoying the Ayurvedic way:
Before conception both partners are responsible for how they prepare but once conception has taken place the mother-to-be carries most of the responsibility. She must continue to watch her diet, relaxation and rest so that she stays strong, happy and content to live according to her constitutional needs. Many emotions can arise during this time and the man must be a strong rock of confidence, support and happiness so that he can reassure his partner during anxious times. Ayurveda says that “a women should be treated like a bowl brim-full of precious oils” during pregnancy. In other words, pregnancy is a delicate time, worthy of respect. It is a careful balancing act. The child can be deeply affected by the world in which they are being developed. Bearing in mind that there is an emotional link between the organs and the emotions and that the baby’s organs are maturing during the pregnancy it is very important for there to be a peaceful and joyous environment at home as much as possible. That being said, life goes on. There is no need to be over-cautious. There is a need to be aware and respectful. So it is crucial to invest the time to arrange a proper daily programme for keeping the mother and baby happy and nourished, and the father in a position to give support and feel included as well. Doing some yoga together is a wonderful way to share a peaceful time together as is sharing some massages.  Massage of sacrum and back:
Along with the ayurvedic oil massage mentioned above that each of you can do whenever you want, it is especially beneficial for the woman to receive massage throughout the pregnancy. I am not going to go into the details here but see Dr Gowri Motha’s book The Gentle Birth Method for some excellent advice on gentle massage and pregnancy care. General tonics for the mum-to-be: Energy, blood quality and a calm nervous system are crucial factors to help ensure a healthy pregnancy. - Take shatavari from the beginning of the second trimester throughout pregnancy. Take 2 capsules with a glass of warm organic milk or almond milk twice a day. Take it after delivery as well, as it’s great for helping milk production.
- Take tonic herbal teas with nettles, peppermint and hibiscus, such as Pukka’s 100% organic Harmonise tea.
- Include a nourishing and delicious kapha diet including lots of blood-building molasses, beetroots, spinach, oats, rice, almonds, walnuts and ghee on a daily basis.
- Avoid all hot spices, coffee, wheat, sugar, alcohol and excessive dairy or orange juice. Hot spices, coffee, alcohol or orange juice can be too stimulating and disturb the foetus. This can cause heat rashes and digestive disturbances in the newborn. Wheat, sugar and excessive dairy can cause water retention and pelvic congestion and so make labour potentially more difficult. They also make you put on more weight which may effect your blood pressure, breathing and return to a balanced body weight after delivery.
Sebastian Pole is an ayurvedic practitioner and Herbal Director of Pukka Herbs which offers 100% organic ayurvedic remedies and teas, produced to high ethical standards, from herbs grown by farmers who are paid a fair wage. For more information, Visit: www.pukkaherbs.com or ring 01275 461950. Exclusive to YOGA Magazine readers! Pukka Herbs are offering 20% off when you buy both Ashwagandha Plus and Shatavari Capsules.
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