Fertility & Ayurveda

Fertility & Ayurveda

It is one of our natural human conditions to want to lead a long and healthy life and to have children. Like many of the best things in life, it often goes more smoothly if it is properly prepared for.

Words: Sebastian Pole, Lic OHM, Ayur HC, MAPA, MRCHM, MURHP

We are created to procreate. It is one of our natural human conditions to want to lead a long and healthy life and to have children. Like many of the best things in life, it often goes more smoothly if it is properly prepared for.

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of health and well-being, has a wonderful perspective on male and female fertility. Procreation is seen as the ultimate creative act and the most potent driving force in our human destiny. In the first of this two-part series, I will be looking at the Ayurvedic approach to women’s fertility and how fertility can be optimised. Next month I will be discussing male fertility, how to further your chances of conception, and how Ayurveda can enhance your pregnancy. In Ayurveda, fertility is regarded as the sum total of all optimally-digested foods and experiences. This logic is based on the principles of Ayurvedic anatomy and physiology, which considers that eggs and sperm are the result of the deepest level of nutritional transformation. All that we eat and drink is continually refined until it is transformed into the most vital essence, the potential of life, known as “shukra” in Sanskrit. This is the seed of life. Optimum fertility involves the quality of the digestive fire, the quality of the reproductive organs, healthy nutritive tissues and freely-flowing circulation. When these are all functioning properly then the reproductive tissues can be nourished and fertility can take its course. Of course, being loving and loved is one of the best tonics for fertility. Love feeds our immunity, fertility and vitality as the sun warms the earth. You can give yourself this love by adopting some of the suggestions mentioned here and tuning into the great cosmic spirit that sparkles through you every moment. Ideally the path to pregnancy starts about six months before conception with both partners preparing themselves for the magical act of creation. Just as in preparing the land for a fertile garden, it is essential to prepare the ground so that your seeds can grow, or that your body is clean, nourished and unobstructed by toxins and blockages so that your reproductive system is in peak condition. It is vital that the mother-to-be is at optimum health so that she stays strong for the journey ahead. The father-to-be must also rid himself of toxins and nourish his reproductive tissue so that the healthiest fertilisation can take place.

Enhancing fertility:

Problems with infertility can arise when nutrition does not reach the reproductive tissue, due to under nutrition, poor digestion or obstruction due to toxins. Infertility can also arise when the reproductive tissue is over-taxed or damaged by infection or trauma.

In order to prescribe treatment, an Ayurvedic practitioner must

1. Understand both partners’ Ayurvedic constitution (vata, pitta, kapha).

2. Clear any obstructions or blockages.

3. Understanding the individual’s menstrual cycle and balance any irregularities in it.

4. Ensure that the digestive fire is strong and give nourishing foods.

5. Ensure that the nervous system is relaxed.

Understanding your constitution:

A priority for understanding your health in Ayurveda is establishing your constitution, known as your prakriti. It is best for you and your partner to see an Ayurvedic practitioner to determine your individual combination of doshas. Most of us have elements of all three, but establishing your predominant strengths and weaknesses can be an art. Once you know, you can then tell the best diet for you and your partner, the best time of year for you to conceive and other appropriate lifestyle recommendations.

Clearing obstructions:

Ayurveda believes that any obstructions in the body render the reproductive system deficient, and a programme of detoxification followed by rejuvenation will be necessary to reestablish the health of the reproductive tissues. Examples of “obstructions” might include an erratic digestive system, constipation, excess weight, anaemia, cysts or fibroids. Ayurveda’s most famous formula for clearing obstructions is Triphala. A mixture of three nourishing fruits, it literally draws stagnating toxins out of the tissues to be eliminated naturally. Of course, certain obstructions need to be treated more specifically but Triphala will often be a component. Herbs such as ashwagandha and shatavari are all used to enhance egg and sperm quality and quantity in the different constitutional (dosha) types. As a general rule, ashwagandha is the fertility tonic for vata and kapha types, shatavari is the tonic for pitta and vata types.

3. Understanding the menstrual cycle and the doshas

The cycle is divided into three phases according to the different constitutions or doshas. Menstruation is controlled by the different doshas. Ayurveda considers that normal menses rotate on a 26-30 day cycle, are usually 5 days long, have a moderate flow, normal colour, no clots, no discomfort, no PMT and do not cause any weight gain, breast pain, digestive upset or insomnia. Of course, there may be individual differences, such as some women regularly having a long cycle, but essentially the above pattern is the ideal.

Vata phase: This predominates during the period itself. Apana vayu (the force that regulates all downward movements in the body) pushes the menstrum down and out, therefore emptying the contents of the womb when menses occur and facilitating delivery during labour. The vata phase lasts from approximately day 1-5 (from the first day of bleeding) but may spread before and after the period if there is any vata aggravation manifesting as digestive upset, constipation, tiredness, anxiety and/or insomnia indicating the need for some vata balancing practices.

Kapha phase: From the end of bleeding until ovulation is a time of building the endometrium and increasing kapha. Oestrogen is increasing. It is the phase of restoring strength to the body and preparing for conception. Imbalances with kapha may manifest as breast distention, weight gain, discharge, tiredness, backache and general heaviness.

Pitta phase: This lasts from ovulation until your period starts. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone which peaks during this phase. This prepares the endometrium for implantation of the fertilized egg and the breasts for milk production. This can be a time of PMT due to pitta accumulating in the blood and liver. As the blood-vessels and menstruation are connected, there can be extra heat in the system, leading to skin irritations, headaches, diarrhoea, feelings of irritation and emotional overload.

Recognising and treating imbalances in the menstrual cycle:

To enhance fertility, any signs of the doshas being out of balance must be normalised.

Vata:

Vata dosha regulates the nervous system. The menstrual cycle is closely related with the nervous system and a relaxed nervous system helps to have a smooth menstrual cycle. Vata also affects the plasma tissue responsible for much of the nourishment of the tissues and the quality of the menstrual flow. Excess vata can dry the plasma fluids in the body. This results in a chain of events from plasma through blood to the menstrual flow. The key here is to balancing vata dosha. Signs of vata being too high are: scanty flow, dark red/brown blood, menstrual cramps (pricking pain, moving pain, numbness), pain radiating down into groin, thighs and lower back ache, a short (less than 5-day) period, irregular cycle, long cycle, vaginal numbness, painful discharge, stiffness, depression, fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, weakness, feeling cold, vaginal dryness, lower abdominal distension, constipation, gas and headaches . Treatment for vata imbalances: It may be an idea to take organic Triphala Plus as well as ginger to improve digestion and circulation in the lower abdomen. Follow a vata-balancing programme including a vata diet, lots of rest, warm sesame oil massage and ashwagandha; the perfect triplets for healing vata imbalances.

Pitta:

Pitta flows in the blood and the menstrual channel. Toxins from digestive excesses seep into the blood creating heat and or toxins here; hence the importance of keeping “hot” pitta under control. Signs of pitta being too high are: excess flow, dark red or purple blood, bright red blood, clotting, longer than 5-7 days, inter-menstrual spotting, an early period, short cycles, hot discharge, unpleasant smelling discharge, sensations of heat, flushing, fever, skin rashes, acne, headaches on temples, migraines, photosensitivity, acne, skin rashes, irritability, anger and diarrhoea. Treatments for pitta: Try including some organic aloe vera juice and shatavari capsules to help clear the heat. Follow a pitta-balancing programme including a pitta-balancing diet with lots of delicious liver-cleansing foods like asparagus, grapes and artichokes to help clear heat.

Kapha:

Kapha is responsible for all anabolic activity and is generated by the plasma tissue and so any problem with metabolism in this tissue will create various kapha problems. Signs of kapha being too high: moderate flow, pale or light red blood, mucus, large clots, slimy menses, pale discharge, sensations of cold, feeling itchy, mild to dull pain, heaviness, weight gain, water retention, oedema, nausea, vomiting, swollen breasts, backache, pallor, feeling sentimental.

Treatments for kapha: Try to include some organic Trikatu in your daily schedule to remove any sluggishness. Follow a kapha-balancing programme including kapha reducing diet that helps to remove fluids such as barley soups, asparagus, celery and vigorous exercise.

Golden tips to balance the menstrual cycle:

• Ensure that there is no obstruction in the pelvic cavity; this means making sure you are not constipated and have no pain during ovulation or menstruation
• Use organic Triphala Plus and organic aloe vera to help with this.
• Daily self-massage with warm organic Sesame oil followed by a warm shower or bath. Focus on a clockwise abdominal massage for 5 minutes a day.
• Take organic aloe vera juice throughout the cycle from day 7 until day 28 to cleanse and nourish the tissues.
• Take organic shatavari capsules to boost fertility and normalise menstruation. Take organic ashwagandha to boost fertility and calm the nervous system
• Drink a tea made from organic fennel seeds, licorice, detox tea or fresh ginger to keep the digestive fire stoked with warming spices.
• Drink organic rose-water regularly as it prepares the uterus for implantation.
• If there are any more serious menstrual irregularities these need to be addressed on an individual basis and you should see a practitioner.
• Use the insight of Ayurveda into the phases of the menstrual cycle to promote your health.
• Follow the dietary and relaxation suggestions below:

In addition, consider these lifestyle recommendations:

• Balance vata during the vata bleeding phase by relaxing, resting, staying warm and calm. Especially keep your abdomen and lower back warm and avoid the cold.
• Balance kapha during the proliferate phase by eating nourishing soups that strengthen the blood and enhance ovulation – include beetroots, asparagus, organic aloe vera, Shatavari, nettles and whole grains in your diet.
• Balance pitta during the last phase of the cycle by keeping off foods that might aggravate the liver or increase heat and stress in your body such as coffee, chocolate and alcohol. Increase your yoga practice, have lots of warm baths and clockwise abdominal massage and increase organic Triphala and aloe vera in your regime to keep the pelvic region uncongested.

Fertility and Nutrition :

The health of your digestion is crucial to your fertility as nourishing yourself through food is the best form of medicine and the key to fertility. Food enters our stomach where the digestive fire turns it into the essential essence of food. It flows through the different tissues where they absorb the nutrients necessary for them to function efficiently. Ultimately the essential nutrients enter and nourish the reproductive system nurturing healthy fertility. In order to keep your digestion in the best of health try and follow these suggestions:

• Do not overeat. Make sure that you leave 1/4 of your stomach capacity free.
• Do not under-eat, and keep meal times regular.
• Leave 4-6 hours between meals, so no snacking!
• The previous meal is digested when the breath is clean and the body feels light.
• Eating between meals weakens the digestive fire.
• Eating cold, wet, heavy foods weakens the digestion, so food should be warm.
• Avoid ice, chilled drinks and eating cold foods straight from the fridge.
• Drink hot water and herbal teas to stimulate the digestive fire.
• Follow a diet appropriate to your age, sex, constitution and the time of year.
• Eat organic food and herbs.

Optimising fertility is one of the delicious arts of Ayurveda as so many fertility tonic foods are an epicurian’s delight. Certain foods and herbs have an affinity for the reproductive system and greatly help to enhance fertility. These are usually delicious foods which are sweet, nourishing and building. Some examples include:

• Grains: Rice (especially basmati or red rice), oats, quinoa
• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, sesame and pumpkin seeds
• Dairy: Milk, cream, ghee
• Seafoods: Seaweeds
• Vegetables: Asparagus, sweet potatoes, beetroot
• Flowers: Roses (eg rose-water or jam), saffron, jasmine, flower pollen Fruits: Dates, pomegranates, figs, grapes, blueberries
• Herbs: Organic ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), shatavari (Asparagus racemosa), Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens), gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), bala (Sida cordifolia), Chywanaprash; plus organic aloe vera juice

Relaxing the nervous system and creating space:

Trying to get pregnant may be stressful and it can be a tense time waiting for day 28 to come around. What is important is that optimising your health can facilitate fertility and that this is a full-time job, every day of the month. Remember that when we are tense then our circulatory channels are also tense, tight and contracted. If this happens then the blood vessels nourishing the uterus, the fallopian tubes and the nervous system can also be constricted, which is the opposite of what is needed to conceive. It is easy to say it, but just try to relax and let nature work her course. Trust in nature. You come from a long line of fertile ancestors. Ayurveda recommends a regular oil massage to keep your body relaxed and and your spirit calm. Of course, the benefits of yoga postures, breathing exercises and meditation practices have a deep impact on the quality of the nervous system and I would strongly recommend you include a daily practice in your fertilityboosting schedule.

Conclusion:

The above recommendations are general outlines of some of the more specific treatments available from Ayurveda. For more serious conditions, longer-term infertility or if preparing for IVF, I recommend that you see a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner and a gynaecologist. That being said, fertility is the natural expression of Gaia. Ayurveda helps you to tune into your own inner Gaia, your own inner natural rhythms and to bring your potential to life.

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, Visitwww.pukkaherbs.com or ring 01275 461950.