5 reasons Shatavari is a wonder herb for women trying to get pregnant

This herb is known to be an aphrodisiac and improve libido, plus it also improves your chances of conception!

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If you are trying to conceive and doing everything by the book -- having sex during the fertile days and eating healthy, but in vain, you should probably take help from ancient remedies before opting for expensive IVF or fertility treatments. Shatavari, a well-known herb used in Ayurveda is known to boost fertility in both men and women, improve libido and hence, increase chances of conception. Here are expert tips to better your chances of getting pregnant after IVF treatment.

Here is how Shatavari works to improve fertility in women:

It restores hormonal imbalances: Many women, during their reproductive age, suffer from a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome, which hampers ovulation and leads to hormonal imbalances. While conventional medicine can be of help, Shatavari is known to reduce the symptoms, restore hormonal imbalances and improve chances of conception. Consumption of this herb can help improve follicular maturity and stabilise irregularities in the menstrual cycle all of which can have increase chances of conception [1]. Here are five ways of improving your chances of getting pregnant without medication.

It relieves stress: Stress affects fertility in a big way leads to anovulation (late ovulation or no ovulation at all), inflammation or injury to tissues of the reproductive system that can cause endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts and much more. However, Shatavari improves the production of white blood cells that help to reduce the inflammation, absorb the harmful toxins and waste material from the bloodstream and help the body to gear up for reproduction eliminating the effects induced by stress [2]. Here are three ways in which stress can harm fertility.

It improves ovulation: One of the main constituents of Shatavari is steroidal saponins, which is known to be an estrogen regulator; the estrogen modulating in turn may contribute to menstrual cycle regulation and better ovulation [2]. Here are simple tips to track the days when you are ovulating.

It improves secretion of cervical mucus: Low cervical mucous can be one reason that comes in the way of your pregnancy. Cervical mucous is secreted by the cervix as you approach ovulation and estrogen is at its all time high. This cervical mucous is responsible to help the sperm get through the female reproductive tract and meet the egg. Shatavari contains mucilage that protects the mucous membranes of the cervix and acts as a tonic for it. So when it is time it helps the cervix secrete adequate amount of mucous to help sperm meet the egg [3].

It reduces toxic build up: In a way Shatavari also helps to eliminate toxic build up in the body and create an environment which is healthy for a sperm and egg to unite and for a pregnancy to flourish.

How to use it

The suggested dosage amount is 4.5 to 8.5 mL of dried plant extract or 1,000 2,000 mg a day. This herb is commonly sold in capsule form as well. However, it is advised not to take this herb without consulting an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner. Remember, taking over-the-counter herbal medicines can impact you in big way as they might be contaminated with heavy metal, so go for prescription drugs.

References:

[1] Dayani Siriwardene, S. A., Karunathilaka, L., Kodituwakku, N. D., & Karunarathne, Y. A. U. D. (2010). Clinical efficacy of Ayurveda treatment regimen on Subfertility with poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). AYU (An international quarterly journal of research in Ayurveda), 31(1), 24.

[2] Rege N N, Nazareth H M, Isaac A A, Karandikar S M, Dahanukar S A. Immunotherapeutic modulation of intraperitoneal adhesions by Asparagus racemosus. J Postgrad Med [serial online] 1989 [cited 2015 Jun 24];35:199-203.

[3] Alok, S., Jain, S. K., Verma, A., Kumar, M., Mahor, A., & Sabharwal, M. (2013). Plant profile, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari): A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease,3(3), 242-251.

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