As I mentioned in the first post of this series, Herbs For Fertility, conceiving a child may not be as simple as it once seemed. Fertility issues affect many, and can cause stress and frustration. There are herbs that can help with fertility issues and there are also herbs that can help you with those feelings of negativity you may experience along the way. Many herbalists, including myself, believe that having a positive outlook can help tremendously with health issues. So here are my favorite herbs to help you look on the brighter side of life.
This is by no means and exhaustive list. These are just herbs I have personally used over the years and what I have used them for. Like I said in the previous post, not everything works the same for everyone. These herbs, however, are pretty well research and used by herbalists for these purposes.
Ashwagandha Root: Widely used as an energy boost. Great for mid-day when you are starting to feel the effects of your daily load weighing you down. It is also known for enhancing memory. Overall, you can use Ashwagandha to give yourself a much needed physical and mental boost.
Astragalus: Another herb to help boost energy. This one is also known to help give your immune system a boost, which is always a good thing when you are trying to conceive!
Garlic: Numerous studies have shown that Garlic can help with memory and energy. Easily obtained in your grocery store and makes a nice addition to many meals. Using fresh herbs in meals like this is an easy way to reap the benefits of the herb. Add some garlic to your lunch for an afternoon energy boost.
Lavender: Lavender is a very popular essential oil, but the herb can also be very useful! Like the essential oil, lavender herbs have anti-depressant, stress relief, and relaxing qualities. It is a great night-time herb. I sleep with a sachet of lavender buds in my pillow at night to help with a restful night's sleep.
Lemon Balm: This is a great herb for calming down and relaxing after a long day. Have some Lemon Balm in your night tea or take an extract to relax your mind and body before bed time to help get a good night's sleep. It also has anti-depressant qualities.
Rhodiola: A great choice if you need help with depression, memory, and high stress. I have a blend of herbs I call "Afternoon Pick Me Up" that consists of Ashwagandha, Astragalus, and Rhodiola to help with energy and the mid-day funk at work. I love the results I get and find I am more productive in the afternoon than I am most mornings.
Rose: I love using infused rose oil in my bath. The smell is relaxing and uplifting. I just feel nice when I am smelling roses. I think this is why they are such a popular flower to give to a person you love and why they are used so often in perfumes. Even taking a fresh rose petal and rubbing it between your fingers and smelling can do a lot for my mood. It creates calmness and is an anti-depressant.
Skullcap: A great sedative! Not quite as strong and overpowering as Valerian, but has a similar effect to calm the mind and help prepare you for sleep. Many use it as a remedy for panic attacks. It is definitely one you want to save for times when you can really allow yourself to fall into a deep relaxation, like bed time.
So whether you are looking for an energy boost, or a nice way to relax, herbs can be a companion. How you use these herbs will depend on which herb you are working with. Teas are, of course, pretty easy and a good, basic way to get your daily herbal intake. Extracts and glycerites are not quite as easy to obtain, but once you have them are very easy to take. Herbs can also be infused in a carrier oil and/or used in the bath to get benefits from them. Always do your research on the best way to use a particular herb and when you shouldn't use an herb (i.e. if you are on a prescription medication). When in doubt, contact an herbalist!
At this point, if you haven't already been familiar with herbs for years, your head may be spinning with all of the options! Which to choose? How to take them? When to take them? In my next post I will be addressing these with a few different regimens you can try while trying to conceive to help with your mind, body, and spirit.
This is by no means and exhaustive list. These are just herbs I have personally used over the years and what I have used them for. Like I said in the previous post, not everything works the same for everyone. These herbs, however, are pretty well research and used by herbalists for these purposes.
Ashwagandha Root: Widely used as an energy boost. Great for mid-day when you are starting to feel the effects of your daily load weighing you down. It is also known for enhancing memory. Overall, you can use Ashwagandha to give yourself a much needed physical and mental boost.
Astragalus: Another herb to help boost energy. This one is also known to help give your immune system a boost, which is always a good thing when you are trying to conceive!
Garlic: Numerous studies have shown that Garlic can help with memory and energy. Easily obtained in your grocery store and makes a nice addition to many meals. Using fresh herbs in meals like this is an easy way to reap the benefits of the herb. Add some garlic to your lunch for an afternoon energy boost.
Lavender: Lavender is a very popular essential oil, but the herb can also be very useful! Like the essential oil, lavender herbs have anti-depressant, stress relief, and relaxing qualities. It is a great night-time herb. I sleep with a sachet of lavender buds in my pillow at night to help with a restful night's sleep.
Lemon Balm: This is a great herb for calming down and relaxing after a long day. Have some Lemon Balm in your night tea or take an extract to relax your mind and body before bed time to help get a good night's sleep. It also has anti-depressant qualities.
Rhodiola: A great choice if you need help with depression, memory, and high stress. I have a blend of herbs I call "Afternoon Pick Me Up" that consists of Ashwagandha, Astragalus, and Rhodiola to help with energy and the mid-day funk at work. I love the results I get and find I am more productive in the afternoon than I am most mornings.
Rose: I love using infused rose oil in my bath. The smell is relaxing and uplifting. I just feel nice when I am smelling roses. I think this is why they are such a popular flower to give to a person you love and why they are used so often in perfumes. Even taking a fresh rose petal and rubbing it between your fingers and smelling can do a lot for my mood. It creates calmness and is an anti-depressant.
Skullcap: A great sedative! Not quite as strong and overpowering as Valerian, but has a similar effect to calm the mind and help prepare you for sleep. Many use it as a remedy for panic attacks. It is definitely one you want to save for times when you can really allow yourself to fall into a deep relaxation, like bed time.
So whether you are looking for an energy boost, or a nice way to relax, herbs can be a companion. How you use these herbs will depend on which herb you are working with. Teas are, of course, pretty easy and a good, basic way to get your daily herbal intake. Extracts and glycerites are not quite as easy to obtain, but once you have them are very easy to take. Herbs can also be infused in a carrier oil and/or used in the bath to get benefits from them. Always do your research on the best way to use a particular herb and when you shouldn't use an herb (i.e. if you are on a prescription medication). When in doubt, contact an herbalist!
At this point, if you haven't already been familiar with herbs for years, your head may be spinning with all of the options! Which to choose? How to take them? When to take them? In my next post I will be addressing these with a few different regimens you can try while trying to conceive to help with your mind, body, and spirit.