1. *** Disclaimer*** Remember herbs are a form of drugs you should to seek a homeopath, herbalist, or naturist for help. A naturist can be found by doing a search on the association of naturists out on the web.

2. HERBS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

"This list is compiled from several books that I own. If one book contraindicated the herb during pregnancy, it's on this list. My herbalist suggests being careful with these herbs when you're *trying* to conceive, as they may have negative effects on fertility:"

* Aconite * Aloe (internally) * Astralagus * Autumn crocus * Barberry * Bearberry * Beth root * Black Cohosh * Blue Cohosh * Bloodroot *Calamus * Calendula * Cascara Sagrada * Cayenne * Celandine * Comfrey *Cotton root * Echinacea * Ephedra * Fennel * Feverfew * Flaxseed *Gingko biloba * Ginseng * Goldenseal *Juniper * Lavender * Licorice
Root * Licorice * Male Fern * Mandrake * Mayapple * Mistletoe * Mugwort * Nutmeg (can use in cooking) * Passion Flower * Pennyroyal (a *strong* uterine(stimulant!!!) *periwinkle * Poke Root * Rhubarb * Rue * Sage *
St. Johns Wort * Suma * Tansy * Thyme (can use in cooking) * Wild Carrot * Wild Cherry * Wormwood * Yarrow * Yellow sock * Yucca *

3. MORE INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC HERBS

3.1 St. John's Wort: The JAMA advises against using St. John's Wort during pregnancy. They also advise doctors to screen for St. John's Wort in newly pregnant patients. It is not recommended to use St. John's Wort while TTC.

3.2 False Unicorn Root: Used for Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Hormonal Imbalance (balancing effect), Infertility,Morning Sickness, Ovarian Cysts, Spermatorrhea, Threatened Miscarriage, Uterine Prolapse. It is a tonic for the reproductive organs, especially beneficial as an aid to getting pregnant and staying pregnant, has a normalizing effect upon the ovaries. Used in infertility caused by dysfunction in follicular formation in the ovary.
Eases ovarian pain and vaginal dryness. I've seen it warned about this herb not to take it unless you want to get pregnant!Taking too much may cause hot flashes, kidney and stomach irritation,blurred vision or vomiting.

3.3 Evening Primrose Oil is a fatty acid that helps to increase thyroid function in women who are mildly hypothyroid. Hypothyroidism can cause anovulation and miscarriage. It is also used to improve CM
and increase estrogen. Most ONNAs take 1000mg per day although you may want to start with up to 3,000 mg per day to build up your body's stores. The jury is still out on when to take EPO. Many ONNAs take it all the time -- the most appropriate choice for treatment of hypothyroidism. But because it may thin the uterine lining, making implantation more difficult, many ONNAs take it only prior to ovulation.

3.4 Red Raspberry Leaf: uterine tonic. Raspberry leaves have a long tradition of use in pregnancy to strengthen and tone the tissue of the womb, assisting contractions and checking any hemorrhage during labor.
As an astringent it may be used in a wide range of cases, including diarrhea, leukhorroea and other loose conditions. It is valuable in the easing of mouth problems such as mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and inflammations. As a gargle it will help sore throats. Raspberry is also very rich in iron and calcium.)*** quote from someone: "As for the Red
Raspberry leaf tea, it is not recommended until after the third month and then it is only a cup a day. It is a uterine toner and works on the smooth muscle of the uterus so in early pregnancy it can cause bleeding. I have both read this in my reference books and seen it discussed on alt.folklore.herbs. It is not until your third trimester that you can take up to 3 cups a day. It is not something I would ever
recommend before the third month of pregnancy, but that is just me, I would rather be cautious than foolish." You may take red raspberry tea or capsules throughout your cycle.

3.5 Chaste Tree Berry (also called Vitex) uterine tonic, chaste berry has the effect of stimulating and normalizing pituitary gland functions, especially its progesterone function. It may be called an amphoteric remedy, as it can produce apparently opposite effects though in truth it is simply normalizing. It has for instance a reputation as
both an aphrodisiac and as an anaphrodisiac! It will usually enable what is appropriate to occur. The greatest use of chaste berry lies in normalizing the activity of female sex hormones and it is thus indicated for dysmenorrhea, premenstrual stress and other disorders
related to hormone function. It is especially beneficial during
menopausal changes. In a similar way it may be used to aid the body to regain a natural balance after the use of the birth control pill. Because it is not recommended for pregnancy, many women stop taking it when they ovulate. However, because it can increase progesterone and extend the luteal phase, some women begin taking it when they ovulate.
Also, it may suppress ovulation in some women.
*** Some herb books warn not to take Vitex while pregnant or after Ovulation! ***

3.6 Dong Quai: (Angelica sinensis root) is the noted Chinese herb that is used as a blood tonic. It contains micronutrients known for their blood building properties (iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin E). Dong Quai balances estrogen in the body, and is traditionally used in China to regulate the menstrual cycle.

3.7 Wild Mexican Yam can increase progesterone production. This can increase progesterone production for those with short luteal phases but should only be taken AFTER ovulation. If taken before it can actually prevent ovulation.

4. MALE FACTOR:

To improve sperm count, normal forms and motility
To be taken every day:

1000-3000mg Vitamin C (morphology)
500-1000mcg B complex (or B12)(morphology)
1000mcg Vitamin B12 (oligospermia)(morphology)
200iu Vitamin E (morphology)
30mg Zinc (count)(morphology)
L-Arginine (motility)
5mg Folic Acid (morphology)
200-400 mcg Selenium (for motility)
500iu Vitamin A (for motility)
300-1000mg L-Carnitine (for motility)
(800mg - 1 capsule) Saw Palmetto

Eat plenty of mint, broccoli, apples, shallots, pineapples, ginger,cabbage, parsley and grapes. Drink 8 glasses of water per day.

No alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, diesel engine smoke, lead, cotton seed oil, charred meat. Keep testicle heat down by wearing boxer shorts, no intense exercise, no bike riding, no spa baths, take cold showers.

A recent study suggests that supplementing with Pycnogenol can improve morphology. The suggested dosage for Pycnogenol is 1.5-3.0 mg per kg of body weight (1 kg = 2.2 lb.) for the first 7 to 10 days, then a maintenance dose of 50-100 mg/day. This was a preliminary study and more research is in progress, but the subjects had a 99% increase in
non-deformed sperm (total count remained the same).

Have also heard that Tribulus Fuel; Yohimbe; Astralgus Root; Bee Pollenand Siberian Ginseng can help, but not sure what with (morphology,motility or count) and not sure of quantities.

5. AROMATHERAPY

5.1 ***CAUTIONS***
Do NOT use essential oils on skin without first diluting with a
suitable carrier oil! Can be used in bath, massage or inhaled - do not take internally.

The following essential oils should be avoided when pregnant, so I would suggest avoiding them after ovulation while trying to conceive:
Aniseed, Atlas Cedar, Basil, Clary Sage, Cypress, Cinnamon, Fennel, Hyssop, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Organum, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme.

Clary Sage should be avoided at all times if you have endometriosis, or breast, ovarian or uterine cysts.

Rosemary should be avoided if you have high blood pressure.

To avoid if you have Epilepsy: Camphor, Fennel, Hyssop, Sage and Rosemary.

Bergamot, Lemon and Orange may cause skin sensitivity to the sun

5.2 ESSENTIAL OILS FOR SPECIFIC PROBLEMS

Female organ regulator - Rose (also an aphrodisiac!)
Female reproductive system - Sage
Infertility - Geranium, Pomegranate
Endometriosis - Geranium
Amenorrhea (missing or scanty periods) - Basil, Clary Sage, Marjoram,
Myrrh
Dysmenorrhea (painful periods/menstrual cramps) - Basil, Chamomile,
Clary Sage, Cypress, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Marjoram, Peppermint,
Rosemary
Menorrhagia (Heavy periods) - Cypress
Metrorrhagia (Bleeding between periods) - Frankincense
PMS- Bergamot, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Melissa, and Sweet Marjoram
Depression - Basil, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium,
Lavender, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang
Stress - Bergamot, Atlas Cedar, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium,
Lavender, Sweet Margoram, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Fertility Blend: Check out www.aromaleigh.com
"This site is great! It has aromatherapy for humans, dogs and cats. I just got the Fertility Blend, and I know someone else on ONNA uses it as well. I also got shampoo and body wash (all natural, no SLS) and everything is freshly blended when your order is received. The carrier oil is already blended in."


6. FINDING INFORMATION ABOUT HERBS AND AROMATHERAPY

Informative Sites:
metalab.unc.edu/herbmed/mediherb.html - the alt.folklore.herbs
Medicinal Herb FAQ. Contains a huge amount of information. The Herbs
and Female Fertility section is at
metalab.unc.edu/herbmed/m...tml#c2_2_8
www.healthy.net/clinic/th...index.html
www.mothernature.com/ - commercial site with lots of information
and a discussion forum where you can post questions and answers
www.fragrant.demon.co.uk/main.html - excellent aromatherapy
guide

Buying Herbs Online:
www.allherb.com/
www.healthherbs.com
www.mothernature.com/

Thats a good article. THanks.

I also found these pages to be of interest

Female Infertility

and

Male Infertility