Whether you are struggling with fertility or preparing your body for conception, there are a few key factors that Ayurveda considers to be crucial during this time.
First, let's look at some of the main causes for infertility. The CDC defines infertility as “not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after on year or longer of having unprotected sex. Because infertility is known to decline steadily with age, some providers evaluate and treat women aged 35 years or older after 6 months of unprotected sex” (1). Ayurveda defines infertility as “the biological inability of a woman of reproductive age to contribute to conception & also the state of a woman who is unable to carry pregnancy to full term” (2). Ayurveda offers so many solutions in the form of diet, herbs, and lifestyle that can address the root cause(s) of infertility before resorting to expensive and invasive modern fertility treatments.
At a very fundamental level, infertility is a result of blocked channels and a lack of nourishment in all seven tissues (Dhatus). Let’s quickly look at the seven tissues (Dhatus) so that we can understand the importance in their role in fertility. The seven Dhatus are plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow and reproductive fluid. In Ayurveda, they are called Sapta Dhatus – Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja, and Shukra, respectively. What we consume (food, drink, thought, etc.) nourishes or deprives each of these tissues in order, beginning with Rasa (plasma) and ending with Shukra (reproductive fluid). The reproductive tissue is the very last tissue in our bodies to be created. It is the most complete and refined result of digested food, thoughts, and emotions. Since healthy reproductive tissues and fluids are necessary for fertility, it is important to evaluate what might be preventing proper nourishment in the seventh Dhatu. Are we consuming nourishing things to begin with? If we are consuming nourishing things, what channels are blocked in the other Dhatus to prevent the nourishment from reaching our reproductive system? Food and lifestyle alone can have a huge impact on our health and fertility. Most likely if infertility is present, it is likely that there are other health challenges occurring. With the help of Ayurveda, we can address health issues and remove blockages to open up channels allowing nourishment to flow unobstructed to all of our Dhatus.
Once any major health issues have been alleviated and blockages have been cleared, there are four essential components that must be addressed to achieve healthy conception. According to Ayurveda, these components are: Timing (rtu), The Field (kshetra), Fluids (ambu), and Seed (bija) (3). Timing is the first component. Timing refers to not only ovulation cycles, but the deeper question “Are we ready?” Even though there will never be a perfect time, and obsessing about the perfect time can bring unnecessary pressure and stress, it is important to ask a few aspects of life to determine whether or not the timing is appropriate. Major considerations are: financial stability, transitions in work or living situation, major wars or calamities close to home, seasons (spring is a better time to conceive than fall), and menstrual cycles (are they regular?). The Field is the second component. The field refers to the health of the seven Dhatus that we have addressed above. In preparation for conception, we should insure that both partners are free from the following: toxins (ama), imbalances, and obstruction in the reproductive organs and tissues. The third component is Fluids. Fluids in the body refer to plasma (rasa) and blood (rakta). Plasma and blood are circulated throughout the body, so if one of these fluids are weak or diseased, the rest of the tissues in the body will be weak or diseased. Weak plasma and blood affects our vitality and immunity, which is knows as Ojas in Ayurveda. When our Ojas is compromised, many things can go out of balance, including our hormones. Hormones affect menstruation, which affects the preparedness of our Field and Timing. With weak Ojas and unhealthy menstruation patterns, fertility is likely to be impeded. The fourth component is The Seed. The seed refers to the egg and sperm. The seed is impacted by: reproductive age (ideally 16-35), good eating and social habits (healthy food, and avoiding excessive use of drugs, alcohol, pesticides, negative relationships, etc.), and environment (avoiding heavy pollution, toxins, etc.).
Ayurveda believes that when diet is wrong, medicine is of no use; when diet is correct, medicine is of no need. Addressing infertility with correct diet and lifestyle, and taking the necessary steps to make sure the Timing, Field, Fluids, and Seed are healthy and balanced is the first and most important step in treatment. All of these components can be addressed simply following the appropriate recommendations for your constitution, adhering to food combining rules, and including foods that build Ojas in your diet. However, if further fertility support is needed, there are gentle, yet powerful herbs that can be utilized to increase fertility. Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Musli, Amalaki, Licorice, Kapikacchu, Vidari Kand, Gokshur, Guduchi, Arjun and Punarnava, are just a few herbs that support Shukra dhatu. Please note it is important to seek the guidance of an Ayurvedic Practitioner when taking these herbs. Not all of these herbs are safe for pregnancy, so use caution and discontinue any herbs that are not specifically recommended for pregnancy as soon as conception occurs.
With knowledge of Ayurveda comes great responsibility. Ayurveda teaches us how to care for our physical body, as well as our emotional and spiritual body; when one is out of balance out whole being suffers. When we are healthy in all ways, we can be open to the potential of conception and give our baby the best possible care, both in and out of the womb.
“Appreciate that achieving fertility is about achieving the healthiest child possible on all dimensions so that the soul may fulfill its purpose to the highest degree.”
– Vrinda Devani, Banyan Botanicals
Sources:
Article Title: Infertility. Website Title: Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Date Published: April 13, 2021. Date Accessed: November 04, 2021
Article Title: Vikaspedia Domains. Website title: Vikaspedia. Date Accessed: November 04, 2021
Article Title: An Ayurvedic Approach to a Healthy Cycle. Author: Vrinda Devani. Website Title: Banyan Botanicals. Date Accessed: November 04, 2021
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