Flow, Grow, Move & Hold~The Power of Acupuncture & Herbs for Fertility

How Chinese Medicine & 4 Phase Treatment & Diet Boost Fertility
by Jen Cherewaty RAc, RTCMP ~Chinese Medicine Fertility Specialist

Research Proves Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Boost Fertility
Chinese Herbs and acupuncture support the phases of the menstrual cycle to regulate any areas that are out of balance. Multiple studies have shown that acupuncture alone or combined with herbs can;

• strengthen the immune system and support general health to promote a healthy pregnancy and baby
• decrease uterine contractions, encourage implantation and prevent early miscarriage
• reduce high stress hormones, which may contribute to infertility
• improve ovarian function to produce better quality eggs and a larger number of follicles
• increase blood flow to the uterus to promote implantation

The Phases of the Fertility Cycle

Basal Body Temperature Charting & Chinese Medicine PhasesThe Monthly Period Cycle is divided up into 4 Phases

1. Menstruation~The Flow / The Period (day 1-5) (based on a 28 day cycle)
   During this time, the lining of your uterus is shed. The ideal period has the following qualities;

•start without spotting (or just for a day before period starts)
•flows out in 3-5 days and then stops
•have moderate bleeding for 2-3 days and then flow lightens
•very little low back pain
•very few or no clots or pieces of tissues
•very little low abdominal pain or cramping
•red colour blood (not bright red, dark red or purplish, mucousy or stringy)

Chinese Medicine acupuncture & herbs support this process by moving blood to assist clearing the uterine lining to leave a nice clear base for the next lining to grow on.

• Follicular Phase~The Grow (day 6-12ish)
  The Follicular Phase body builds yin and blood with the goal of building a nice, perfectly thick uterine lining to provide a home for a fertilized embryo to nest into.Additionally, one follicle in the ovary also develop to maturation each month, grows to the surface for release at ovulation.

Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture & herbs support this process by building blood & yin to assist growing the lining and support the development of the follicle.

• Ovulation~The Move (day 12-14 or from 2 days prior to LH surge)
  At this time we want to see the cervical mucous increase and become copious to provide lubrication and support sperm travel. Additionally;

•the libido also should rise during this phase
•once the egg is released from the ovary, the area left on the ovary where the egg was released-the corpus luteum begins to secrete progesterone which makes the body temperature rise and helps to support implantation

Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture & herbs support this process by moving Liver Qi and Blood and assisting the body’s transformation from yin to yang to release the egg and raise body temperature and support progesterone rising.

• Luteal Phase~The Hold (day 15-28) (after ovulation)

•Progesterone rises to keep body temperature elevated to support implantation
•we want the temperature to rise quickly (1-2 days) after ovulation and stay high until just before the period time
•if an embryo implants (usually around day 21) the cells are dividing and multiplying
•if there is a pregnancy the temperature usually stays high
•if there is no pregnancy, the temperature drops and a period starts

Chinese Herbs and acupuncture assist holding a pregnancy if there is one and if not, boosting hormones in the second half of the cycle to support a pregnancy in a future cycle.

Top 10 Foods For Boosting Fertility
Improving diet is a huge factor in Chinese Medicine. Weston Price recommends the following to boost fertility. Please keep in mind that this is a general chart and constitutional changes can be recommended by your TCM Practitioner & Acupuncturist.

• Full Fat Dairy
  •4 cups total or whole raw milk, cheese or yogurt
  •4 TBSP butter/day
• Eggs
  •at least 2/day
• Seafood
  •2-4 servings/week +fermented cod liver oil
• Liver
  •3-4 oz 1-2X/week +fermented cod liver oil
• Bone Broth
  •1 cup/day

• Beef or Lamb
  •daily
• Coconut Oil
  •at least 2 TBSP daily
• Fermented Foods, Drinks & Condiments
  •some each day with meals

• Fresh Fruits & Veggies
  •plenty each day
• Grains
  •only if properly prepared via soaking, souring or sprouting
  •soaking beans and grains before cooking releases phytase, which allows the phytic acid to be neutralized making grains easier to digest and releasing the beneficial enzymes and vitamins from the foods