For women trying to have a baby, the road may be long and arduous and the journey fraught with frustration and disappointment. Perhaps, a woman has tried all of the conventional or traditional ways of getting pregnant and maybe reproductive assistance methods have not worked out, what else is there left to try? Could there be herbs for women trying to conceive

which could improve the odds and make it easier to become pregnant?

As you know, there are many medicines and pharmaceuticals which are derived from shrubs, trees or herbs. The World Health Organization notes that 74% of the 119 plant derived pharmaceuticals used in traditional medicine are utilized in the same ways as done by native cultures. Herbs whether used for traditional medicine or in native cultures work the same way, via chemical composition. Herbs and plants act directly on the bloodstream and produce slower, less profound effects than pharmaceutical medications.

Herbs and plants are considered medicinal, and as such should be used with caution; a woman that is trying to become pregnant should always consult with a physician to be on the safe side. Trying to conceive and natural medicine can offer hope to women that have tried and failed at becoming pregnant in other ways.

Some of the most popular herbs used to improve fertility, include the following:

1. Black Cohosh: an antispasmodic which alleviates cramping and can be taken in the first half of the menstrual cycle to the point of ovulation.
2. Evening Primrose Oil: helps to improve cervical fluid quality and contains beneficial fatty acids which are helpful to the brain. The herb causes uterine contractions so should be avoided during ovulation in the event that conception may occur, it could increase the risk of miscarriage.
3. Dong Quai: thought to be a female hormone regulator and helps improve the health of the uterus.
4. False Unicorn: helps alleviate ovarian pain and female infertility, could be taken during the first half of menstrual cycle and ovulation.
5. Vitex (Chaste Berry): known to be a female herb, helps with hormone regulation and can be used during the entire menstrual cycle and is safe during the ovulation.
6. Red Raspberry Leaf: herb can be taken during the entire menstrual cycle and strengthens the uterine lining, and helps increase the luteal phase of ovulation.
7. Sequoia: helps alleviate fibroids, benefits all uterine complaints and is a uterine tonic.
8. Black Haw Bark: helps with amenorrhea, anovulation, thyroid regulation, miscarriage, endometriosis, uterine cramps, morning sickness, and uterine inflammation and is good for the uterus.
9. Wild Yam Root: helps with fibroids, menstrual cramps, nausea, threatened miscarriage, hormonal imbalance, uterine pain, cystitis, ovalialgia, fibrositis, and morning sickness.
10. Saw Palmetto: helps with PCOS, PCO, dysmenorraghia, and is beneficial to all uterine complaints.

There are many herbs for women trying to conceive which can be very beneficial and help increase fertility. Trying to conceive and natural medicine can be a topic a woman may wish to explore when other avenues of becoming pregnant have been uneventful. It is not necessary to take all of these herbs at one time, after careful consideration and consultation with an herbalist and a fertility specialist however, a woman can decide which ones would be beneficial to her body and improve her chances of conceiving naturally.

Author: Tania Tod is a registered nurse, currently working in the health and fitness field as an aerobics instructor and trainer. Read more about herbs and trying to conceive on her blog