What are some herbs to increase fertility in men and women?
It is estimated that about 15% of couples have trouble conceiving even after a year of frequent sexual intercourse.
It is often due to problems with the complex reproductive system in women but it can also be caused poor sperm quality in men.
There are many natural remedies that can boost fertility in both men and women.
The natural remedies focus on balancing on the hormone functions, keeping the reproductive system at an optimal state, enhancing sexual desire and reducing stress.
The herbs listed are suggested by experts as being helpful in promoting reproductive health.
This will ensure that the women's critical reproductive system and ovum (egg) is at optimium health.
These supplements are not a replacement for an unhealthy lifestyle.
What are some examples of unhealthy lifestyle?
Not getting any form of exercise or eating a diet high in saturate fats and low in fruits and green leafy vegetables.
As well, smoking and drinking alcohol must be eliminated when you are trying to get pregnant.
Natural Remedies | What
experts say about them |
Chasteberry (Vitex) |
![]() Chasteberry balances the hormone levels to boost fertility. It is helpful in women with irregular ovulation. It increases the luteinzing hormone and thus boost progesterone production. Dosage: Take 160 to 240 mg daily until conception. |
Bee Propolis |
Women suffering from endometriosis who are taking bee propolis for six months had significant increases in pregnancy rate. Dosage: Take 500 mg twice daily. |
Vitamin C |
Vitamin C is shown in one clinical study to help infertility in women suffering from luteal phase defect. Dosage: Take 750 mg daily. |
Melatonin | ![]() Combining melatonin with vitamin E (600 mg/day) reduces oxidative stress on the egg and this may increase fertility rate in women undergoing IVF treatments. See Melatonin for Fertility for a discussion of the research study behind this use. Dosage: Take 3 mg daily. |
Maca | In one study, researchers showed that mice fed maca delivered more off springs. |
Essential Fatty Acids |
Helpful Taking fish oil helps to maintain uterine health. It also helps to regulate the production of female hormones. Dosage: Take 1 gram three times daily. |
B-Complex vitamins |
Helpful B-vitamins are essential for keeping the reproductive system working at an optimal level. They are also needed for the fetus to develop properly. See Vitamin B12 for Fertility for more information. Doage: Take a B-complex 50 or 100 vitamin along with a multivitamin. |
The quality of the sperm can be affected by your diet and lifestyle.
This is more so in men than in women. And it is much easier to test for the quality and quantity of the sperm.
As with the recommendation on lifestyle suggested for women, the same applies to men as well.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. And include in your diet foods low in saturated fat. Include more fruits and green leafy vegetables as well.
Although it may be costly, men are able to get their sperm analyzed for their quality, quantity and motility.
Natural Remedies | What experts say about them |
L-Arginine |
![]() Several studies done in humans show that this amino acid increases sperm count as well as sex drive. It is often used in combination with pycnogenol. Dosage: Take 2 grams twice daily. |
Pycnogenol | ![]() Several studies show that taking Pycnogenol with L-arginine significantly increased semen volume, sperm count and sperm quality after 1 month of use. See Pycnogenol for Fertility for further details and the research studies to show this benefit. Dosage: Take 200 mg daily. |
Vitamin D | ![]() One study showed that low levels of vitamin D is associated with lowered sperm motility. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency may make it more difficult for the sperm to penetrate and fertilize the egg. However, it is unknown if a supplement would help boost sperm motility in men who are not low in vitamin D. See Vitamin D for Fertility for further details and the research studies behind this benefit. Dosage: Take 1,000 mg daily. |
Vitamin C | ![]() Taking this antioxidant protects the DNA in the sperm cell against oxidative damage. See Vitamin C for Fertility for the complete set of research study on this. Dosage: Take 1,000 mg daily. |
Vitamin E |
![]() Animal and clinical studies show that taking vitamin E boost fertility rate by up to 30%. See Vitamin E for Fertility for a discussion on the research studies. Dosage: Take 400 IU daily. |
Panax ginseng |
![]() Ginseng is shown to increase sperm production, sexual performance and activity in animal and human studies. Dosage: Take 200 mg daily. |
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) |
![]() Clinical studies show that taking CoQ10 improved sperm motility and quality in animals and human studies. A recent well-designed study involving 60 men show that CoQ10 supplement only reduced oxidative stress but that it did not improve sperm quality. See Coenzyme Q10 for Fertility for the complete details. Dosage: Take 200 mg daily. |
L-Carnitine |
![]() Taking L-carnitine supplement is shown to improve sperm motility. Dosage: Take 1,500 mg twice daily. |
Selenium | ![]() Selenium is needed for the proper production of sperm cells. One study showed that taking selenium supplement improved the quantity and mobility of sperm cells. However, benefit is only seen if you are deficient in selenium. See Selenium for Fertility for the specific details. Dosage: Take 200 mcg (micrograms) daily. |
Melatonin | ![]() Low levels of melatonin are commonly found in men suffering from infertility. Animal studies show that melatonin supplementation boost sperm quantity and motility. See Melatonin for Fertility for a discussion of the research study behind this particular use. Dosage: Take 3 mg daily. |
Zinc |
![]() Studies done in animals and humans show that a deficiency in zinc compromises sperm production. Taking zinc increases sperm count, motility and quality. See Zinc for Fertility for the clinical data and a discussion of this fact. Dosage: Take 50 mg twice daily with 3 to 5 mg of cooper. |
Tribulus Terrestris | ![]() Studies in animals show that taking tribulus terrestris boost sperm production without affecting testosterone levels. Dosage Suggested: Take 250 mg daily. |
Maca | ![]() There are studies from animal experiements showing that taking maca increased sperm count. Suggested Dosage: Take 500 to 1,000 mg daily. Also see Maca Dosage for further details on higher doses that have been used. |
Vitamin B12 |
Helpful
Deficiency in vitamin B12 can reduce sperm count and reduce sperm motility significantly. See Vitamin B12 for Fertility for more information. Dosage: Take 400 mcg (microgram) daily. |
Revised: August 29, 2019