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Out of Stock. Couldn't load pickup availability Refresh. How To Take. This is believed to have libido-promoting properties, which may be helpful for both men and women. It might help restore reproductive health and treat premature ejaculation or impotence. This herb is said to tone and nourish the male reproductive system and treat impotence.

It is known to improve sperm count, motility i X The ability of the sperm to move and swim. Avoid combining it with blood-thinning medications. Peruvian Maca root is believed to improve libido, sperm count, and motility.

It is an active endurance enhancer and may rectify erectile dysfunction It might stimulate energy and should not be taken before bedtime.

It has been traditionally used for improving prostate wellness, low libido, and impotence. It might also build and tone the male reproductive system too However, you should not take it in combination with any other fertility or PCOS medications.

It is said to help strengthen the reproductive system in both men and women. It may improve sperm count, motility, and erectile dysfunction.

Note that it may interfere with heart and blood pressure medications. The herb has been traditionally used for treating impotence. It is believed to improve testosterone levels, thus increasing sexual libido 13 Long-term use might lead to vomiting, nausea, headaches, thirst and dry mouth, breathing difficulties , and episodic spasms.

It might help in boosting immunity and improving sperm quality and motility 14 The most common side effect of this herb is diarrhea. It may also influence blood sugar levels and blood pressure. The bark is believed to support healthy circulation in the reproductive organs.

It might, therefore, be used to treat erectile dysfunction and as a libido booster Avoid using in case of low blood pressure; it can be toxic in high dosages.

The dried Goji fruit might protect sperm from overheating hyperthermia , thus helping preserve sperm quality and quantity. It may also support hormonal balance by supporting liver functioning Avoid goji berries if your blood sugar and blood pressure levels are low, as they can further drop them This herb is believed to help in enhancing sperm production.

There is also a belief that it may increase enzyme production and the levels of glycogen, which might be essential for gonad and kidney health. However, there are no scientific studies to support these claims. This herb has been proven to increase sperm count and motility.

In a clinical evaluation conducted on infertile women, the administration of this herd exhibited improvement in spermia, total sperm count, and sperm motility in about half the test population. Also, the use of this herb has been attributed to enhancing fertility in Ayurveda Consult a naturopath or herbalist or midwife for guidance before trying any of these fertility herbs.

Most medical doctors, however, do not suggest herbs as treatments. There are various fertility herbs for men and women available today.

But there is no solid research supporting the facts about how effective these herbs are in enhancing fertility. Therefore, if you are interested in using fertility herbs, you may begin by comprehending the reason and purpose for wanting to use them.

Also, it is best to consult a qualified herbalist or naturopath specialist to learn about the functionality of these herbs.

Additionally, you may consider maintaining a proper diet, lifestyle, and a sound emotional state before planning on the treatment regimen. According to the American Urological Association, you can determine the status of male fertility via methods such as an analysis of medical history accompanied by a physical exam, semen analysis, transrectal ultrasound, testicular biopsy, and a hormonal profile There is limited scientific research on using herbs to cure fertility issues.

Therefore, it is strongly advised to consult your doctor or a certified herbalist before using such medication. Have you been planning your pregnancy for a long time and dreaming of starting a family but are facing challenges due to fertility issues? Read on!

Save Illustration: Momjunction Design Team. Discover fertility herbs that enhance libido and reproductive health. Uncover effective options for men and women, including usage instructions for optimal results. Cheryl Lans et al. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know ; NIH 3.

Bakhtiar Choudhary et al. Dong Quai ; NIH 5. Jackie Greenfield And Jeanine Davis; False Unicorn or Fairy Wand ; North Carolina State University 6. Wild Yam ; Sam W. Hitt Medicinal Plant Gardens; The University of North Carolina 7.

Herbal extracts ; Stetson School of Business and Economics — Mercer University 9. Do Fertility Supplements Actually Work? Kar Wah Leung and Alice ST Wong; Ginseng and male reproductive function ; Spermatogenesis. Gustavo F. Rosemary extracts have been used as antimicrobial agents against vaginal infections in pregnant women One in vitro study showed that essential oils of rosemary had antimicrobial activities against five Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains and two Candida strains obtained from pregnant women with vaginal infections In one clinical trial, a rosemary extract was tested in a randomized double-blinded study involving 82 female students with primary dysmenorrhea To be included in the study, the participants had to have moderate dysmenorrhea with normal menstrual bleeding.

Several phytocompounds have been identified in rosemary extracts, such as caffeic acid, carnosic acid, chlorogenic acid, monomeric acid, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, alpha-pinene, camphor, carnosol, eucalyptol, rosmadial, rosmanol, rosmaquinones A and B, secohinokio, and derivatives of eugenol and luteolin.

Eugenol, rosmanol, cirsimaritin and salvigenin appear to be some of the compounds in rosemary that are responsible for the antinociceptive effects, as they can act on the γ-aminobutyric acid GABA-A receptor Ginger Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae is a perennial herb with a subterranean, branched rhizome root that has a characteristic aromatic odor, a pungent and aromatic taste and are internally pale yellow to brown in color The plant is native to South-east Asia and is cultivated in the tropical regions in both the eastern and western hemispheres, and it is cultivated in Africa, China, India, and Jamaica, and India Ginger products widely used globally as teas, capsules, syrups, and dried rhizomes for the management of digestive diseases, inflammation and the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

Oral administration of ginger-containing products has been used for the treatment of many gastrointestinal ailments including motion sickness, chemotherapy-induced nausea, post-surgical nausea and vomiting, and morning sickness 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , In MTM, ginger is used for the management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Clinical studies suggest that ginger may be useful for the management of morning sickness, as oral ginger reduced the severity of nausea and vomiting in some pregnant women 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , The phenolic chemical constituents vary among the different forms of ginger and have a variety of pharmacological properties including antibacterial including against Helicobacter pylori , antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities, maybe explaining the effects of ginger on the gastrointestinal track.

Viljoen et al. Twelve randomized controlled clinical trials involving pregnant women were included in the review. Ginger appears to be safe and did not increase the risk of spontaneous abortion compared with placebo Ginger was shown to be more effective than vitamin B6 in two studies, and its use was preferred over dimenhydrinate due to fewer adverse events.

The overall safety of ginger use in pregnancy was confirmed by several of the trials that followed patients through childbirth. No significant adverse events were observed with ginger versus placebo. The limitations of these studies are due to the subjectivity in the measurement of nausea and the fact that the treatment times were short one week at most , since most women experience longer period of nausea during their first trimester of pregnancy.

The data suggest that ginger may have potential benefit for reducing nausea in pregnancy Beyond commonly used herbal medicines with experimental or clinical data, many of the plants used by women in MTM have little in the way of supporting pharmacological data. This is critically important as herbal medicines are commonly used by Mexican women during pregnancy Tables 1 and 2 22 , 51 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , Alonso-Castro et al.

The results of this study suggested that Most recommendations for use of these herbs did not come from healthcare practitioners but from information provided by friends and family. Herbal products were most often obtained from pharmacies, local markets and supermarkets chamomile, lemon, 9. arnica, 4.

Except for ginger and chamomile, most of these plants have no safety or efficacy data for use during pregnancy or delivery. Smith-Oka 70 , 78 reported on the use of medicinal plants by the Nahua women in Northern Veracruz, Mexico.

The results of these studies showed that approximately 80 plant species were used medicinally, and women had the most knowledge about medicinal plants, particularly married women with children. Twenty-six of the plant species collected were used to treat reproductive health issues, including contraception, conception, menstruation, pregnancy, and the postpartum period.

Five medicinal herbs were used to increase conception, foster pregnancy, or contraception. Priva lappulacea L. was a plant used to prevent miscarriages 69 , 70 , Hamelia patens Jacq.

Hamelia erecta ] and Bombax ellipticum Kunth Malvaceae were combined and ingested as a tea to induce complete sterility in women Table 1. Another plant, Cydista potosina was prepared as a tea and used for the same purpose, while the use of a preparation of Hybanthus attenuatus Humb.

ex Schult. Schulze-Menz Malpighiales was reported to facilitate conception. Five plants were used by the Natau women for treating heavy menstruation, specifically Tillandsia recurvata Bromeliaceae , H. patens, Manikara zapota L.

P Royen Sapotaceae , Solanum nudum , and Persea americana 69 , 70 , Two plants were administered to speed up the birthing process-namely Nectandra sp.

species not specified and Heliocarpus glanduliferus B. Ex Rose Malvaceae. Four plants were used to treat uterine prolapse, a condition common to these women. A tea of Mentzelia aspera L. Loasaceae was taken orally, while for the other plants Ocimum basilicum, Piper umbellatum , and Pedilanthus thytimaloides were used as a steam or vaginal wash.

In terms of the postnatal period, seven plants, namely Arundo donax, Adiantum tenerum, Hylocereus undatus, Nopalea cochenillifera, Tagetes erecta , Tectaria sp. and sometimes Thelypteris tetragona were combined in water and used to bathe mother and newborn after birth 69 , 70 , In addition, two plants, Solanum nudum and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis , were used to reduce crying in infants.

Interestingly, many of the medicinal plants used by women were cited in pre-Columbian codices, suggesting that their historical use in Mexico exceeded years, and that these medicinal plants were more broadly used across large regions in Mexico 69 , 70 , However, most of these plants have no safety or efficacy data to support their use during pregnancy.

Pérez-Nicolás et al. Some of these plants were used in MTM for fertility regulation in women, of which numerous medicinal plants were used as emmenagogues and abortifacients. Approximately forty plant species were used for the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, and dysmenorrhea.

Thirty-five species were used for postpartum care and to facilitate breastfeeding, 16 species were used as oxytocic agents to induce labor and speed birth, and six plant species were used to prevent miscarriage. In terms of menopause, three plants species were reported to treat menopause and two plants were used for osteoporosis.

These researchers further described several medicinal plants used by mid-wives in Santiago Camotlán, Oaxaca for labor and delivery, as well as childcare.

These plant species included Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis L. Bolli, and Liquidambar styraciflua L. Table 2 Some plants were used in MTM for fertility regulation in women, of which numerous medicinal plants were used specifically as emmenagogues and abortifacients.

Approximately forty plant species were used for the management of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, and dysmenorrhea Table 1. In terms of pregnancy, 35 plant species were used for postpartum care and to facilitate breastfeeding, 16 species were used as oxytocic agents to induce labor and speed birth, and six plant species were used to prevent miscarriage Table 2.

In terms of menopause, three plants species were reported to treat menopause and two plants were used for osteoporosis Table 2.

While there are some experimental and clinical data for some of the more commonly used medicinal plants, many of the plant species have not been scientifically investigated. The use of MTM is more prevalent in rural areas where access to modern clinics and healthcare is limited, especially during pregnancy.

Thus, having access to MTM in these regions is critical for the overall health of these women 8 , 12 , 65 , MTM is also important to rural indigenous women who are often victims of extreme poverty, gender inequality, ethnic discrimination, and lack the financial resources and authority to seek prenatal and obstetric care They tend to fear or mistrust Western medical clinics as these clinics and healthcare workers may lack the cultural sensitivity, language, local knowledge and understanding of indigenous traditional medicines needed to provide adequate healthcare 66 , 82 , One study, the Salud Mesoamérica Initiative, showed that when compared with national averages, the poor, indigenous, and rural patient populations in Mexico and Central America exhibited worse health outcomes The IMSS and the Mexican Ministry of Health and Welfare operate most of the healthcare clinics, and the lack of staffing of community healthcare workers and physicians, may make the quality of care inconsistent, and not culturally sensitive Language is also an important aspect of healthcare, and since many Western trained health workers do not speak indigenous languages, indigenous women often have difficulty explaining their symptoms 66 , 67 , Many Mexican women prefer MTM healers, as well as birthing services offered by midwives rather than nurses and doctors, because midwives incorporate traditional beliefs and medicinal plants into their work, thus preserving the connection with their culture.

The caveat is that midwives often are not trained for complicated pregnancy and deliveries, which may result in serious complications and death 66 , 67 , 68 , The aim of this investigation was to facilitate the medical recognition of medicinal plants in MTM that have been reported to be used for women's reproductive health conditions by correlating the available clinical data supporting their use.

In addition, we have listed other medicinal plants that are also used in MTM for women´s reproductive healthcare that have no clinical data but may serve as a foundation for future scientific and clinical studies.

Of these species, were used as emmenagogues and abortifacients, and to treat PMS, heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and pregnancy. Approximately 16 species were used as oxytocic agents to induce labor and speed birth.

Our study had some similarities to those published from Central America such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Belize where women particularly indigenous and rural are also dependent on plant-based medicines for a wide range of reproductive cycle issues including PMS, pregnancy, and menopause 18 , 19 , 65 , 66 , 67 , For example, in Guatemala and Costa Rica, Pimenta diocia, Piper sanctum, Piper auritum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Zingiber officinale and Citrus aurantium are also used for the management of PMS, pregnancy and menopause 18 , 19 , 65 , 66 , 67 , In Guatemala, Zingiber officinale rhizomes are used to prepare a tea that is taken to reduce hot flashes and night sweats; while a tea made from the leaves and flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is used to reduce sweating and treat nervous conditions 18 , Furthermore, chamomile Matricaria chamomilla tea is used to treat nervousness and insomnia and bitter orange Citrus aurantium is used in a bath to relieve night sweats and insomnia 18 , The wide-spread use of these plants throughout Mexico and Central America for similar purposes is suggestive of efficacy.

While many of the cited plant species have little experimental pharmacological support for their traditional uses, for some of the more commonly used plant species there was considerable amount of supportive clinical and experimental data. Particularly medicinal plants that are used in other countries for similar purposes, such as ginger, chamomile and fennel.

Extracts of these plants are commonly used by women in Europe, the Middle East and China for the management of anxiety, pregnancy, PCOS and the symptoms of PMS 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , Many of the clinical trials for these herbal medicines were performed in the Middle East and the USA showing continued global interest in medicinal plants to treat a wide range of conditions including PCOS, PMS, menopause, and General Anxiety Disorders 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , Some of the limitations of this study include the fact that it relies on data obtained from secondary sources such as peer-reviewed journals, books, and databases, and not from direct field work.

Furthermore, MTM is a complex healthcare system that incorporates many aspects of religion, spirituality, and culture, that were not included in the current work. Since pregnancy appears to be one of the more common uses of medicinal plants in MTM, it is critical that at least basic studies should be performed to validate at least the safety of these medicinal plants.

Other issues posed include the use of many plant species in MTM to treat amenorrhea or those directly used as an abortifacient, indicating that these medicinal plants may have direct effects on the uterus and ovaries, or may exert toxic effects in women or the fetus. Therefore, it is essential that some in vivo scientific investigations be performed to assess toxicity.

The highest prevalence of MTM use appears to occur in the states of Chiapas, Morelos, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Guerrero, Chihuahua, Yucatan, and Veracruz, where the use of MTM and medicinal plants for the management of reproductive health issues by women appears to be extensive.

Some of these institutions work together to prevent the loss of MTM information. The IMSS-Solidarity also offers training to health service personnel in the form of workshops on traditional medicine practices, medical anthropology, and other topics.

Currently, Mexican traditional medicine is a holistic system that combines the ancient healing traditions of the Maya and Aztecs, with that of Spanish and African practices. MTM is essential for healthcare in Mexico and has survived conquest, colonization, and the introduction of Western medicine practices because many MTMs require little if any equipment, are easily transported and obtained.

MTM information has been passed down to each generation orally, most often without documentation, although documentation has been increasing over the last 50 years.

Although some commonly used medicinal plants and practices in MTM have Asian, European, or Middle Eastern roots, they were incorporated into indigenous Mexican healing practices during colonization and continue to be used today.

As in most countries, Mexican women play a central role in family healthcare and are traditionally the providers of medical care and the transmitters of medical knowledge and beliefs. Thus, they are critical for the health of the entire community, particularly the children, all of whom are taken care of exclusively by their female family members.

Gender inequality is still a serious problem in all countries, including Mexico 65 , 68 , where many women are poor and lack the financial resources and authority to seek healthcare.

Plant-based medicines are used for all aspects of reproductive health including the management of menstrual cycles, PMS, pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as menopause.

Interestingly, while many plants have no supporting experimental pharmacology, some of the more commonly used plants have significant clinical and experimental data to support their use.

Thus, for those medicinal plants with no experimental support, the data presented here may be used as a foundation for future research investigations. Mexican traditional medicine and associated medicinal plants provide culturally appropriate healthcare interventions that are accessible, inexpensive and, where clinically validated for safety and efficacy, may be integrated into Western clinical care.

While some medicinal plants have been scientifically investigated, many MTM medicinal plants, including those used during pregnancy have not been extensively studied for safety and efficacy.

Considering the critical role that MTM plays in the health of women and their families, research and development of these practices and medicinal plants is essential to validate their safety and efficacy and should be used as the basis for future research.

Continued scientific investigations into Mexican traditional medicines will make these products safer, improve healthcare initiatives and allow for the development of industry and accessibility for MTM medicinal plant products.

All data and cited studies are peer-revied journal articled, preprints and books available in the public domain; some may require relevant database or journal subscriptions for access.

All data used for the foundation of the manuscript are included in the article and may be obtained by contacting the corresponding author at: mahady uic.

Maduro, R. Curanderismo and Latino views of disease and curing. West J. CAS PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar. Martinez, L. South Texas Mexican American use of traditional folk and mainstream alternative therapies. Article Google Scholar.

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Community Health 35 2 , 92— Article PubMed Google Scholar. West-Rasmus, E. Promotores de salud and community health workers: An annotated bibliography.

Community Health 35 2 , — Graham, A. Manual therapy practices of sobadores in North Carolina. Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar. Neff N. Folk medicine in Hispanics in the southwestern United States.

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Technical Project Report Cohen, M. Licensure of complementary and alternative practitioners. Virtual Mentor 13 6 , — PubMed Google Scholar. Alonso-Castro, A. Medicinal plants used in the Huasteca Potosina México.

Bye, R. Plantas medicinales del México prehispánico. Mexicana 39 , 4—11 Google Scholar. Cruz-Perez, A. Actualized inventory of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Oaxaca Mexico.

Taddei-Bringas, G. Aceptación y uso de la herbolaria en medicina familiar acceptance and use of herbs in family medicine. Salud Pública México 41 , — Article CAS Google Scholar. Rocha-Buelvas, A. Pueblos indígenas y salud colectiva: hacia una ecología de saberes Physis: Revista de Saúde Coletiva Accessed December Brown, C.

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oral extract in subjects with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Mao, J. Long-term chamomile Matricaria chamomilla L. treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial.

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org of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, accessed on 3 July The study protocol and the informed consent forms were approved by the Institutional Review Board IRB at An-Najah National University Archived number 9th June The study was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the declarations of Helsinki World Medical Association , Harmonization ICH Guidelines, the current Good Clinical Practice GPC Guidelines EME and the International Conference and written informed consent for participation in the study was obtained from all informants.

To protect the interest of traditional healers, they were informed by the researchers in details about the current study and its purposes, also they were not offered any incentives and they were able to withdraw from this study at any time.

These traditional healers were well-known in the various Palestinian communities and herbalists which utilized herbal products to treat infertility. The Choice Value CV method is a valuable assessment tool to measure related plant species for the treatment of infertility in males and females [ 24 ].

Pcs : percent of informants that cited certain plant species for the treatment of infertility in males and females. Sc : is the total number of species mentioned for the treatment of disease by all informants. Choice values are ranked from 0 to with indicating complete preference and fewer alternatives.

The frequency of citation FC for all plants species in this study was calculated by using the following formula [ 25 ]:. The results of social and demographic factors of informants showed that the percentage of female healers is slightly higher than males and most of them were uneducated.

The majority of traditional healers were uneducated The highest percent of informants was from Jericho rural area followed by Bethlehem and Hebron which represented In addition, the majority of them The results of the present study showed that a total of 31 plants from 24 families used for the treatment of infertility in females, meanwhile 24 plants from 20 families used for the treatment of infertility in males in West Bank area of Palestine as shown in Tables 2 and 3.

Infusions and decoctions were the most frequently used methods of preparation for treatment of infertility in females as presented in Fig.

Meanwhile, decoctions and infusions were the most frequently used methods of preparation for treatment of infertility in males as presented in Fig. Frequency of herbal remedies preparation methods which used for the treatment of infertility in females.

Frequency of herbal remedies preparation methods which used for the treatment of infertility in males. This was followed by bark, roots, rhizomes and pollen grains as shown in Fig.

Frequency of parts used from the utilized plants in the treatments of infertility in females in the West Bank. This was followed by fruits, flowers, and bulbs as can be seen in Fig. Frequency of parts used from the utilized plants in the treatments of infertility in males in the West Bank.

For huge numbers of childless people, infertility disease considered a personal social and psychological problem, which equitably distributed between males and females. Hence, since ancient times, herbal remedies are considered one of the most available methods in the treatment of this disorder [ 28 ].

Recently, various isolated natural compounds or crude plants extracts are widely used in the treatment of infertility in males such as low sperm accounts, sexual asthenia, erectile dysfunction, the absence of libido and other psychological and physiological disorders [ 29 ].

Concerning the fertility in females, it may be affected by many factors, including various physiological diseases and disorders, malnutrition, and malformations of the uterus [ 14 ]. Usually, the selection of herbs and remedies by traditional healers is based on their experience and information that have been inherited from their ancestors.

As shown in Table 1 , the majority of the informants traditional healers were females and most of them were uneducated people. This result may be due to the Palestinian culture where parents try to transfer the acquired knowledge to their children. In addition, the reason why the majority of them were uneducated may be due to the bad economic situation in this country so many of them consider this tradition as a source of economic income.

Accordingly, the results may be of scientific value and good credibility in some way, since these informants may be struggling to find the best results in order to maintain their clients. The same table also showed that high percentages of the informants were from the rural area of Jericho.

This region is considered a very old historical profile as well as it considered the oldest city and the lowest area in the entire world. The results of the current study showed that the Palestinian ethnopharmacology is rich in herbal remedies used in the treatment of infertility in males and in females.

In fact, a huge number of plants families 44 families were reported to be effective in the treatment of this disorder. However, different plants species were used to treat infertility in females and males as reported in Tables 2 and 3.

In addition, Table 4 showed the highest FC and CV values for the herbal remedies used in the treatment of infertility among females and males in the West Bank area of Palestine. Moreover, in the case of infertility in females, Table 2 showed that 31 herbal remedies were used in the treatment of this disorder and most of them were obtained from fruits and flowers, while the most used method of preparation was an infusion.

The same table also showed that the highest Frequency of Citation FC of herbal remedies in case of female infertility was Meanwhile, the highest Frequency of Citation FC of herbal remedies in case of infertility in males were In comparison with other regional ethnopharmacological surveys about herbal remedies used for the treatment of infertility, Palestine is considered the richest region with these remedies.

In fact, 11, 13 and 23 plants used in the treatment of infertility in males and females were reported in the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian folk medicine respectively [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Table 2 showed that the highest Frequency of Citations of herbal remedies which used in case of infertility in males were Throughout literature review, in the neighboring countries as Lebanon and Jordan, Ferula hermonis was found to be used in case of infertility in males [ 33 , 34 , 35 ].

Moreover, Hadidi et. and by Zanoli et al. Both groups of the study concluded that the acute use of F. hermonis cause an increase in male fertility while the prolonged use of this plant may lead to fertility disturbances.

Moreover, the study conducted by Zanoli et al showed a reduction in body weight and in weights of testes and other sex accessory organs [ 36 , 37 ]. Another study that was conducted by Homady et al. Moreover, the pollen grains of Phoenix dactylifera has been used in the treatment of infertility in males in the folk medicine of several Arabian countries [ 39 , 40 ].

Another study that was conducted by Bahmanpour et al. and Abedi et al. However, to the best of our knowledge, no sufficient scientific studies were conducted in order to prove the safety of consumption of pollen grains of Phoenix dactylifera plant except that one which was conducted by Sadiq et al [ 43 ].

Moreover, the highest Frequency of Citation FC remedies which used in case of infertility in female were Concerning the used preparation methods, infusions and decoctions were the most frequently used methods of preparation for treatment of infertility in females and males Figs.

However, these two methods are considered harsh methods and may negatively affect the efficacy and the final organoleptic properties of the obtained extracts. Therefore, it would be interesting to assess the efficacy and the organoleptic properties of the most cited plants after being extracted by using the friendliest extraction methods such as the cold press and critical fluid extractors.

Concerning the difference between herbal remedies that were advised for male and female, this may be due to the difference between genders in term of physiology and types and level of hormones as well as due to the phytochemical constituents that should affect this physiology and hormonal level.

Such studies usually include a complete chemical analysis for identification of their different chemical constituents, especially those responsible for their pharmacological actions. Throughout history, males and females have tried to enhance or control their fertility with various levels of societal support.

This study showed that the ethnomedicine in the West Bank area of Palestine is rich with plants which used for the treatment of infertility in males and females in comparison with the neighboring countries. Some of the plants found in this study are also used for treating infertility problems elsewhere while others are being reported for the first time.

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National, regional, and global trends in infertility prevalence since a systematic analysis of health surveys. PLoS Med. Shop online Shop in stores. Catalog In Stores Wholesale Ordering Online Red Moon Does Not Sell on Amazon.

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Here you will find "wise woman" herbs that are particularly supportive to reproductive and endocrine systems. Filter Right. Sort by. In Japan, an RCT was conducted to evaluate the effect of tomato juice on male infertility Yu et al.

A total of 54 patients were randomized into two treatment groups and one control group. Treatment group 1 was given 30 mg lycopene from tomato , and treatment group 2 was given an antioxidant capsule, once daily for 12 weeks.

Significant improvement in sperm concentration and motility was detected in treatment group 1 by the sixth week, but no improvement was observed in group 2. A parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of carob syrup C.

siliqua , an evergreen shrub or tree, in comparison with vitamin E as an antioxidant for the treatment of male infertility Aghajani et al. This study comprised 60 patients randomized into two treatment groups.

Group 1 received 7. The results showed a significant increase in semen parameters and hormonal levels of testosterone along with a significant decrease in malondialdehyde MDA in the carob syrup group.

The vitamin E group also showed improvement in semen parameters, but it was comparatively less than the carob syrup group. An experimental single-case study tested the efficacy of the Chinese decoction, Sheng Jing Zhong Zi Tang, in patients suffering from spermatopathy Yang et al.

A total of 83 out of 87 The results also showed that the decoction could have a dual-directional regulatory effect on the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and cortisol. According to the extracted data, all of the studies reported an improvement in at least one or more semen quality parameters except one study Safarinejad et al.

All the studies reported at least one primary outcome concentration, morphology, or motility except one study that reported conception and sperm density Peng et al. The most number of studies three were conducted on Hochu-ekki-to, followed by two on Withania somnifera. Administration of Hochu-ekki-to and Withania somnifera resulted in an improvement in sperm motility and concentration and a decrease in cytokines and an improvement in the primary endpoints of semen, respectively.

Therefore, these herbs show great promise and should be further studied as a treatment option for male infertility. Table 3 summarizes the proposed mechanism of action in which the herbs included in this review improve semen parameters. The primary outcomes assessed for infertility include sperm count, motility, and morphology Buhling et al.

Other possible outcomes include conception, semen volume, hormonal levels testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, etc. There are also various endpoints existing which are indirectly linked to infertility, possibly due to any secondary cause.

These include various cytokines and chemokines. For example, seminal RANTES is a chemokine and acts as a chemoattractant for WBCs in various genital infections, in which the excess can lead to infertility Isobe et al.

On the other hand, TNF-α, which can exhibit genetic polymorphism, leads to decreased sperm motility NAZ and KAPLAN, ; Akashi et al. A decrease in sFas can cause an increase in oxidative stress, thus leading to infertility Furuya et al. Collectively, a decreased concentration of aforementioned chemokines except for sFas it should be increased may lead to improvement in male infertility.

Three studies Yu et al. All three of these studies reported a greater improvement in the herbal intervention group than the pharmacological or supplement-based intervention group.

Nonetheless, recently, a systematic review and meta-analysis have been performed which assessed the efficacy of all the pharmacological interventions used in male infertility. According to the review, the combination of clomiphene, zinc, and testosterone, as well as CoQ10, FSH, and tamoxifen yielded the best improvements in male semen parameters Shahid et al.

Six studies compared an intervention with a placebo Rege et al. All of these studies reported significant improvement in semen parameters, therefore reinforcing the reported efficacy of the herbal interventions used in the study. Five studies compared an intervention with control Ahmad et al.

None of the articles reported any significant improvement in the specified semen endpoints except in one study Peng et al. This improvement in sperm parameters may likely be due to the comprehensive therapy that the control group received.

This was the same therapy received by the treatment group with the difference being the addition of the Gushenyutai plaster which contains 23 herbs.

Some of the studies reported side effects Safarinejad et al. These included common colds, allergic reactions, headaches, hypomania, increased appetite, and nausea. All of these adverse effects were spontaneously resolved and were assumed to not be related to the use of herbal products.

Most of the studies included in this review have shown positive trends in the semen parameters and thus present a strong case of having comparable efficacy and possibly being an alternative to pharmacological interventions in the future.

However, it is really difficult to recommend herbal interventions as alternative to pharmacological interventions as it is hard to come to a conclusion about which one is most effective among those.

Moreover, there were observed discrepancies with the reported clinical outcomes, and somehow, the results of trials were not comparable because of i different treatment durations ranging from weeks to months , ii monotherapy single herb vs. combinations or combined with other therapy, iii no standard comparative agent, iv different extracts no standardization on dose , v patient number and populations with different extents and severity of infertility, and vi inconsistent study endpoints.

Caution must be exercised, however, in the use of herbs at least until the FDA and WHO approve them. Further studies are required to compare the efficacy and safety of these herbal drugs to pharmacological drugs as well as to other possible methods e.

All current and future trials should be comprehensive and conform to the CONSORT guidelines Dworkin et al. It is suggested that further studies comprise larger sample size, different doses of herbal drugs, and a longer duration of the study to maximally achieve more definitive results regarding the safety and efficacy of these drugs for male infertility.

This review may have been affected by publication bias inherited from the trials , as is the case for all medical research practices Easterbrook et al. Research studies on alternative medicine are more prone to publication bias than other studies Ernst and Pittler, A narrative summary is also thought to be susceptible to subjectivity and bias to be limited when the effect size is absent Graham, To minimize this possibility, two reviewers discussed the study outcomes, quality indicators, and the effects of shortcomings in the methodology in detail.

This systematic review has demonstrated the efficacy of herbal medicines in the treatment of male infertility. Herbs may have a role in the management of male infertility. However, more studies are warranted, and future experimental and clinical studies should be directed toward identifying the specific components and mechanisms by which identified components exert their clinical effects.

The preparation of herbal products should be standardized; to ensure a degree of purification of the herbs and thus efficacy, we want to include other kinds of patients or infertility, as in the trial data, and any side effects reported should be well monitored.

As far as the current systematic review is concerned, herbal medicines, especially Hochu-ekki-to and W. somnifera , are potential candidates for alternative treatment options, subject to further studies on aforementioned parameters.

Numerous curbs are associated with this study. Due to a lack of resources, non-English studies were not reviewed as it was difficult to translate them to other languages. A combination of data from non-English literature might alter the significance of the current analysis of various male infertility interventions.

Lastly, due to diversified types of male infertility along with different herbal interventions, all such interventions were classified into multiple types. Along with all the limitations, our systematic review is the first study establishing a comparison among all available herbal interventions regarding male infertility, and this comprises a very significant aspect of this work.

This is perhaps the first study to compare all the available herbal interventions to improve sperm morphology, count, and male infertility health. In addition, this study has also summarized the effects of different herbal interventions which will serve as an ideal approach to optimize the therapy based on the effect size and might be useful in optimizing the cost of therapy as well.

This study is of significant value for healthcare providers and policymakers in selecting the perfect blend of herbal interventions for male infertility patients, keeping in view the existing health resources.

This review establishes that all herbal interventions had a significantly positive effect on male infertility.

There is a need for future experimental studies on these interventions with significant effect sizes so that better pharmacotherapy can be planned to improve the outcome of therapy. MS: conceptualization, methodology, software, data curation, validation, formal analysis, investigation, resources, writing, visualization, and funding acquisition.

HA: investigation, resources, writing, visualization, and funding acquisition. BF: investigation, resources, writing, visualization, and funding acquisition. MY: investigation, resources, writing, visualization, and funding acquisition.

MI: investigation, resources, writing, visualization, and funding acquisition. TS: investigation, resources, writing, visualization, and funding acquisition.

TK: conceptualization, methodology, software, data curation, validation, formal analysis, resources, writing, visualization, supervision, and project administration.

CN: conceptualization, validation, resources, supervision, and project administration. QL: conceptualization, validation, resources, supervision, and project administration.

AB: methodology, resources, and supervision. MK: conceptualization, validation, resources, supervision, and project administration. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors, and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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