Rhodiola - The little known fertility herb

Rhodiola - The little known fertility herb

Rhodiloa rosea (goldenseal or rose root) is an herb most commonly known for its ability to improve mood, relieve depression, reduce fatigue, and improve mental and physical performance. However, it can have dramatic benefits for women trying to conceive and struggling with female infertility.

Rhodiola grows in cold climates around the world and has been used in Russian and Scandinavian folk medicine for centuries to help its users cope with the cold winters. Rhodiola has been used to improve physical endurance and work productivity, as well as to treat and prevent altitude sickness, depression, anemia, nervous system disorders, fatigue, impotence, depression, infections, and gastrointestinal disorders. This useful plant is commonly referred to as an adaptogenic herb. Adaptogenic herbs have broad effects that help the body respond to physical, emotional and chemical stress. They have tonic effects that balance endocrine hormones and the immune system.

Emotional stress has a detrimental effect on a woman's fertility. Chronic stress in women can lead to menstrual irregularities, hormonal changes, impaired ovulation, weight gain, and increased cortisol and prolactin levels, all factors that affect conception. For naturopaths, appropriate management of stress has always been an important aspect in the treatment of many medical conditions, including infertility. Adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola are the secret weapon used by naturopathic doctors and herbalists to help their patients overcome the negative physical and emotional effects of stress.

The effect of rhodiola extract was examined in women who suffered from amenorrhea (loss of the menstrual cycle). Forty women with amenorrhea were administered Rhodiola (either 100 mg of the extract orally twice daily for 2 weeks or 1 ml of an injectable preparation intramuscularly for 10 days). Normal menstruation was restored in 25 women, 11 of whom became pregnant. It was also noted that one of the study authors has treated several women in his practice who were unable to conceive using standard fertility medications and who became pregnant within a few months of starting rhodiola extract.

Over 60% of women had a normal return of menstruation, which is pretty impressive. Over a quarter of women who become pregnant are equally, if not more, impressive. To put this into perspective, recent research shows that the commonly prescribed fertility treatment Clomid is effective for unexplained infertility in 16% of cases. Comparing this study of Rhodiola to advanced reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), which can cost $15,000 per treatment cycle, Rhodiola outperforms IVF in a recent study, resulting in pregnancy in 26% of cases. This little-known and often overlooked herb has dramatic benefits in helping women improve fertility and conceive, even when compared to the most advanced techniques available.