Poor Egg Health

To create an environment for healthy eggs, we first need to consider naturally cleansing herbs, herbs for hormonal balance, proper endocrine function and improved circulation to the reproductive organs. Stress plays a role in egg health as well, therefore if stress is present, herbs that support healthy stress response and calm the nerves should be used as well.

• Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera): Supports overall endocrine system function.
• Bee Pollen/Propolis: Bee pollen has been reported to have great results in boosting immunity and fertility. Bee propolis has been found to support healthy immune, inflammation and stress response in the body. 
• Burdock root (Arctium lappa): Supports overall liver function for improved hormonal balance. Cleansing for the entire body.
• Castor Oil, oil pressed from bean (Ricinus communis): When Castor Oil is applied as a pack to the abdomen it can be used to enhance circulation and promote healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin. Castor oil works to provide cleansing to the area applied, through stimulation of the lymphatic system.  
• Dong Quai root (Angelica sinensis): Aids in hormonal balance. Supports healthy circulation to the reproductive organs.  
• Fo-ti root, also known as He Shou Wu, Ho Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum): Adaptogen, supporting overall endocrine function, immune and stress response. Nourishing to the liver and kidneys. Considered one of the best herbs for protecting health long-term. Because of this it is considered excellent for people trying to conceive who are over 40 years old.  
• Ginger root (Zingiber officinale): Increases circulation, promotes healthy inflammation response. Improves digestion for proper nutrient absorption, boosting overall health.
• Lemon Balm leaf (Melissa officinalis): Excellent nervous system support. Supports healthy stress response, lessens depression and anxiety. Good emotional health, and stress response is important prior to conception.
• Maca root (Lepidium meyenii): Maca is a nourishing food for the endocrine system, aiding both the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands (all involved in hormonal balance). Works to protect the body from stress damage. Shown to support and increase egg health.  
• Milk Thistle seed (Silybum marianum): Supports hormonal balance. It is one of the best plants for liver health. Liver health is vital for hormonal balance. The liver helps to filter toxins from the body, including excess hormones.  
• Motherwort, aerial parts (Leonurus cardiaca): Supports healthy stress response; for depression, anxiety, stress associated with the menstrual cycle, or in life. Aids in heart and circulatory function.  
• Oat straw (stems), Milky Oats (tops) exert a stronger effect than oatstraw, (Avena sativa): Nourishing, aids in stress reduction by supporting nervous system. Great support for stress related fertility issues.

Supplements 
 Take a Multivitamin A major key to supporting egg health and preparing the uterine lining is to take a preconception specific or prenatal multivitamin. Making sure your body has all of the nutrients necessary is a lot easier when you are taking a multivitamin. My favorites are the 100% whole food Fertile Woman One Daily Multi for preconception health and the prenatal multivitamin Baby and Me from Mega Food. Synthetic multivitamins won’t have the same effect as multivitamins made from whole foods. It is also a great idea to begin taking a multivitamin specific for fertility health, in preparation for pregnancy, since there are specific nutrients needed by the embryo/fetus before pregnancy can even be detected.

Antioxidants
Antioxidants are one of the most important components to having healthy fertility that every woman needs to focus on, especially if you are wanting to support your egg health. Antioxidants help to protect the eggs from free radical damage. Free radicals are able to damage cellular health including the cell’s DNA, this could have an effect on the ability to get pregnant, sustain a healthy pregnancy and may increase the chances of possible birth defects. The ovum (egg) are one of the longest living cells in your body, as the years pass they become exposed and vulnerable to free radicals on a daily basis. This adds up. 

In addition to taking an antioxidant supplement blend, studies have shown that CoQ10 Ubiquinol supplementation improves egg health and fertilization rates, especially in women over 35. There are two forms of CoQ10, ubiquinone and Ubiquinol. CoQ10 starts off as ubiquinone and then is converted within the cell to the more powerful Ubiquinol. As a woman ages, her body’s ability to convert ubiquinone to Ubiquinol declines. Most all CoQ10 supplements available are in the form of ubiquinone. Ubiquinol is different in that it is the most biologically active form of coenzyme Q10 and does not need to be converted by the body. Ubiquinol is eight times more potent than ubiquinone. For women over the age of 35, CoQ10 Ubiquinol supplementation alongside an antioxidant blend may greatly help to improve egg health over a few months time.

L-arginine 
 L-arginine is an amino acid that has been shown in studies to increase ovarian response, endometrial receptivity, and pregnancy rates in IVF patients who supplemented in large doses of L-arginine. (Published in Human Reproduction 1999).

Fertility Superfoods 
Fertility superfoods are nutrient dense foods that help to nourish the body with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. One of my favorite ways to take fertility superfoods is to put them in fertility smoothies.

Maca
Maca is an incredible fertility super food. It helps to balance the hormones, but does not contain any hormones itself. It is able to do this by nourishing and balancing the endocrine system. This is essential in preparing for pregnancy and IVF because healthy hormonal balance greatly contributes to healthier eggs.

Royal Jelly 
Royal Jelly is a fertility superfood which may help to increase egg quality and quantities. Royal Jelly is the food that only the queen bee eats. What makes a queen bee the queen is eating royal jelly exclusively. She was an ordinary bee and then she was chosen and fed royal jelly and became the queen bee who lays up to 2000 eggs a day. It should be taken for at least three months before natural conception or IVF procedures begin. Royal jelly is the Queen bee’s equivalent of hormonal stimulation. Take daily for best results.Caution:: If you are allergic or think you are allergic to bees or bee products, do not take royal jelly.