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The top three herbs (for her AND for him) that promote healthy conception by safely and naturally stimulating hormones for optimal fertility.

It’s no secret that couples these days are having an increasingly difficult time conceiving.
Even young women in their twenties who should have no trouble in this area are sometimes finding it a challenge to let nature take its course.
In a concerning turn of events, the White House issued a warning in October 2025 about declining US fertility, labeling the situation a “national security threat”. (1)
When considering how to address the problem, a healthy pre-pregnancy and pregnancy diet is clearly a critical part of unassisted, natural reproduction with eating traditional foods known for millennia to promote fertility, Job #1.
It is a lesser-known fact that fertility herbs can play a huge role in this area. Ancestral societies knew this and employed herbal assistance as needed.
It is often a simple and very straightforward process to facilitate pregnancy using these safe and time tested plants to balance female and male hormones and libido.
Fertility herbs are also helpful in nourishing the body and female reproductive system, which in turn helps to relax the entire nervous system to facilitate conception.
Do you know how doctors are often prone to say to couples having trouble conceiving that the woman just “needs to relax”?
While this is an irritating comment for any woman to hear, using fertility herbs in a smart and strategic way might help this happen by doing exactly that!
Best Fertility Herbs
Note that these powerful fertility herbs work most effectively in the absence of any structural problems within the reproductive system.
Hence, it is best to discuss the resolution of issues such as endometriosis, fibroids or blocked fallopian tubes with your practitioner first if you suspect an issue in this area.
Stinging Nettle
Nettle is my most favorite all around fertility herb.
Not only does it tone and nourish the uterus, but it also promotes the strengthening of the kidneys and adrenal glands. If you are or have ever been a coffee drinker, this herb is for you!
One, two, or even more cups per day of this high mineral tea (suggested brand I’ve used for decades) which is also loaded with chlorophyll (a safe, gentle detoxifier) for several months goes a long way toward preparing a woman’s body for pregnancy and sustaining the embryo once conception occurs.
Nettle tea is also fantastic for preparing for the baby’s birth as it is extremely high in Vitamin K1, which allows Mom peace of mind knowing that her newborn baby’s blood will already contain an ample amount as small amounts DO pass the placenta (no need for the toxic Vitamin K shot at birth).
Continuing to drink nettle tea while breastfeeding promotes successful lactation and a copious milk supply as well!
Hint: Nettle facilitates a smooth, symptom-free menopause too! It is helpful for all stages of life, as it turns out!
A nettle infusion also helps with allergy relief from seasonal pollen issues as a bonus because it is a natural anti-histamine.
Red Clover
Red clover is an excellent fertility herb primarily due to the high amounts of calcium and magnesium. These two minerals are believed to be of high importance in affecting a woman’s ability to conceive.
Red clover (suggested brand) contains every single trace element needed by the glandular system.
As such, this alkalizing herb is probably the single most effective plant used for balancing of the conception hormones.
Balancing the body acid/alkaline pH and thereby the uterus pH goes a long way toward favoring conception.
Brew your red clover tea along with peppermint or another type of mint if you prefer. This acts as a sexual stimulant.
To make a powerful infusion of these herbs in combination, follow the following steps:
- Measure one ounce of red clover and a teaspoon of peppermint. Organic, loose tea brands are recommended.
- Steep in one quart of hot filtered water for 4 hours.
- Ensure the lid is tightly fastened to contain the steam.
- Drink this mixture as desired once it has cooled down.
- Refrigerate in a glass jar with a secure lid for up to 4 days.
Red Raspberry
Red Raspberry leaves, particularly the wild kind, are very high in calcium. Like Nettle and Red Clover, Red Raspberry leaves serve as a soothing uterine tonic and a very effective fertility herb.
The fertility promoting effects of red raspberry (suggested brand) are enhanced in combination with other herbs, particularly Red Clover.
To make a powerful infusion of this herb, steep 1/2 ounce red raspberry and 1/2 ounce red clover in one quart of hot water for 4 hours. Refrigerate the unused portion after cooling.
With each cup of this herbal infusion, add 5-15 drops of either dong quai root tincture (suggested brand) or false unicorn root tincture (suggested brand).
Either of these tinctures (choose one or alternate) will further enhance the fertility effects of the red raspberry.
Conception Herbs for Him
Note that the fertility issues could be on his side. In that situation, consider using the benefits of maca to assist with improving sperm count and motility.
Scientific research has shown that maca achieves this without increasing testosterone levels, unlike some other male supplements.
*Note that eating a dozen oysters once or even twice a week can do wonders for improving testosterone, promoting optimal male fertility and sperm quality as well.
Lunaception
The process of encouraging ovulation using the power of light is called lunaception. This technique works very well when combined with fertility promoting herbs.
To establish the proper timing for ovulation, follow this routine.
- Leave a light on in your bedroom for 3 consecutive nights about midway through your cycle.
- All other nights should be total darkness. Get bedroom blackout curtains if necessary.
- Your cycle will naturally regulate itself for ovulation on the nights when the light is on.
You and your Sweetie can take it from here!
(1) White House Issues Warning Over US Fertility Rate
(2) Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, by Susun S. Weed
(3) The Garden of Fertility, by Katie Singer








What about male infertility?
Does anyone know of anything that can help?
Thanks in advance.
Love this – thank you Sarah – will pass it on to my son and his wife, who had a failed IVF pregnancy. I assume that these herbs are not just recommended for people who intend to have a baby, but for everyone’s general and particularly sexual health.
I also highly recommend James Wong’s book ‘Grow your own drugs’. There are also a number of YouTube videos featuring James:
James Wong ‘Grow Your Own Drugs’ Talks to Friends of Eden (part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5lGrOm7pvQ
Grow Your Own Drugs/ A Year With James Wong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S-nhkCIBH4
@Melissa – Thanks so much for passing that site along! It's a really great find!
Hi Sarah, I'm not personally a big fan of prenatal vitamins. I never did take one with any of my 3 pregnancies. They contain synthetic vitamins generally speaking even the so called "whole foods" ones. Great breastmilk is based on diet, not on man made supplements. Check out the westonaprice.org diet for pregnant and nursing mothers for what to eat to produce the best breastmilk for your baby.
Along with eating the correct foods would you recommend a prenatal vitamin or if you are eating the correct foods would you not need the prenatal vitamin? I am actually nursing a newborn and so getting pregnant isn't an issue for me, but I want to make sure I am producing great breastmilk. I am new to the WAPF and trying to figure it all out. Thank you for the great blog.
My wife and I have been using herbs for years and these 3 in particular for her fertility. I have to comment about the last part about the lunaception. My wife and I are NFP (Natural Family Planning) instructors and have been using that method for years (www.ccli.org). What this lunaception sounds like is a rather unscientific, hit or miss method for attempted conception (think- the rhythm method). Every woman has a different cycle and different lutial phases and even the length of a cycle can vary depending upon an assortment of factors from month to month. If your attempting to achieve pregnancy (or even postphoning), the NFP method is scientifically proven to be 99.9% effective when used properly. It doesn't involve guessing, or buying anything other than a thermometer and some graph paper. If you have had difficulty in the past achieving pregnancy, please look into this method for a much more reliable way. We have helped many couples over the years (and for women in particular)learn how a woman's cycle actually works and for her to use the natural signs her body gives every cycle to know when ovulation is close to and eventually does occur. We can tell you the day of conception for all of our kids!!
Ah… so my 2nd shift life really might be affecting my fertility (or lack thereof)? I was afraid of that. I often don't get to sleep until just before the sun comes up. My normal sleep hours are between 4am and noon, but over the weekend is more like 5:30am (I can see the sun coming up) and 2pm.
I also have a severe hormonal imbalance, which I'm hoping the real food lifestyle will help- but I've only been doing it for a few weeks. :-/
http://www.bulkherbstore.com has wonderful information on all kinds of herbs. I have been buying herbs for teas from them for years, and they are always nice and fresh! Also, they have info on preparation of teas, tinctures and glycerites. Love their store!
Frontier is a great source of high quality, organic herbs. A Chinese doctor/acupuncturist can frequently put a bag of the proper mix of fertility herbs together for you too if you know one that you trust.
Interesting post! Do you gave a good source to buy these herbs? Thank you!
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