An Ayurvedic Approach to Male Fertility

When it comes to fertility, Ayurveda does not focus solely on reproductive organs or hormones. Instead, it is a blend of considering both a person's inner being (mind, body, and spirit) and their surroundings (the environment, the seasons, world events). For conception to occur, there must be harmony between these things. 

A healthy body, a calm mind, and favorable timing are all necessary considerations in Ayurvedic fertility. In our previous article, we looked at the four Ayurvedic essential elements associated with fertility: 

• Timing 
• The Field 
• Healthy and Nutritious Fluids 
• The Seed

A Lifestyle Approach to Male Fertility

Ayurvedic remedies to male infertility apply a lifestyle approach. They take into consideration the entire person and work to bring everything into balance.

1. Physical Health

The health of the male partner is a big part of fertility. Specifically, the state of their Shukra tissue, or reproductive tissue. 

Ayurveda believes the health of these tissues begins with food. What you eat is broken down into various products for your body, such as nutritious fluid, bone, muscle. The final tissue to receive it is reproductive tissue. That is why Ayurveda considers reproductive tissue to be the most refined and complete.  

This chain of metabolic transformations begins with food and ends with reproductive tissues. A man should pay attention to both their diet as well as the health of his other tissues (muscle, bone, fluids).

2. Eat a Well Rounded Diet

Eating a balanced diet is usually best. The ayurvedic practice also recommends rotating your menus frequently, so you are consuming a variety of foods. This can ensure that you are receiving adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.  

A diet based on fruits, vegetables, lentils, pulses, and nuts is recommended. These nutritious foods are packed with essentials like zinc, protein, fiber, and vitamins.  

Spices that maintain and feed your digestive fire are also important. Maca is one such herb. Its abundance of potassium is excellent for digestion. Shilajit is praised for assisting your body with the digestion of food. When consumed as a supplement or tonic it may lead to improved absorption of nutrients, which will ultimately nourish your reproductive system. 

*Stimulants, like coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and sugar are not advised.

3. Physical Strength and Virility

In addition to a nourishing diet, there are other things a man can do to promote physical health and strength. Regular exercise and yoga practice are beneficial for not only the body but also the mind and spirit.

Yoga especially can help balance the doshas and put your mind at ease. Yoga is a wonderful way to alleviate stress.

4. Manage Your Stress

It isn’t known whether stress can decrease infertility, but infertility does frequently lead to stress. Stress can cause an imbalance of hormones, throw off your doshas, and generally disrupt your body’s harmony. 

It is important to try and minimize stress everywhere you can. Yoga, as mentioned, is a great stress reliever. Ayurveda also recommends incorporating body massages and meditation into your routine as well as using Ayurvedic medicine. 

5. Add Adaptogens

Ayurvedic medicine has many plant-based remedies, some of which are rockstars at reducing anxiety. Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha and Shatavari are two such stress-busting powerhouses.

As an adaptogenic, Ashwagandha works to reduce the effects of stress on the body. It helps return your body to a state of balance, promoting homeostasis. 

Ashwagandha has also been used to boost the health of male reproductive tissues. It is thought to increase sperm count, improve motility, and decrease premature ejaculation.

Its anti-stress characteristics as well as its positive influence on reproductive tissues are wonderful reasons to incorporate it into your diet.

Ashwagandha is considered a warming herb. Cooling herbs can be used to balance warming herbs' effects on the doshas. One such herb is Shatavari. It is both cooling and purifying and can prevent sperm loss due to excess pitta from the ingestion of warming supplements.

Shatavari has long been used as a male reproductive tonic. It is also adaptogenic, helping to reduce the negative effects of stress. But it is thought to have a profound effect on the male reproductive system, increasing reproductive fluids and sperm count, reducing inflammation of reproductive organs, and helping to correct impotence.  

Because it helps to detoxify your body, boost your immune system, and fight stress, it is an overall effective infertility aid. Working to return your entire system to good health, not just your reproductive organs. 

6. Balance Your Hormones

Hormones in men are linked to fertility, especially in terms of the seed. An imbalance of hormones may cause lower sperm count or lower libido.  

Ayurvedic remedies to return balance to male hormones include the use of herbs and supplements like Fenugreek and Shilajit.  

Some studies have shown that both these ingredients can increase sperm count, increase testosterone, and result in improved libido. A boost to sperm motility was also a noted side effect. As a result, both are considered excellent aids to male fertility.  

They also have other beneficial properties like aiding digestion, anti-inflammatory, and even increasing iron levels. These supplements can be taken in liquid form or powdered form and are commonly added to tonics. 

A well-balanced supplement will contain a variety of these fertility boosting ingredients and is a simple way to work towards remedying multiple deficiencies. 

A Holistic, Partner Focused Approach

Ayurveda takes into consideration a person's entire being. Lifestyle changes and supplements are beneficial for both male and female fertility. Together, they can lead not only to successful conception but also to a healthy child.

Posted by Shruti Mishra

Shruti is the founder of Freshly Moms. She is a professional plant based chef from Natural Gourmet Institute, NY and a certified IIN health coach. She has been working with Ayurveda, food & nutrition since over 10 years and is also a fresh mom herself.