We like herbal tea around here! I can guarantee you on any given day the majority of our staff has a mug of tea sitting within arm’s reach. Infusing water with herbs to obtain their nutrients, the “medicine” they have to offer, is one fairly easy, creative, and relaxing way to utilize herbs. So, why not create a cervical mucus-promoting herbal infusion/tea?
Cervical mucus (CM) is important for healthy fertility and conception. Observing CM changes is helpful for women in detecting ovulation, but what many may not realize is that fertile CM serves a number of roles by:
- providing a welcoming alkaline environment for sperm, as the vagina is slightly acidic
- nourishing and protecting sperm as they journey to fertilize an egg
- aiding in the transport of sperm to an awaiting egg
- may help with filtering out irregular, unhealthy sperm
One of the most important ways to support healthy cervical mucus production is to stay hydrated. Fertile CM is 90% water. If you are not staying hydrated each day, the body will draw water from body parts where it is not vital for healthy function – like CM and the skin (lips, hands, etc.). So, be sure to consume at least one quart of water each day plus several glasses in between. One way to increase water consumption is by drinking herbal tea.
I love calling this combination of herbs FertiliBeer; think of it like ginger beer/ale and not the beer/ale made from hops and grain. 😉 Though it contains no alcohol, it does contain herbs that are beneficial for promoting healthy fertile CM. The benefits of FertiliBeer:
- soothes the mucous membranes
- promotes mucus production
- hydrates to the body
- supports liver health and detoxification
- promotes hormone balance
- supports an acid/alkaline balance in the vagina and uterus
- supports the health of cervical cells
A little about each herb in FertiliBeer:
Dandelion leaf and root (Taraxacum officinale): Dandelion greens are bitter and stimulate mucous membrane secretion. Dandelion root supports liver detoxification and health in turn offering hormonal balance.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Licorice is demulcent, emollient (hydrating) and nourishing to mucous membranes; promoting healthy secretion of fluids. Licorice root supports hormone balance through its effects on the endocrine system and adrenal glands.
Red Clover aerial parts/blossom (Trifolium pratense): Red clover is nourishing and enhances circulation to the reproductive organs. It has been shown to relieve vaginal dryness, supports acid/alkaline balance in the vagina and uterus, and increases circulation to the reproductive organs.
Ginger root (Zingiber officinale): Ginger root is a warming, bitter stimulant for healthy circulation and digestion. This root promotes blood flow to the uterus, and as a demulcent, promotes healthy mucous membrane secretions. It is also an aphrodisiac.
Sarsaparilla root (Smilax medica): A bitter adaptogen that is supportive of hormone (testosterone and progesterone) production and is recommended for “female problems”, including an irregular menstrual cycle, and lack of libido. Sarsaparilla is also reported to be useful in cases of cervical erosion or “ectropion”.
Make Your Own FertiliBeer
2 parts Dandelion leaf and root
1 part Red Clover
1 part Licorice root
1 part Ginger root
1 part Sarsaparilla
½ part Sassafras root* – just a smidge for a slightly root beer flavor
Stevia for taste
The infusion is best consumed during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, in preparation for ovulation and stopped at ovulation. Choose organic or ethically wildcrafted (gathered) herbs whenever possible. If you are wondering how to measure “parts” of each herb, watch this video…
Combine each herb in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid. When ready to brew a cup, pour 8-12 ounces of freshly boiled water over 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) of loose herb mixture, cover and steep for 15 minutes. Strain and enjoy! My favorite way to drink this infusion is cold on ice. It’s quite refreshing with a splash of fresh lemon juice too.
We also have wonderful resources if lack of cervical mucus is a concern for you. The articles Increase Cervical Mucus to Get Pregnant and The Best Herbal Remedies to Increase Cervical Mucus Production.
Note:
*Sassafras root bark and pith (Sassafras officinale) – This plant is an aromatic, stimulant and liver/blood cleanser. It’s the sassafras root that once gave the popular soda, root beer, its flavor. You are very likely to read Sassafras is to be avoided in pregnancy which is true, and that it is carcinogenic. Renowned Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar shares that the constituent bringing in this concern is safrole “a very potent chemical that is largely insoluble in water (in other words you can’t extract it when making tea).” It is when safrole was concentrated from Sassafras and injected into lab animals at “extremely high levels” that it produced carcinogenic cells. Gladstar says, “It is even more interesting to note that there is not even one reported case of sassafras-poisoning or sassafras-related cancer.”
- Gladstar, R. (1993). Herbal healing for women: Simple home remedies for women of all ages. New York: Simon & Schuster.
- Alfs, M. (2003). Materia Medica. In 300 herbs: Their indications & contraindications, a materia medica & repertory, with insights from American Eclectic Medicine, Physio-medicalism, Thomsonianism, Appalachian Folk-Herbalism, Native-American plant medicine, Curanderismo, modern Western phyto (p. 95). New Brighton, MN: Old Theology Book House.
- Willett, Elizabeth, M.H., C.H. (n.d). The Best Herbal Remedies to Increase Cervical Mucous Production. Retrieved online from: http://natural-fertility-info.com/herbal-remedies-cervical-mucous.html
