Cardamom pods
(Elettaria cardamomum)

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that in warming the uterus, healthy progesterone levels (progesterone is a warming hormone) can be maintained to promote a healthy endometrial lining.

“This (a warm uterus) not only helps metabolic activity, but also allows the uterus to secrete sufficient nutrients, and thereby creates a highly nurturing environment…” according to Dr. Lin Zhou, O.M.D., L.AC. FABORM

How to Warm the Uterus

There are a variety of warming herbs; many are common kitchen spices, to consider adding to your daily routine. The herbs can be added to beverages and foods or made into a medicinal bath. These herbs increase circulation for healthier blood flow, rev up the metabolism and create heat within the body.

Warming Herbs

Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum spp.) – a heating stimulant commonly used for absent or painful, even heavy menstruation due to cold (TCM), or abnormal menstrual clotting, swelling, and if you have cold hands and feet.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – is a warming circulatory stimulant for chronic pelvic pain and painful ovulation, indigestion, nausea and morning sickness.

Try a Warm-the-Womb Bath
What you need:

Equal parts – true Cinnamon bark and Ginger root

Exact measurements aren’t necessary because this isn’t being ingested, but start with 1-2 tablespoons true Cinnamon bark or 1-2 Cinnamon sticks and about a three-inch chunk of Ginger root cubed. Make a strong herbal tea prior to running a bath. Once the bath is ready, strain off the tea and then pour into the bath. Be sure to adjust the temperature prior to getting in. Or you can soak the herbs in your hot bath by adding them to a muslin cloth, washcloth (make sure these are tied off so the herbs don’t escape into the bath), or large stainless-steel tea ball.

Let the bath cool while you do Self Fertility Massage and Castor Oil Therapy, then get in when the bath has cooled to a comfortable temperature.

-or-

Blend Your Own Uterus Strengthening Tea and add cinnamon bark

Additional herbs to consider…

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) – a warming spasmolytic for flatulence, colic, indigestion, and diarrhea, which can accompany PMS.

Cardamom seed (Elettaria cardamomum) – a stimulating, warming seed traditionally used for low libido and threatened miscarriage.

Garlic (Allium sativum) – a circulatory stimulant and anti-microbial often used for infections without marked inflammation, indigestion, for viral infections, and for boosting the immune system.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – this warming alternative protects the liver and is anti-inflammatory. Turmeric is also used for painful menstruation or lack of menstruation due to blood stagnation, as well as swelling.

Learn how to blend your own Turmeric tea, Chai, Fertility Smoothie or Turmeric Milk here…

The above herbs and spices can be added to curries, baked goods, sprinkled on a mixture of nuts and seeds, or garbanzo beans, and roasted for a protein-packed snack, added to steel-cut oatmeal with walnuts and a drizzle of coconut milk… the options are endless. Adding a bit of cardamom and cinnamon to your daily smoothie is a good idea as well.

Vitex Too!
There is one more herb I want to include, one of our beloved female fertility-health herbs, Chaste-tree berry (Vitex agnus castus). Yes, Vitex is a warming herb used to promote hormone balance and healthy progesterone and prolactin levels. Some herbalists like to mix some Chaste tree berries with their peppercorns in their pepper grinder for daily uterine health and hormone balance support.

Learn more about Vitex here…

A Warm Uterus is a Happy Uterus!

A uterus receiving adequate circulation is more likely to be healthier overall. I hope you enjoy creating recipes with the above herbs, always keeping your uterine health in mind.

May your womb be warm!

• Zhou, L. (n.d.). Unexplained Infertility. Retrieved May 15, 2015, from http://www.acupuncture-dfw.com/unexplainedinfer.html
• Alfs, M. (2003). 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. New Brighton, Minnesota: Old Theology Book House.

Elizabeth Willett - M.A., Certified Herbalist

Elizabeth Willett is the Senior Herbalist and Lead Educator at NaturalFertilityInfo.com. She holds a BS in Mass Communications (2000) from Minnesota State University, and a Master of Arts degree (MA, 2010) in Holistic Health Studies with a specialization is herbalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. Liz has written over 200 articles on women’s fertility and brings a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise in holistic health and healing to Natural Fertility Info.com

Dr. Christine Traxler M.D., OB/GYN

Dr. Traxler is a University-trained obstetrician/gynecologist, working with patients in Minnesota for over 20 years. She is a professional medical writer; having authored multiple books on pregnancy and childbirth; textbooks and coursework for medical students and other healthcare providers; and has written over 1000 articles on medical, health, and wellness topics.  Dr. Traxler attended the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences and University of Minnesota Medical School,  earning a degree in biochemistry with summa cum laude honors in 1981,  and receiving her Medical Doctorate degree (MD) in 1986.

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