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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 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, 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 to boost 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.
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 is the Senior Herbalist with the Natural Fertility Company and head educator at NaturalFertilityInfo.com. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Holistic Health Studies with a specialization is herbalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN.
I would love articles on all of this stuff!
Hello Melanie!
Feel free to browse Natural-Fertility-Info.com. We have a wealth of information there and may cover a topic you are interested in in-depth in another article.
Happy learning!
Hi Elizabeth,
What is the optimal time frame for enjoying the bath and the teas? For example, is it best to do so after ovulation or throughout your cycle?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.
Hello Denise!
The bath and teas can be consumed all cycle long. Enjoy!
Hello, we are struggling to conceive # 2 after having three early miscarriages. My last pregnancy (then sadly MC) was achieved after two months of TCM which sadly we can’t afford to resume just yet. Do you know whether I can use Vitex all cycle long (do you need to take a break before or after ovulation) as well as natural progesterone cream? I have a bottle of Vitex to hand but I have only used NPC for one cycle and don’t want to counteract it’s affects. Thank you
Dear MaybeBaby2,
I am so sorry for your losses!
Vitex can be taken while using natural progesterone cream. The both work to support healthy progesterone levels, Vitex on a systemic level and natural progesterone immediately on progesterone levels.
General suggested use of Vitex is 900-1000mg per day in the morning each day of the menstrual cycle without taking a break.
The article 5 Steps To Decreasing the Chance of Recurrent Miscarriages may offer additional helpful tips as well.
All my best!