As we mentioned in previous articles, infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. It affects more than 5 million couples in the US alone and many times more worldwide. Due to lack of awareness of treatments, only 10% seek help from a professional specialist. We have spent most of the time in this series discussing conventional and Chinese medicine in fertility treatment. I think now is the best time to change the subject and discuss how to treat infertility with the herb – sarsaparilla (smilax officinalis).
I. Definition
Sarsaparilla is also known as smilax officinalis in herbal medicine, it is a perennial vine, native to Central America and has been used in traditional herbal medicine as a tonic medicine for the reproductive organs and glands.
II. How Sarsaparilla Affects Fertility
1. Liver detox
herbalist believes that the plant contains a substance that helps remove toxins from the liver, thereby increasing liver function in regulating hormone production (estrogen and prostaglandin family) and insulin levels in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of irregular menstrual cycle and increases the chance of fertility.
2. Blood purify
It is also a blood tonic herb. In addition to helping to increase the transport of nutrients to the body’s cells as needed, it also increases blood flow to the reproductive organs, reducing the risk of blood stagnation in the reproductive organs.
3. Immune system
It also boosts immune function in fighting infection and inflammation caused by foreign invasion, thus increasing the chances of fertility.
4.DNA regulation
Sarsaparilla also helps regulate DNA duplication in normal cell growth, which decreases the risk of endometrial adhesion and implants and other tumors growing elsewhere in the reproductive region.
5. antibody antigen
Since it helps boost immune function as a result of the expulsion of toxins through urinary output and feces, it reduces the risk of abnormal immune system function by attacking its own tissue and seeing sperm as a foreign invasion.
third risks
An excessive dose of sarsaparilla can cause digestive disorders and kidney failure.