Tips for Trying to Conceive

I once made an altar to Mother Mary, and was pregnant a month later.

Back in 2016, I was about to finish the advanced year of my herbalism apprenticeship. In the month of April, we were each asked to choose a goddess to work with and embody for the month. I chose Mother Mary. I was not raised religious, had no children at the time, nor was I in any way thinking about having kids, but of all the goddesses, Mother Mary called to me.

I made an altar to her in my bedroom and meditated and prayed to her every day for a month. I made a flower and crystal essence in her honor and felt her presence stronger and more clearly as the month went on. 

A month later I was unexpectedly pregnant. It completely us by surprise and at the time we didn’t even live together. I ended up miscarrying the next month, but this experience brought us to a place where we knew we wanted to have a baby. Three months later, on a full moon, I got pregnant again, and this time a baby girl was born to us.

There was something in Mother Mary that resonated with me, some kind of pull towards motherhood I wasn’t even aware of at the least at the time with that 1st pregnancy. Maybe you feel this pull, too, and perhaps that’s why you’re here. 

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Below, I’ll detail some herbs for supporting fertility, along with some other holistic-based tips. 

 

1. Herbal Tip: Red Clover

Susun Weed, renowned herbalist, once wrote that red clover is “the single most useful herb for establishing fertility.” I can’t argue with that! You’ve probably seen these nourishing red and pink flowers growing in many fields of grass. Red Clover is a wonderful ally in your fertility journey. It:

• Relaxes the nervous system
• Promotes fertility with profuse, absorbable calcium and magnesium
• Restores and balances hormonal functions and contains virtually every trace mineral needed by the glands
• Regulates the menstrual cycle

This nutritive/nourishing herb is high in calcium, iron, protein, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and others, it also supports the clearing of uterine cysts and fibroids. Lastly, it’s an alterative, which means it cleanses the blood and the whole body. What’s not to love, right?

How to Use It:

Make a hot infusion. Put one large handful of the flower tops (make sure they are pink, not brown) in a half gallon jar with almost boiling water. Steep for a minimum of 4 hours, up to overnight on the counter. You can add a bit of peppermint to the infusion for flavor and energy activation, too. Recommended to drink 16oz or more daily for several months. See my highlights and reels on Instagram for preparation directions. It’s easy! 

Important Note: Red clover is a blood thinner, so do not take while on blood thinning medication.

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2. Herbal Tip: Nettles

If you follow me, you’ll know I am a HUGE nettles fan. It is my favorite nourishing and adaptogenic plant. I have been drinking it daily for years. Nettles does it all!

Nettles is a nourishing herb as well as an adaptogen, meaning it provides ample bioavailable vitamins and minerals, plus it restores balance to all systems of the body, counteracts stress and adrenal fatigue, increases immune function, and helps the body cope with everyday physical and emotional stress. Nourishing herbs and adaptogens are my two favorite classes of herbs and are both incredible! 

In addition, Nettles: 

• Boasts high bioavailability of essential vitamins and minerals, including chlorophyll, which is especially supportive in balancing the endocrine (hormonal) system which aids in fertility 
• Features high amounts of calcium and magnesium, which are thought to be important to fertility
• Nourishes the intestinal tract and increases absorption of nutrients from the food you eat. The more nourishment you have, the easier it is for your body to function optimally
• Strengthens the kidneys to support blood building and cleansing, helps stimulate formation of red blood cells

How to Use It:

Make a cold infusion (then later, a hot infusion). Place 2 handfuls of dried Nettles in a half gallon mason jar and fill with fresh, cool water. Steep in the fridge overnight, or for at least 4 hours. Strain to drink. Recommended to drink 16oz or more daily for several months. See our highlights and reels on Instagram for preparation directions. It’s easy! 

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3. Herbal Tip: Oatstraw

Oatstraw is a nourishing herb and supreme nervous system support. Clinical research has shown us time and again that stress throws our body off balance and negatively affects our nervous system, digestion, immunity, hormones, blood pressure and respiration. A balanced nervous system aids us in dealing with stress, which is a huge factor in our fertility. 

Oatstraw:

• Calms the nervous system, especially easing anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, depression, mental fatigue, and inability to focus
• Is high in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins A, B, C, and E, and protein
• Aids PMS, irritability, and mood swings
• Lowers cholesterol
• Helps balance thyroid
• Tones the heart and circulatory system

How to Use It: 

Make a hot infusion by placing 1 handful of Oatstraw in a half gallon mason jar. Fill with boiling water, cover and let steep on the counter overnight. Strain and store in the fridge. Drink 16oz or more daily. Alternate weekly with Nettles and Red Clover for full fertility benefits.

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4. Acupuncture

I can’t recommend acupuncture enough. Energy needs to move through the body. When it doesn’t, it gets stuck. Acupuncture gets energy moving and aligns the body’s meridians so that it can function optimally. So many women I know credit acupuncture with getting pregnant. 10/10.

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5. Kundalini Yoga

Helps activate, amplify and clear out your physical and energetic bodies so that you have more energy and are more deeply connected to Source and yourself. Harmanjot is a longtime favorite instructor of mine and has focused courses on all things motherhood and fertility.

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6. Yoni/Vaginal Steaming

This ancient practice is akin to a facial steam, but for your netherregions. I find it soothing, healing, meditative, and it gives me a good reason to sit still for 15-20 minutes. I love to read a book while steaming. Yoni steaming has been shown to support healing from miscarriages, endometriosis, PCOS, heavy, painful periods, scanty flow in your cycle, spotting at the beginning and/or end of your cycle and is an all around wonderful practice for connecting with your womb. Check out Keli from Steamy Chick who I met years ago and am so grateful our paths crossed. 

Important Note: Yoni steaming is recommended during the preparation phase of TTC, but never when you think you might be pregnant and want to keep it that way.

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7. Other Suggestions

If I could offer you one other suggestion, it would be to read Spirit Babies by Walter Makichen. I read this short book while pregnant with both my kiddos. It has easy and accessible meditations that helped me connect to our spirit babies and bring them into the world. This is also a wonderful book to gift to someone TTC or when pregnant.

Here’s a quick excerpt from the back cover:

“In this reassuring, supportive, and accessible book, leading clairvoyant Walter Makichen offers guidance to prospective parents eager to create a warm, nurturing environment for their soon-to-be-conceived-or-born children. Applying the wisdom and insights he has gained through twenty years of communicating with these spirit babies, Makichen helps you resolve issues about starting a family...actively participate in the psychic process of creating a child...and move past your worries and fears about becoming parents.” 

If you’re trying to conceive, I wish you every good thing on your journey!