Ayurveda has a brilliant view of male and female productiveness. Reproduction is seen as the ultimate creative act and the most potent dynamic force in our human destiny.

Fertility is seen as the sum total of all optimally digested foods and experiences. The logic is based on the principles of Ayurvedic anatomy and physiology. It involves the quality of the digestive fire, the quality of the tissues and the free-flowing nature of the channels. When these are all functioning properly then the reproductive tissues can be nourished and fertility can take its course.

Food enters our stomach where the digestive fire turns it into the essence of food. From here it flows through the different tissues where they take up what nutrients are necessary for them to function efficiently.

Below is a list of the tissues and their functions:

1. Plasma tissue: Rasa dhatu
   Function: Giving pleasure (prinana), nourishing the blood, moistening the skin and mucous membranes protecting and preserving.
2. Blood tissue: Rakta dhatu
   Function: Giving vitality (jivana), giving colour, nourishing the muscle tissue.
3. Muscle tissue: Mamsa dhatu
   Function: Binding the body together (lepen), strengthening, and nourishing fat tissue and waste products.
4. Fat tissue: Meda dhatu
   Function: Oileating the joints, producing sweat, nourishing the bone tissue.
5. Bone tissue: Asthi dhatu
   Function: Giving support and nourishing the nervous tissue.
6. Nerve tissue: Majja dhatu
   Function: Giving oileation, filling the bones and nourishing the reproductive tissue.
7. Reproductive tissue: Shukra dhatu
   Function: Generating reproductive fluids, producing an orgasm, achieving conception, strengthening the body and creating fondness.

Maintaining fertility

Optimizing fertility is one of the delicious arts of Ayurveda. There are certain foods and herbs that have an affinity for the reproductive system that anyone wanting to enhance their fertility should include in their diet. These are usually foods that have qualities of sweetness, nourishing and building. Examples include

•  Nuts:
  • Almonds
  • Walnuts
  • Pumpkin seeds
•  Dairy:
  • Milk
  • Cream
  • Ghee
•  Seafood:
  • Seaweeds
•  Flowers:
  • Roses
  • Saffron
  • Jasmine
  • Flower pollen
•  Fruits:
  • Dates
  • Pomegranates
  • Grapes
•  Herbs:
  • Organic Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
  • Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa)
  • Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens)
  • Gokshura (Tribulis terrestris)
  • Bala (Sida cordifolia)

Treating infertility

Problems with infertility can arise when nutrition does not reach the reproductive tissue; this can happen due to undernutrition, poor digestion or obstruction due to toxins. Infertility can also arise when the reproductive tissue is overtaxed or damaged by infection or trauma.

General considerations

• Understand both partners’ Ayurvedic constitution (vata, pitta, kapha)
• Clear any obstructions or blockages
• Tonify any weaknesses
• Ensure that the digestive fire is strong
• Ensure that the nervous system is relaxed
• Being loving and loved is the best tonic for fertility

Male Fertility

Male subfertility (reduced fertility) can be caused by all sorts of sperm defects (low volume, low motility and irregular shape), erectile dysfunction and obstructions (varicocele and prostatitis).

Tips to boost male fertility

There are two basic strategies to optimize male fertility. First, clear any obstructions and then tonify the reproductive tissue.

1. If you think there is an obstruction (constipation, dribbling urine, poor erectile function), use herbs such as
   1. Gokshura (Tribulis Terrestris),
   2. Guduchi (Tinosporia cordifolia)
   3. Triphala to clear the blockage.
   4. When the path is clear use tonics.
2. Ayurveda has a fantastic repertoire of tonic herbs for improving erectile function, boosting sperm count, strengthening motility, and enhancing form. Use Organic Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) to treat any weakness in sperm count, form or function. Or try Pukka Herbs Ashwagandha Plus, which combines a range of herbs to boost male sexual energy and fertility.

Other things men can do to enhance their fertility is to avoid alcohol and smoking, reduce poor quality fats in the diet, and increase exercise. A very useful yogic exercise for both partners is to practice pelvic floor exercises. Just contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor greatly enhances the circulation to the reproductive system. Such practices as moola bandha, Ashwini mudra and vajroli mudra are famed for enhancing sexual prowess and potency.