I am sure you have heard about cleansing from one place or another, maybe it was about cleansing your colon or detoxifying your liver. While it may seem like a new fad, cleansing has been around for thousands of years, used by the Japanese, Egyptians and Native Americans. Cleansing has been used as a natural way to keep the body healthy and may be one of the most beneficial things to do before you get pregnant.

Fertility Cleansing

The time while you are preparing for conception, is one of the most important times to create a healthy body in preparation for pregnancy. It is also the best time to do a fertility cleanse. Fertility cleansing is a way to support the body in preparation for conception by cleansing the uterus and liver. A fertility cleanse encourages the liver to cleanse the body of toxins and excess hormones. It also supports the uterus to cleanse itself of old stagnant blood and increases circulation to the uterus while toning the uterine tissues.

Note: Do not cleanse during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You do not want to expose your baby to your body’s toxins as they circulate in your blood on the way out.

Why Fertility Cleanse?

Over the years the body can accumulate toxins from chemicals in the air, earth, water and from substances we consume daily or slather on our skin. Many of these toxins get stored in the fat tissues of the body and can be released quicker through cleansing. Some of these toxins may be left from:

• Hormonal birth control
• Cigarette smoke
• Pesticides
• Excess hormones
• Poor diet
• Alcohol

Ideally, we would like our bodies to be as healthy as possible during pregnancy, through cleansing we are able to support the body in its natural ability to rid itself of these substances.

While cleansing is beneficial, not just any cleanse is going to be beneficial for fertility. A fertility cleanse is specific to the reproductive system and assists the body in eliminating the additional burden of substances not good for fertility.

A fertility cleanse focuses on three major areas that can help the body to prepare for conception.

Liver Health
The liver helps to filter toxins from the body including excess hormones. If there is an over-abundance of estrogen it is the liver’s job to remove it from the system. Sometimes, due to poor diet, lifestyle or general health, the liver may need some stimulation and support to get rid of these substances. By using whole herbs to support the liver you are helping your body to better cope with our industrial world and the impact it could be having on your reproductive health. I will cover these herbs below.

Uterine Health
Uterine health is very important for reproductive health. Every cycle the uterus is supposed to release the lining that was built that month for the embryo to implant. In some cases, the uterus is not completely cleansed every cycle, so old stagnant blood remains. As you can imagine, this is not the best environment to house a new embryo.

What causes the uterus to not fully release its contents every month? Some factors may be…

• Low circulation
• Hormonal imbalance
• Unhealthy diet
• Misplaced uterus

Through the use of specific cleansing and uterine herbs you can help support your uterine health, increase circulation and help tonify the uterine muscles, all helping to promote a healthy uterine environment.

Increasing Circulation to the Uterus
In order for the uterus to function at its best, it requires proper circulation. With proper circulation, the communication loop between the uterus and ovaries, with the rest of the endocrine system, is able to function smoothly. This is necessary for proper hormonal balance and all of the functions dependent on it such as ovulation, menstruation, and hormone production. Herbs may be beneficial in helping to increase the circulation to the uterus, as well as exercise and massage.

Do You Need To Cleanse?

Do you experience PMS? Do you experience unexplained fatigue? Do you feel congested? Have you been on birth control? Do you have acne? Do you have less than 1 bowel movement a day? Do you have dark circles under your eyes? Do you have liver spots or itchy skin? Have you been on medication or antibiotics for longer than 1 week? During your menses do you have dark blood, cramps, or blood clots? Do you eat conventional meats and dairy? Are you experiencing hormonal imbalance? Do you experience frequent colds and flu?

Cleansing for Fertility VS. Other Types of Cleansing

Are you wondering what the difference is between a cleanse specifically for fertility and a normal cleanse? There are many differences between the two. General body cleansing is wonderful and a great way to help support the body, but if you are preparing for conception a fertility cleanse is more specific and focused on your needs. Below I have listed some of the differences between fertility cleansing and regular cleansing so you can see the benefits of cleansing specifically for fertility.

Works with the phases of the menstrual cycle
When doing a fertility cleanse we focus on cleansing certain parts of the body during specific phases of the menstrual cycle. For instance, the liver phase of the fertility cleanse is done from the first day after your period has ended up until ovulation. We do this because this is a stimulating time of your cycle, perfect for encouraging the liver to work a little harder. The uterine phase of the fertility cleanse should be done from ovulation until the first day of your period. This is more of a nourishing and building stage of the cycle, when uterine herbs can help to support hormonal balance, increase uterine muscle tone and increase circulation right before the period begins.

With general cleanses, they do not focus on the most supportive times of your cycle or your fertility at all.

Whole Herbs
Cleanses come in many different forms, some are capsules and teas, some are fiber powders and drinks, while others are dramatic diet shifts. When it comes to fertility cleansing we want to do what is most effective and specific. We have found that using whole herbs in the form of teas, capsules, and liquid extract to be most holistic, effective and gentle.

Gentle on the system yet effective
There is a wide spectrum of cleanses and they vary in length of time from one day to 90 days, sometimes entailing lots of trips to the bathroom and possibly time off from work. We have found that when preparing for conception you do not want to do anything really dramatic or potentially harmful, so we focus on cleansing in a gentle yet effective way that is supportive of reproductive health. While doing a fertility cleanse you are able to continue going to work and function in your everyday life. We don’t require any dramatic dietary changes but do suggest you begin to switch to a fertility diet.

There are no overly strong cleansing reactions while on the fertility cleanse except for some possible minor moodiness due to the liver cleansing itself. When toxins and hormones are being released this can sometimes make one cranky, similar to PMS. This is good and can be helped by drinking more water.

Supportive of Fertility and Reproduction
Cleansing for fertility is very supportive and encouraging for fertility and the reproductive system. While there are many great cleanses out there, focusing on doing a cleanse specific for fertility is going to be the safest, most gentle and most supportive while you are preparing for pregnancy.

Fertility Cleansing Herbs

Fertility cleansing is best done using whole herbs as they are the safest way to encourage cleansing in the body. Below are some of the herbs used in fertility cleansing.

Liver Cleansing Herbs

Burdock Root: Burdock root helps to stimulate digestion, as well as nourish and cleanse the liver, all of which aid hormonal balance.

Milk Thistle Seed: Milk Thistle Seed is one of the best plants for liver health. Liver health is vital for hormonal balance. The liver helps to filter toxins from the body, including excess hormones.

Dandelion Root: Dandelion leaves and roots are very nutritious and bitter, making this common weed a nourishing food and digestive aid. The root specifically supports liver health to help encourage hormonal balance.

Yellow Dock Root: This herb stimulates bile production for healthy removal of toxins, is supportive of liver health and aids in iron absorption.

Licorice Root: Licorice is an adaptogen herb, supporting the endocrine system for overall hormonal support.

Ginger Rt.: Ginger increases circulation in the body helping to support a healthy inflammation response and normal detoxification.

Uterine Cleansing & Tonic Herbs

Goldenseal Root: Goldenseal root supports a normal inflammation response which may help to prevent scar tissue and adhesion formation. It is also cleansing, antibiotic, and antimicrobial, helping the body to fight infection and occasional uterine discomfort.

Damiana Leaf: A female aphrodisiac, Damiana has been used for centuries to help increase circulation to the reproductive system as well as increase libido.

Dong Quai Root: Dong Quai increases circulation to the reproductive organs and is iron rich, two important aspects of building a healthy uterine lining. It is also relaxing to the uterine muscles, helping the uterus to function without tension.

Peony Root: Overall this herb has excellent hormone balancing support. It also aids in pain reduction and relaxation. Peony encourages proper circulation in the pelvic area, making it useful for uterine stagnation.

Raspberry Leaf: Raspberry leaf works to tone the uterine muscles and normalize blood flow during menses. This is one of the best normalizing herbs for the female reproductive organs.

Source: Fertility Cleanse | Prepare to Get Pregnant Fertility Cleansing