8 Traditional Chinese Herbs That Help With Fertility
- Christopher Johnson
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Traditional Chinese herbs have supported fertility for thousands of years. The right herbal formula can help regulate menstrual cycles, support healthy hormone levels, and create a more stable environment for conception in a gentle, natural way.
But which herbs are used in these formulas – and how do they actually work?
Below, we walk through eight of the most commonly used fertility-supportive herbs, why they show up in formulas, and why Chinese herbal medicine never relies on single herbs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbs are carefully combined and customized for your unique body, symptoms, and reproductive goals.
Understanding Chinese Medicine and Fertility
Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the whole body: hormone patterns, stress response, circulation, digestion, sleep, and overall vitality. When any of these systems are out of balance, it can affect cycle regularity, ovulation, sperm quality, and reproductive energy.
Unlike Western research that studies herbs one by one, TCM uses herbs within a diagnostic pattern framework. Every patient presents with a unique pattern based on physical signs, emotional tendencies, cycle characteristics, and constitutional traits. Herbs are selected based on this pattern, not simply a diagnosis like endometriosis, PCOS, or infertility.
This is why two people with the same diagnosis will always receive different formulas—and why formulas evolve as your body changes.
How TCM Herbs Help Boost Fertility
TCM herbs support what your body is already trying to do. Herbal medicine gently “trains” the body back into rhythm, restoring processes disrupted by stress, inflammation, hormonal shifts, or long-standing irregular cycles.
Herbal formulas may help:
Improve healthy blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
Support cervical mucus quality
Regulate the menstrual cycle
Encourage healthy ovulation
Strengthen the uterine lining
Support sperm motility, morphology, and count
Calm the nervous system so reproductive hormones regulate more easily
These effects only happen when the right formula is matched to the right pattern.
For example, endometriosis alone may present as multiple patterns, each requiring different herbs, temperatures, and actions. Using a mismatched herb (like a warming herb in someone who already runs hot) may not help and can even worsen symptoms.
8 TCM Fertility Herbs for Men and Women
Here are eight herbs commonly used in fertility formulas, along with their roles. Remember, these herbs are never taken alone. Their effects depend on how they’re combined within a formula that matches your pattern.
Dang Gui (Dong Quai)
Chinese name: 当归 Botanical name: Angelica sinensis
Dang Gui is one of the most studied herbs in East Asian medicine. Traditionally, it helps move and nourish the blood, supporting healthy uterine function, menstrual regularity, and a well-developed uterine lining. However, because Dang Gui is warming, it’s not appropriate for everyone, especially those who run hot or are sensitive to heat/spicy foods. Pattern matching matters.
Supports healthy blood flow and uterine function
May help maintain progesterone balance
Encourages more regular, comfortable menstrual cycles
Traditionally used for both female and male fertility
Learn more about TCM for male infertility.
Ren Shen (Ginseng)
Chinese name: 人参 Botanical name: Panax Ginseng
Ren Shen, or Ginseng, is frequently studied for its effects on energy, stress, and hormone regulation. Because stress impacts the nervous system (and the nervous system impacts reproductive hormones), ginseng is often used for both men and women. Research shows it may support testosterone levels, improve sperm parameters, and help stabilize hormones during the menstrual cycle.
Helps regulate the stress response
Supports healthy hormone levels
Shown to support male fertility parameters
May improve reproductive stamina and vitality
Huang Qi (Astragalus)
Chinese name: 黄芪 Botanical name: Astragalus Membranaceus
Huang Qi, commonly known as Astragalus, is valued for its antioxidant and immune-supportive properties. Research suggests it may help reduce inflammation and improve cervical mucus and uterine blood flow—key elements for fertility. It’s also helpful for people experiencing low immunity or fatigue, which can influence overall reproductive health.
Supports immune function and overall reproductive health
May improve cervical mucus and circulation
Helps maintain balanced hormone levels
Antioxidants support egg and sperm health
Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root)
Chinese name: 熟地黄 Botanical name: Rehmannia Glutinosa
Shu Di Huang is traditionally used when fertility concerns involve hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, or depleted energy. It’s often included in herbal formulas to support estrogen and progesterone balance, mood stability, and more consistent menstrual cycles.
Supports healthy estrogen and progesterone levels
Helps regulate menstrual cycles
May encourage long-term hormonal stability
Traditionally used when cycles feel depleted or inconsistent
Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry)
Chinese name: 枸杞子 Botanical name: Lycium Barbarum
Gou Qi Zi, or Goji berries, are rich in antioxidants and nutrients that support cellular health, which is important for both egg and sperm quality. Research suggests they may help support hormone balance, cervical mucus, and overall reproductive health. Goji berries can be used to support cycle regularity in women and sperm motility and count in men.
Antioxidants support egg and sperm health
Helps maintain healthy hormone levels
May improve cervical mucus quality
Supports overall reproductive vitality
Shan Yao (Chinese Yam)
Chinese name: 山药 Botanical name: Dioscorea Opposita
Shan Yao, or Chinese Yam, contains compounds that may support hormone regulation and metabolic balance. It’s commonly used in patterns connected to irregular cycles, PMS, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Because it helps support digestion and stable blood sugar, Shan Yao may indirectly improve overall hormone regulation and reproductive health.
Supports hormone regulation and cycle stability
May benefit patterns associated with PCOS
Helps maintain healthy energy and blood sugar levels
Traditionally used for both men and women
Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum)
Chinese name: 川芎 Botanical name: Ligusticum Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong is known for supporting healthy blood flow, which is essential for ovulation and menstrual health. Research suggests it may help reduce inflammation, improve circulation in the reproductive system, and support the development of a healthy uterine lining.
Supports reproductive system circulation
May promote regular ovulation
Helps reduce menstrual discomfort
Useful when cycles feel irregular or stagnant
Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark)
Chinese name: 杜仲 Botanical name: Eucommia Ulmoides
Du Zhong, or Eucommia, supports the foundational systems connected to fertility—including the lower back, nervous system, and hormone pathways. Some studies suggest it may help improve sperm quality, stabilize menstrual function, and support long-term reproductive vitality.
Supports hormone regulation and reproductive vitality
May improve male fertility parameters
Helps strengthen the nervous system and lower back
Supports long-term reproductive health
If you’d like to learn more, we would be happy to talk with you.
Call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chris at Everybody Healing Center in Golden Valley.
What Most People Don’t Realize About Chinese Herbs
Before trying any of the herbs above, it’s important to understand how Chinese herbal medicine actually works in practice. Chinese herbs are not supplements, and there is no such thing as “an herb for fertility.”
Formulas work only when they match the individual’s pattern. Using herbs outside this framework (taking single herbs from a store shelf) usually doesn’t help, and in some cases, can be harmful.
A classic example is Ma Huang (Ephedra). Traditionally, it is a safe, effective herb when combined properly in formulas for specific patterns. But in the 1990s, it was misused as a stand-alone weight-loss supplement in massive, inappropriate doses, which led to severe adverse reactions and FDA restrictions. This wasn’t a failure of the herb. It was a failure due to its use outside TCM principles.
Some herbs you find online (rhino horn, pangolin shell, tortoise shell) are not used in modern ethical practice.
Some herbs may not fit your constitution (e.g., warming herbs for someone already heat-sensitive).
Formulas should be adjusted regularly because your body changes.
When an herb doesn’t match your pattern, it can create what people often describe as “side effects”—not because the herb is harmful, but because it’s being used in the wrong context. This is why it’s essential to work with someone trained to match your pattern, monitor your progress, and update your formula as needed.
Why Guidance Matters With Fertility Herbs
Herbs work best when they’re used with intention and with a clear understanding of what your body needs. It’s not that herbs are inherently dangerous. It’s that they must be combined correctly, dosed correctly, and matched correctly.
Choosing herbs on your own (especially individual herbs) creates a risk of:
Using an herb that doesn’t match your pattern
Overusing herbs that “feel good” in the moment but worsen the root issue
Taking herbs that interact with medications through absorption pathways
Using herbs that aren’t ethically sourced or properly vetted
A qualified practitioner will take time to understand your patterns, health history, lifestyle, and fertility goals. This allows us to choose formulas that are safe, effective for your pattern, and appropriate to use alongside medications or assisted reproductive treatments like IUI or IVF.
Timing Matters
Most interactions aren’t about herbs being unsafe. They’re about timing. Herbs should generally be taken at least 2 hours apart from medications to avoid competing for absorption pathways, similar to how certain teas or foods can affect medication uptake.
A qualified practitioner ensures:
Your herbs complement, rather than interfere with, your medical treatments
Your OB/GYN or fertility specialist is informed and aligned with your care plan
Your formula is safe, appropriate, and adapted as your cycles change
Acupuncture & Herbal Fertility Treatment in Golden Valley, MN
At Everybody Healing Center in Golden Valley, MN, we specialize in natural fertility support through acupuncture and herbal medicine. Every treatment plan is tailored to your cycle patterns, symptoms, health history, and goals, whether you’re preparing for pregnancy, regulating your menstrual cycle, or seeking support alongside IVF or IUI.
Many Western fertility specialists are cautious about herbal medicine simply because they’re unfamiliar with it, or because they’ve seen patients taking herbs unsupervised.
At Everybody Healing Center, we prioritize collaboration, not separation.
Dr. Christopher Johnson regularly:
Communicates with your OB/GYN or reproductive endocrinologist
Shares progress updates
Coordinates timing around IVF or IUI cycles
Ensures all treatments support your shared goals
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of your next steps, you’re not alone. We’ve been honored to support many individuals and couples on their fertility journeys, and we would be glad to support you, too.
When you’re ready to begin your plan, we’re here to help.