Dong quai, also called Chinese Angelica, is a common remedy in both China and the United States. Chinese herbalists often call Dong quai women’s ginseng. It has been used for thousands of years for many medicinal purposes, especially as a tonic for a variety of female problems, and is second only to ginseng in popularity.

The nutritional and healing constituents of Dong quai include; Vitamins A, B3, B12, B-complex, C, E, calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, tannins, resin, and volatile oil and the phytoestrogens of Dong quai can help to supply the needed balance to minimise the oestrogen loss in women that occurs around menopause.

 

Dong quai is also a traditional remedy for disorders of the menstrual cycle, like cessation of menstruation, pain that accompanies menstruation and heavy bleeding. This versatile herb has several other health benefits besides relieving period problems and menopause symptoms and can be used for effectively treating PMS, arthritis, and lowering blood pressure. Chinese herbalists recommend it for both males and females to treat cardiovascular disorders like high blood pressure or circulatory problems and studies show that it can help regulate the production of unhealthy prostaglandins which are responsible for increased blood flow. In addition, Dong quai is very rich in iron and so it is used to treat or prevent anaemia and because Dong quai carries nutrients including magnesium, B12 and vitamin E, which all regulate the nervous system and ease pressure placed upon it, it can also help ease stress and headaches.

 

Dong quai is a root that is usually crushed into a powder and then taken as a pill.  (Dong quai is contained in the combination herbal supplement Black Cohosh Plus, see the Resources Page).

Restful sleep is essential for a fully functioning mind and body. Most of us need around seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Long lie ins can give you symptoms of jet lag without the holiday so get up at the same time on weekends and go to bed earlier if you feel tired.

Selenium, like zinc, is another important nutrient for boosting your fertility and the fertility of your partner. This mineral is used to make antioxidants called selenoproteins which help protect your body from free radical damage – very important in the process of cell division. With its protective effect selenium can prevent chromosome breakage which is known to cause birth defects and miscarriages. Deficiency in women has been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage.

Good levels of selenium are also essential for sperm formation and testosterone production in men. A lack of selenium in men is associated with sperm that cannot move properly, because selenium is essential for making sperm’s strong whiplash tails. In one double blind trial selenium supplementation resulted in an increase in fertility from 17.5 to 35.1 per cent in sub-fertile men. Other studies show that blood selenium levels are lower in men with low sperm counts.

 

Research suggests that the antioxidant activity of selenium may even make sperm more fertile. An interesting study looked at men with good sperm counts but low fertilisation rates during IVF treatments. These men were given selenium and vitamin E supplements each day. One month after starting treatment the fertility rate increased from 19 percent to 29 percent.

 

Selenium should be found in the soil where we grow our food but you can’t rely on this anymore, and as there are no obvious signs of deficiency you won’t know if you are getting enough or not, so supplementing is safer and wiser.

 

If you are trying for a baby you and your partner should both aim for 100 mcg of selenium a day.  (This amount of selenium is contained in the Fertility Plus for Women and the Fertility Plus for Men, see the Resources Page).