Prepare for Conception with a Fertility Cleanse…

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 to the Native Americans. Cleansing has always 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 tonifying 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?

The time while you are preparing for conception is one of the most important times to create a healthy body in preparation for pregnancy.

Over the years the body can accumulate toxins in the body from chemicals in the air, earth, water and from substances we put into our bodies. 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:

• Birth control
• Cigarette Smoke
• Pesticides
• Excess hormones
• Poor diet
• Alcohol, etc

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 livers job to remove it from the system. Some times, 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 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 it’s contents every month? Some factors may be…

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

Through using 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 it’s best, it requires proper circulation. With proper circulation the communication loop between the uterus and ovaries with 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 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 bring 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 a tincture to be most holistic, effective and gentle.
Gentle on the system yet effective
There is a wide spectrum of cleanses from a one day to 90 days entailing lots of trips to the bathroom and some 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 or reproductive health. While doing a fertility cleanse you are able to continue going to work and function in your every day 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, 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: Nourishing and cleansing for the liver, aiding in hormonal balance. Supports overall liver function for improved hormonal balance.
Milk Thistle Seed: Supports hormonal balance. It 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:The leaf is very nourishing and is high in vitamins and minerals. The root aids in liver health, stimulates digestion for improved hormonal balance.
Yellow Dock Root:Stimulates bile production for healthy removal of toxins, supportive of liver health and is high in iron.
Licorice Root: Licorice is an adaptogen herb, supporting the endocrine system for overall hormonal support.
Ginger Rt.: Increases circulation in the body helping to support healthy circulation and normal detoxification.

Uterine Cleansing & Support Herbs

Goldenseal Root: Anti-inflammatory. Reduction in inflammation may help to prevent scar tissue and adhesion formation. Cleanses to the uterus.
Damiana Leaf: A female aphrodesiac, damiana has been used for centuries to help increase circulation to the reproductive system as well as increase sexual pleasure.
Dong Quai Root: Dong Quai increases circulation, which helps to bring in fresh healthy blood to remove excess tissue growth, heal tissue damage, limit scar tissue and adhesion formation.
Peony Root:Overall this herb has excellent hormone balancing support. It also aids in pain reduction and relaxation. Moves the blood in the pelvic area, good 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.

Click here to purchase the Fertility Cleanse

Fertility Cleanse Tips & Q&A

Can I take my other supplements while I am fertility cleansing?
While fertility cleansing it is best to not take additional ‘new’ herbs or supplements unless they are your multivitamin, omega 3, or fertility superfoods. Herbs or supplements that were started previous to doing a fertility cleanse can be continued.
How should I eat during my Fertility Cleanse?
During the Fertility Cleanse it is not mandatory that you change your eating habits, BUT it is a great time to begin moving towards a fertility friendly diet. One of the most popular ways our clients do the Fertility Cleanse is to combine it with our 21 Day Fertility Diet Challenge (you can find this explained in the eBook ‘21 Day Fertility Diet Challenge’ at www.Natural Fertility Shop.com). This challenge has you add 5 foods to your existing daily diet, making it easy to add fertility friendly foods to your day.
Can we try to conceive the month I am doing the Fertility Cleanse?
We suggest that couples refrain from trying to conceive during the month of a Fertility Cleanse. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that there are herbs in the Fertility Cleanse that are not suggested during pregnancy. The second is the Fertility Cleanse works best in preparation before conception. It must be completed in its entirety for the best results, we do not want you stopping the cleanse before it is complete. If you think you may be pregnant you should discontinue the cleanse.

Can I do the Fertility Cleanse while I am on birth control?
We do not suggest that the Fertility Cleanse be performed while on birth control or other hormonal medications. If you are currently using medications, check with your doctor before starting any herbal or nutritional supplement program.
Is it safe to do a Fertility Cleanse while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, do not cleanse during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The herbs in the Fertility Cleanse are not to be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.
How do I know that the Fertility Cleanse is working?
Many women wonder what ‘signs’ to look for to know that the Fertility Cleanse is working. For some they may ‘feel’ different, get their periods back, see a shift in their cycles, experience relief from occasional menstrual cramps, and many feel nothing at all. Just because someone may not ‘feel’ any different does not mean that the Fertility Cleanse did not work. The Fertility Cleanse will help every person who performs it. Some women are more sensitive than others and ‘feel’ a lot, while others will not ‘feel’ anything, but get great benefit. Remember, the Fertility Cleanse is supporting the body in its normal functions, it works for each person to help nourish and support the liver and uterus in preparation for conception.
Will the Fertility Cleanse help me get my period back?
There could be many reasons someone is not menstruating – diet, hormonal imbalance, stress, nutritional deficiencies, etc. Many of our clients who were experiencing slight hormonal imbalances have gotten their periods back from only doing the Fertility Cleanse, but this will not work for everyone because/depending on the cause of the lack of menstruation. So we see the Fertility Cleanse as the first step towards getting a period back, with additional steps to follow such as diet changes, additional herbs to be taken monthly, stress reduction plans, etc. If you do get your period back due to the Fertility Cleanse, think of it as a bonus! But we do not depend on it alone, as the underlying imbalances/issues need to be addressed and the Fertility Cleanse is just the first step of many, but the best place to start.

Will the Fertility Cleanse be the only product I have to take to get pregnant?
No, most likely not. We have had some clients conceive directly after completing the Fertility Cleanse, but it is not designed as a fertility booster, but as a fertility preparation tool to help the body prepare for conception. It is the foundational program most of our customers begin with. Those clients without fertility issues complete a Fertility Cleanse as a healthy and great way to prepare for conception.
How many times can I do the Fertility Cleanse a Year?
We suggest to complete a Fertility Cleanse twice a year.
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Anderson, Richard, N.D., N.M.D. Cleanse & Purify Thyself. 2000
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Lust, John. The Herb Book. 1974
Weed, Susun. Healing Wise. 1989
Tierra, Michael, L.Ac., O.M.D. The Way of Herbs. 1998
Gladstar, Rosemary. Herbal Healing for Women. 1993
Holmes, Peter. The Energetics of Western Herbs, Vol. 1 & 2. 2007