Transitionally, many women over 40 consider that they cannot conceive naturally. While in the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), it believes that supporting your overall health is the key to getting pregnant after 40. When you maintain overall body health, your fertility naturally improves.
In TCM, Chinese physicians use alternative therapies such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and massage to assist women over 40 in conceiving, and it focus on every aspect of your well-being to improve your chances of conceiving naturally, address menstrual irregularities, improve egg quality, and naturally stimulate ovulation. During the process, Chinese herbs play an essential role in helping you conceive naturally.
In this article, we will introduce 10 powerful Chinese herbs that can significantly boost fertility for women over 40.
Why Is It Hard for Women Over 40 to Conceive?
As we age, our hormone levels decline. Female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone decrease, which can affect fertility. Many women in their 40s are entering perimenopause or menopause.
Knowing your biological clock is ticking can be stressful, and stress is never helpful for conception. Constant worry and anxiety can make you feel like getting pregnant is impossible.
TCM makes it possible for women over 40 to conceive successfully and enjoy a healthy pregnancy and baby. How does it work? TCM uses natural methods such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage to reduce stress, making the body more receptive to conception and improving fertility.
Why Can Chinese Herbal Medicine Improve Female Fertility?
In the history of TCM, it uses herbal medicine to treat infertility dates back more than 2,000 years in China. For centuries, Chinese doctors had understood how to use special herbs to regulate the body and support couples in conceiving.
Studies show that Chinese herbs help address fertility issues in both women and men. For example:
A 2015 study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine “Chinese herbal medicine for female infertility: An updated meta-analysis” showed that using Chinese herbs to treat female infertility can double pregnancy rates within 3–6 months.
A 2017 study in International Review of Neurobiology “Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Male Infertility” indicated that Chinese herbs improve sperm motility and quality, increase sperm count, restore hormone balance, and regulate immune function, enhancing reproductive health.
TCM practitioners treat infertility by addressing root causes rather than only the obvious symptoms. Like an architect focusing on the foundation of a building, TCM focuses on strengthening the body’s foundation. When the body’s foundation is healthy and balanced, Qi and blood flow freely, and fertility issues often resolve naturally.
How Long Does It Take for Chinese Herbs to Work?
Typically, it takes about six months of herbal treatment to support conception, but this varies based on individual health conditions.
Compared to Western medical drugs, Chinese herbal medicine can double pregnancy rates within 3–6 months and positively affect fertility indicators like ovulation, cervical mucus score, basal body temperature, and endometrial thickness.
Which Chinese Herbs Are Most Effective for Women Over 40?
Age is an important factor in female fertility, and while some things are beyond our control, others—like diet and lifestyle—are within reach.
If your menstrual cycle is too long, too short, heavy, or light, these may signal fertility issues. TCM practitioners often use the following herbs to boost fertility in women over 40:
10 Chinese Herbs That Help Women Conceive
- 香附子Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus)
Function: Regulates menstruation, relieves pain, soothes the liver, and disperses stagnation. Treats menstrual irregularities caused by liver Qi stagnation.
- 菟丝子Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta seed)
Function: Nourishes kidney essence, strengthens liver, improves vision, and treats infertility. Also used for male impotence and female uterine cold leading to infertility.
- 桑寄生Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry mistletoe)
Function: Tonifies liver and kidneys, strengthens bones, dispels wind-dampness, and calms the fetus.
- 续断Xu Duan (Dipsacus root)
Function: Strengthens liver and kidneys, improves bones, stops bleeding, and supports pregnancy.
- 覆盆子Fu Pen Zi (Chinese raspberry)
Function: Tonifies kidneys, secures essence, improves eyesight.
- 丹参Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
Function: Promotes blood circulation, removes stasis, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain.
- 枸杞子Gou Qi Zi (Goji berry)
Function: Tonifies liver and kidneys, improves vision, and addresses symptoms caused by kidney deficiency, such as infertility.
- 淫羊藿Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium)
Function: Tonifies kidney Yang, strengthens bones, and dispels wind and dampness.
- 车前子Che Qian Zi (Plantago seed)
Function: Clears heat, promotes urination, resolves dampness, improves vision, and detoxifies.
- 五味子Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra berry)
Function: Astringes leakage, generates fluids, tonifies kidneys, and calms the mind.
5 Herbs That Also Support Male Fertility
Cuscuta seed (Tu Si Zi), Goji berry (Gou Qi Zi), Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi), Chinese raspberry (Fu Pen Zi), and Plantago seed (Che Qian Zi).
Chinese Herbal Medicine Fertility Success Stories
Case 1: Treating IVF Implantation Issues with Chinese Medicine
A 40-year-old woman struggled to conceive due to IVF implantation difficulties. After taking Chinese herbal medicine for 18 months, she successfully conceived and maintained a stable pregnancy without miscarriage.
Before starting TCM treatment, she had undergone artificial insemination and IVF but failed to get pregnant. Her low HCG levels indicated an implantation issue, so we first prescribed herbs to improve implantation.
“Since I started taking Chinese herbal medicine, I haven’t caught a cold or any illness, even when work was hectic. My body feels very stable, and I’m really happy about that. Thanks to this, my health has remained stable throughout pregnancy, and I’ve had almost no morning sickness.”
Three months into treatment, she had a frozen embryo transfer but unfortunately experienced an unexplained miscarriage at seven weeks. However, this was still an improvement compared to her previous attempts, so we decided to restart the process from egg retrieval.
This time, after taking herbs to improve ovarian function and egg quality, she produced twice as many eggs as before, resulting in 10 frozen embryos.
By addressing implantation problems and enhancing egg quality, she overcame infertility. Despite being over 40 and worried about egg retrieval success, consistent herbal therapy helped her produce better quality eggs in greater numbers, stabilize her menstrual cycle, and ultimately achieve pregnancy.
Case 2: Overcoming PCOS-related Ovulation Issues with Chinese Medicine
A 42-year-old woman with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) suffered from ovulation problems after undergoing repeated fertility treatments.
Her ovulation dates were irregular, and five rounds of artificial insemination failed. After four months of herbal treatment to regulate her ovulation cycle, she underwent another insemination—and successfully conceived.
“I had done five insemination attempts. Before the fifth one, I started taking Chinese herbs, and I got pregnant immediately. Even though I didn’t take them for very long, I felt they really suited my body.”
In her case, PCOS caused ovulation delays, making it hard to conceive even with insemination. We prescribed herbs to improve PCOS symptoms and regulate her cycle, pinpointed ovulation right after the expected date, and achieved pregnancy after just one treatment cycle.
If your ovulation dates are irregular, or if multiple attempts at artificial insemination or IVF have failed, Chinese herbal medicine may help improve your body condition and boost your chances of pregnancy.
If you have PCOS-related ovulation issues or have tried many methods without success, contact us for a consultation.
Book Your First Consultation!
At Shanghai Medical Clinic, a TCM Clinic in Dubai, it helps many women over 40 successfully get pregnant through the combination of personalized herbal formulas with acupuncture.
When you book your first consultation, our experienced TCM practitioners will listen to your health concerns and fertility goals and create a tailored preconception plan for you.
If you’re interested in restoring your fertility naturally with herbs medicine, contact us today to consult with our experienced herbalists and find the formula that’s right for you.
No matter your age, trying to conceive can be stressful. If you’re over 40 and struggling, you don’t have to face alone—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Book your first consultation today and take the next step toward growing your family.
Please note: The use of the Chinese herbs should be strictly under guidance of Registred TCM Practitioners.
Further related video: How Chinese medicine doctor deal with disease?
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