[ZoeB]

I was just wondering if anyone uses these? I know a friend who has.

I shall be asking my reiki lady tommorrow night.  She has given me a remedy for the bath, it is: geranium, clarysage, fennel, thyme, nutmeg and corriander, put few drops of this under hot running water.

I haven't tried it yet ~ don't keep any in house

If any of you try it let me know.

Zoe x

 

[CJ]

Hi ZoeB , I haven't use chinese herbs but I have been using homeopathic ones . Have a look on the post mark Homeopathy you might find some useful info on there.
Iv'e been using she oak which is mentioned on there and it's an Australian bush remedy, and it's worked for me as before taking it I hadn't ovulated for 5 mths and I took it for 3 weeks and ovulated ! Which is great .
Anyway have a look it might be helpful.

Love CJ x

 

[Jayne B]

Hi, I'm new around here, and just started on the baby journey.

I haven't used chinese herbs, but am considering it as my friend who had awful endo, and basically was told couldn't conceive on her own, has become pregnant naturally. She was taking chinese herbs. By the way the ones she had were awful to drink, but it's gotta be worth a go eh!

I'm all for alternative therapies, even if some of it is just a case of helping yourself instead of just waiting for the specialists to come up with treatments. Homopathy is great - cured my severe childhood ezcema.

I'm gonna look in our health food store in their homopathy book too. I reckon GP's should be more supportive of alternative therapies, for everything, not just fertility issues, cos it could save the NHS a lot of dosh & help people without giving unnecessary drugs, but sadly a lot of them are scared of alternative methods. Let me know what you do,
bye, Jaynexx

 

[carole]

Hi - I've just started taking Chinese herbs and it's true - they taste VILE

but hey who cares, if it works ^thumbsup^

They are also quite expensive, more than I expected anyway, but not as expensive as IVF/ICSI

I am taking tablets as well as herbal tea. Will let you know of course if my next treatment works (ever hopeful)

Carole

 

[Guest]

Hi Zoe

Just a word of warning - clary sage shouldn't be used during pregnancy, so if you're having tx and especially on the 2ww I suggest you don't use it ... not sure if the other oils are contraindicated in pg but suggest you check them out.

I too have wondered about chinese herbs but my clinic director pooh-poohed them, saying you never know what you're being given because there are no regulations or controls on them, and also that they don't get to the root of the problem, they just trick the body into thinking it feels a certain way... but that's just her opinion... I certainly wouldn't rule anything out - if it works, then who cares!

Good luck with your dreams
love chick x

 

[LadyP]

I have just started chinese herbs with acupuncture/acupressure. The herbs are vile - I was dry heaving over the sink (sorry TMI) while trying to drink one dose.

We shall see - if all it does is give my ovaries a boost for the next IVF then fine. I'm hoping it'll give my immune system a much needed kick up the pants too.

She told me about a woman she had in a few montrhs earlier. She had been married 20 years and had not been able to get pg. The doctors here had basically given up on her so she decided on a last ditch attempt with TCM. 3 months after starting on the vile herbs she was pg..... She had been diagnosed with blocked fallopian tubes.

I have a piece of papaer in front of me which says:
"A review of the medical research from China and Korea shows that there is a 70 – 90% success rate for infertility using mainly Chinese herbal formulas. The time frame for this success is from three months to a year. The greatest hindrance in using this traditional approach to infertility in America is impatience and a lack of awareness of the efficacy and safety of this approach."

Impatience is not just an American traits I suspect....

 

[Hun]

Hiya Zoe,

Just to echo Chicks point, you must avoid all the oils you mention, especially clarysage, fennel, nutmeg, thyme and coriander, whilst on the 2ww, or if pregnant.

If you are not pregnant, these oils are safe as long as you use them as directed by your aromatherapy practitioner - they have good hormonal balancing properties.

I am a lover of aromatherapy baths, and although I have read that certain oils are safe to use in early pregnancy, I am avoiding all to be on the safe side. Perhaps when I am feeling a little braver I may use a few of the 'safest' oils at half strength.

Hun xx

 

[Pogo1]

Hi,

I've been having acu and chinese herbs for two months now. The doc. seems to be treating everything from my liver to my spleen- and the herbs do taste awful, but you get used to it. I don't know if it is this treatment - but my periods are lighter and less painful than before, also, I find I am completely relaxed afterwards. This is the third month before IVF treatment and I'm hoping it is going to help (they recommend at least 3 months before tx).

The clinic I go to has had quite a bit of success with infertility - several women have got pregnant naturally after years of trying. There is hope yet, but I only have one month to go before starting tx.

Julie - how long have you been trying TCM?

Crystal

 

[LadyP]

Not long at all, Crystal, since Thursday in fact and I can honestly say that those herbal 'teas' are the foulest things I have even ingested. Had a nice acupuncture/acupressure session on Saturday. I go back Thursday for another session and the next installment if herbs.

Not sure if it's related but I had a nosebleed Sunday am - first since childhood (and only ever once then). They've certainly been making my body hot - especially my feet.... so they are up to something. Time will tell I suppose.

Good luck with your next tx - mine won't be for a while yet. It'll my 4th - 1 & 3 were chem pgs tho' so I'm hoping it's just a matter of time.

 

[soozzee]

Hi Everyone

I started taking chinese herbs a couple of months ago. Crikey do they taste bad! I have to take mine 30 mins before eating, so I have to go downstairs at 6.30 am - it's BAD!

Having said that, my last period was like amazing (if a period can be described thus!). I had no clotting, no pain, it just started without the usual spotting for a couple of days... I can only think that it's the herbs & acupuncture, & my acupuncturist says that I have to have my periods working well before I stand any chance of getting pg... So I'm going to stick with them

Susie
x

 

[LadyP]

Well, looks like my herbs were a bit too strong this time.

After a few nosebleeds this week I went back for my follow-up session and she has changed the formula as my blood was too hot, hence the nosebleeds... Seems I can't get anything right!

I hope this lot taste better - smells quite nice (nutty almost) in the bag...

 

[Alison Jane]

Hello

I have just noticed this thread and thought I would add to the Chinese herbs theme. I started acupuncture over a year ago - and it has definitely regulated my periods and I suffer far less with pain, but still no pregnancy. My acupuncturist finally persuaded me to add some herbs - and I have been taking these for 3 weeks now. They are horrid tasting - but amazing how you get used to them - almost as if your body actually needs them. I feel more energetic, and possibly its all in my mind, but more positive too. I shall continue with both acupuncture and herbs right up until IVF no.1 with the thought that I tried everything I could.
I have found Zita West's new book excellent because of the way in which she believes Chinese medicine and western medicine can be used together. I would highly recommend this book if you are considering Chinese herbs.
Good luck with everything!
Alison

 

[greygoose]

anyone any experience of chinese herbs (the drinking ones) and good egg quality at EC and onto ET?
my therapist says taking the herbs will feed the womb and encourage strong egg production.
I believe her BUT, oh they are so awful, make me feel ill.
i was having both accup and herbs but stopped, will start again as i countdown to my autumn cycle.
just looking for some hand holding and some positive stories..
ta, x


Me, 36, DH, 40
DX profound tubal/hydro, male factor motility and morphology
Naturally conceived ectopic pregnancy Feb 2003
Due to begin Sept/Oct 2004

 

[clarem45]

Hi there I am new to this board and am 41 ttc number 2 - I have been taking chinese herbs too, but have to say tht they are making me rather poorly - I am trying naturally - but would love to hold hands with someone too!! As this road can be kinda lonely at times.

How long did you take them before?

clare

 

[greygoose]

hi clare,
i did the accupuncture and took the herbs for almost three months, until end of May 04. i literally stopped immediately when i got my DH's awful DX of morphology and motility issues (on top of my female ones).
just so shell-shocked i cancelled my accup and threw the herbs down the sink. didn't see the point after all the bad news.
am fighting with her (in a friendly way) over the herbs, the just seem like a bridge too far but if they work and get me my IVF/ICSI baby, then i'll drink them.
hope someone will come along and give us some advice/feedback on this topic.
talk soon and good luck

 

[Pogo1]

Hi all,

I took some of these herbs for 3 months and all the way through, I was always ill. If it wasn't for a cold, or tummy upset, I had all sorts of other complaints. As it was, when it came to my icsi, I didn't produce very good eggs as I did last time and the cycle failed. Anyway, I don't know if it was the herbs, but as soon as I stopped them, I felt much better.

good luck all,
Crystal
x

 

[tanny]

hiya, i've been having acupuncture (since april) & chinese herbs (since may).  started acu during my 1st ivf, sadly failed.  not sure they've improved my egg quality, they are concentrating on my endo & infertility - they've definitely regulated my cycle & it's now much less painful & heavy - so good news there!  although i know what you mean, i've almost stopped taking the herbs several times, 'cos they're so disgusting!  are you charting your temp too.  i am, it's not too much bother & it tells you so much about your cycles, ovulation etc.
sorry not much more positive news, will look out here & hope for some too!
best of luck - t x

 

[carole]

Hi Everyone

On my first 4 cycles of ICSI I didn't take any Chinese herbs. 4 BFNs....

Cycle #5 - took herbs and tablets for one month before starting cycling (you are not supposed to take them while cycling) and got a BFP! Not sure if it was the Chinese herbs, but I am not complaining!

Good luck all

Love from Carole

xxxxxx

 

[EmmaT]

Hi all

I started having accupuncture and "yukky" herbs in December last year after 3.5 years TTC.  I had had a pregnancy in 2001  but sadly m/c at 12 weeks.  We were put in the unexplained category and have undergone 7 cycles on clomid and 2 failed IUIs.  I was at the point of despair and was not sure whether I was ready mentally for IVF, so out of shear desperation we went down the chinese medicine route and boy am I glad we did.  After taking the herbs for 1 month I fell pg but unfortunately m/c at 7 wks.  My chinese practioner asked me to take the herbs and continue with the acc for 3 months without trying to fall pg.  I followed her advice and she said she would prepare my body for pregnancy, improve my egg quality and help with the implantation stage.  I must admit I was sceptical, because how can drinking that disgusting liquid twice a day do all of that.  Well it certainly did something and again the first month of trying after my 3 month break I fell pregnant and am now 21 weeks!

If you can stand the taste my advice is have faith, the practice I was going to have had amazing results, both with people falling pregnant naturally and with IVF/ICSI/IUI so there must be something in it.

Good luck
Emma

 

[renata]

we have been taking chinese herbs for about 6 months. My dh has very bad sperm analysis which has unfortunately worsend since then, even though he feels better. I also feel a lot better and my PMT got better and I am not as dpressed as I used to be, feeling generally more balanced. Now we are ready to switch to some vitamins, but worry about combining them with chinese herbs.Has anyone an opinion on this?