Turmeric for Fertility – Does It Really Help?

Couples planning to start a family should be aware that fertility issues can get in their way. Around 15% of couples are affected by fertility issues but the good news is that fertility problems can be treated. While are many treatments available, home remedies are always sought after remedies and also effective. For instance, turmeric, a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, which is known for its medicinal properties, is also believed to improve fertility. If you’re soon planning to have a baby and are looking for ways to improve your fertility levels, you might want to consider incorporating turmeric for fertility in your diet. In this article, we will tell you if turmeric really works to improve fertility and if yes, then how?

What Is Turmeric?

Native to Southeast Asia, turmeric is a plant that belongs to the ginger family. It is primarily used as a whole or in the powdered form. Turmeric is deep yellow or orange in colour and is extremely popular in Indian houses for its medicinal benefits; it is even a staple ingredient in most dishes.

How Does Turmeric Help Improve Male Fertility?

Infertility is not just a problem in females, it also affects males too, but it can be treated. However, before we tell you how turmeric helps improve fertility in males, you must find out what could be the causes of infertility in men.

Infertility in men can be caused by various biological and health factors, which are as follows:

• Low levels of the thyroid hormone can cause a problem in conception.
• Poor mental health or frequently high levels of stress can affect performance.
• A varicose vein in the testicles can prohibit the sperm from escaping the body.
• Certain medications could also be responsible for low fertility in men.

Now let’s understand how turmeric for male fertility works. Turmeric contains various compounds that help tackle the problems listed above.

An important compound found in turmeric is ‘curcumin‘. It helps reduce anxiety and stress and improves performance. It also helps reduce damage caused by harmful free radicals in the body. Along with curcumin, Vitamins E and C present in turmeric also boost antioxidants that are reduced as a result of low thyroid hormones. Turmeric is also rich in vitamin C which helps improve the sperm count in the body. Various other compounds like Eugenol, Limonene, and Quercetin reduce stress levels and keep depression away.

How Does Turmeric Help Improve Female Fertility?

Women in most Indian families are questioned for their inability to conceive. There are various reasons why a woman may not be able to conceive. And most of these issues can be tackled with. Find out the reasons for infertility in women then we will understand how turmeric can help treat infertility.

• Hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can heighten infertility.
• Damage to the uterus or fallopian tubes.
• Low levels of thyroid hormone production can hinder releasing of the egg.
• Excessive stress can inhibit hormonal imbalance causing infertility.

There is a relationship between turmeric and female fertility. Turmeric can help treat some of the problems mentioned above. The antioxidants in turmeric help the body fight free radicals. Turmeric also helps treat fertility conditions like PCOS, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.

How to Include Turmeric in Your Diet While You are Trying to Conceive?

Turmeric can be incorporated into one’s diet daily in order to keep regular consumption in check. Wondering how to use turmeric for fertility? Here are a few dishes/drinks that one can make at home:

1. Turmeric Milk

Turmeric milk is a remedy to everything in an Indian household. Here’s how your grandmother would have suggested making it.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 glass of milk
• Jaggery to taste

How to Make

1. Bring the milk to a boil in a saucepan.
2. Add turmeric powder and jaggery and keep stirring.
3. Bring it a boil again then turn off the flame.
4. Drink hot turmeric milk.

2. Breakfast Smoothie

Here is a healthy turmeric smoothie that you can include in your breakfast.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup cut pineapples
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 cup milk

How to Make

1. Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend.
2. Strain the mixture through a muslin cloth.
3. Serve chilled.

3. Turmeric Rice

A simple yet flavorful way to include turmeric in your diet is by adding it to your rice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp ghee or olive oil
• Salt to taste

How to Make

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a pot, heat ghee or olive oil and add turmeric powder.
3. Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat it with the turmeric mixture.
4. Pour in the water and add salt to taste.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is cooked.
6. Fluff with a fork and serve.

4. Turmeric Tea

Turmeric tea is a soothing and healthy way to enjoy the benefits of turmeric.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• Lemon wedge (optional)

How to Make

1. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
2. Add turmeric powder and reduce the heat to let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Strain the tea into a cup.
4. Add honey and a lemon wedge if desired.
5. Stir well and drink warm.

FAQs

1. Does turmeric cause infertility?

This is a popular misconception among people. People often ask, “Is turmeric safe while trying to conceive?” As discussed in the article, turmeric actually increases fertility. The compounds in turmeric are beneficial for both men and women. It also increases semen production in men and eliminates inadequate performance.

2. Can you use turmeric as a birth control?

Turmeric is a natural product that contains various compounds that help achieve hormonal balance and also support the pregnancy. Any fact about turmeric being a contraceptive is a myth. It is actually quite the opposite.

This was all about turmeric and fertility. Turmeric actually boosts fertility. A regular dosage of the ingredient can not only help a person with fertility but also depression, anxiety, and any other stress-related troubles. Opt for turmeric for a healthy, cost-efficient, and effective alternative for improving fertility.

References/Resources:

1. O’Connell. A, Abdalla. T, Radulovich. A, Best. J, Wood. E; Curcumin Supplementation and Endometrial Lining: Examining the Role and Pathophysiology of Use During Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer (Cureus); National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8754353/; December 2021

2. Ganiger. S, Malleshappa. H, Rajashekhar. G, Rao. V, Sullivan. F; A two generation reproductive toxicity study with curcumin, turmeric yellow, in Wistar rats (Food and Chemical Toxicology); Science Direct; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691506002043; January 2007

3. Zhang. Y, Cao. H, Yu. Z, Peng. H, Zhang. C; Curcumin inhibits endometriosis endometrial cells by reducing estradiol production (Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine); National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941414/; May 2013

4. Koca. S, Ongun. O, Ozmen. O, Yigit. N; Subfertility effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on reproductive performance of Pseudotropheus acei (Animal Reproduction Science); Science Direct; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378432018306766; March 2019

5. Sirotkin. A, The Influence of Turmeric and Curcumin on Female Reproductive Processes (Planta Medica); National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34416765/; October 2022

6. Zhao. Y, Zhang. Y, Liu. D, Feng. H, et. al.; Identification of curcumin as a novel potential drug for promoting the development of small ovarian follicles for infertility treatment (PNAS Nexus); Oxford Academic; https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/1/3/pgac108/6634248; July 2022

Also Read:

Does Cinnamon Boost Fertility?
Healthy Foods to Improve Fertility
Apple Cider Vinegar to Boost Fertility
Fertility Supplements That May Help You Conceive
Natural Ways to Increase Fertility in Men and Women
Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea To Improve Fertility

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