Is Nettle Tea Safe For Fertility?

A cup of tea may be more than just a way to soothe your body and mind.
According to some sources, tea has the ability to increase your libido, too.

For example, Nettle Tea is known to boost fertility in men and women. 

As the name justifies, stinging nettle is a plant that stings and grows in fertile soils in Europe, North America, and Africa.

It is a herbal remedy with many health benefits and fertility-boosting properties.

Hence, due to the benefits of stinging nettle for fertility, it is mentioned in medical literature as one of the "uterine tonics," with reports from as early as the 15th century.

1. Fertility in Men & Women

Dealing with infertility and futile attempts to conceive can be extremely challenging for couples who wish to become parents soon. 

Reasons behind infertility can be many. Besides natural reasons, certain lifestyle factors negatively affect fertility in men and women. (1)

These include:- (1)

• Obesity
• Lack of nutrition 
• Stress and Anxiety 
• Environmental Exposures
• Occupational Pressures
• Substance Abuse 
• Certain medications. 

In search of ways to boost fertility naturally, you might have come across articles about "fertility teas". 

Before we delve deeper into what "pregnancy teas" are, let us try to understand more about infertility in women. 

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2. Factors that affect Women's Fertility

Women's fertility is their ability to conceive a biological child, and many factors affect it.

Sometimes it is the medical issues that can or cannot be cured, and sometimes a woman’s lifestyle and external factors affect her reproductive health. 

Medical issues affecting women's fertilityinclude - thyroid, PCOD, uterine abnormalities, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian insufficiency, etc. (2) 

Besides this, the concept of the biological clock ticking also holds.

With increasing age, a woman’s  quality and quantity of eggs decreases, making it harder for her to conceive.

3. Ways to Improve Fertility in Women

Despite the hurdles that come your way to getting pregnant, some methods can naturally improve your odds, thereby turning the tables in your favor. 

A few important ones are listed below -

• Get yourself a fertility diet and stick to it - Do you know ovulatory issues account for one-fourth of all female fertility problems?
  
  A healthy, nutritious, and well-balanced diet improves reproductive health and aids in conceiving. (3)

• Avoid alcohol and tobacco - The number of eggs a female body is born with is fixed.
  The chemicals in tobacco and regular intake of alcohol can harm them, and once the damage is done, they cannot be replaced. (4)

• Maintain a healthy weight - It is difficult for both underweight and overweight women to conceive since improper weight leads to irregular menstrual cycles. 

• Do not stress - Your mental health is connected to your body's hormones. This is why stress and mental pressure lead to irregular periods.
  So practice mindfulness to combat mental health-related issues. 

• Keep track of your ovulation - Use an ovulation tracking kit or period tracking app to ensure that the eggs and sperms are present in your uterus simultaneously.
  
  This will improve your chances of getting pregnant. 

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4. Does Tea help in boosting Fertility?

Fertility tea is commonly marketed by tea brands and is known to help increase fertility and improve overall reproductive health.

But does it help? 

Some holistic practitioners, midwives and nutritionists, believe these herbs release fertility-enhancing compounds when steeped in hot water.

This boosts libido and maintains the hormonal balance in the uterus.

Even though medical research hasn’t made a confident claim regarding the fertility teas, some research shows that certain tea ingredients may boost reproductive wellness. 

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5. Stinging Nettle Tea and Fertility

To prepare nettle tea for female fertility, infuse the leaves of the nettle plant in hot water.

Since, the tea has an earthy flavor which can be bitter, add honey or a slice of lemon to it for a better flavor.

Research shows that nettle tea offers post-birth support for females besides helping increase breast milk flow after birth.

In addition, researchers also point to the high concentration of nutrients, including iron and calcium, in nettle leaves. (5)

6. Benefits of Nettle Tea for Fertility

Nettle Tea acts as a uterine tonic helping to strengthen and tone the uterus, making it an ideal home for the tiny baby growing inside you. 

Stinging Nettle is ideal for fertility because it:

• Improves female fertility by supporting hormones.
• Helps cleanse the uterus.
• Ensures a healthy uterine lining.
• Maintains optimal testosterone levels in men.
• Ensures a healthy prostate in men.

The high calcium and magnesium content in nettle tea cleanses and detoxifies the system of harmful toxins. (6)

It also calms the mind and reduces stress, which significantly impacts fertility.

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7. How to Prepare Nettle Tea 

Nettle tea recipe is quite easy to make anywhere including at your home.

Here's how you can brew your own stock of nettle tea:

Ingredients: 

1 cup dried stinging nettle leaves

2 cups red raspberry leaves

1 cup dried peppermint

1 cup red clover

Recipe: 

• Add ¼ cup herb blend to a tea press. 
• Cover after adding boiling water.
• Let it steep for 10-15 minutes. 
• Discard the used herbs.
• Add a lemon slice or honey.

Also, according to the American Botanical Council, if 2–3 teaspoons of dried leaves are soaked in 1 pint of boiling water for 10–15 minutes, it will maximize the benefits of nettle tea and preserve the vitamin C content. (7).

While selecting the nettle leaf for fertility, opt for loose leaf teas for maximum freshness.

Also, go for the ones that are grown organically.
This will save you from the harmful effects of artificial fertilisers and pesticides. 

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8. Other Teas that help in fertility

Each of these pregnancy teas have their benefits and potential side effects.

You can even try fennel tea for pregnancy. 

It is always advised to practice moderation and consult a healthcare professional before adding it to your routine. 

9. Precautions you must take before consuming Nettle Tea

Herbs have been used as medications for ages, but just like any other medication, we cannot overlook the potential risks and side effects of stinging nettle.

Therefore, before consuming stinging nettle or any other herbal supplement, it would be wise to consult a doctor or a medical expert.

This nettle tea is known to have some mild and usually stomach-related side effects.

• Do not consume stinging nettle during pregnancy. (8)
  
  
• Stop the use if you develop breast engorgement, mastitis, or an overabundant breast milk supply.
  
  
• The plant may cause skin rashes. Using gloves is always recommended. However, it loses its stinging nature once it begins to boil.
  
  
• Nettle contains vitamin K, which can interfere with your blood thinning medication. 
  
  
• May lower blood pressure and sugar levels.
  
  
• Avoid its use if you are taking diuretic medication (water pills). (8)

In any of the cases above, always consult a doctor before using nettle tea to avoid adverse effects. 

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10. Final Verdict on use of Stinging Nettle Tea for Female Fertility

Although some research shows benefits from plant compounds, there is not much evidence supporting fertility teas.

However, they have received positive attention for general health and wellness.

It is believed to balance your hormones naturally and improve your fertility, helping you get pregnant faster. 

Moreover, a gently brewed herbal tea is unlikely to cause harm.

In fact, it will improve your overall reproductive health by adding an extra dose of antioxidants to your diet. 

However, seeking medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional before consumption can help you have an idea about the potential risks and the effects of stinging nettle tea on your chances of conception.