AboutBaihu Expertise I am working toward a Ph.D. in Natural Health, and have a B.S. Med.Sci. with 14 years past clinical experience as a physician assistant in psychiatry and cardiology. I am a Reiki Master, and have a special interest in subtle energy medicine, meditation and aromatherapy. My grad studies have covered many topics including accupressure, chinese medicine, herbology, naturopathy, ayerveda and others. I am a U.L.C. ordained minister (title Preceptor - minister for individuals, instead of a congregation) to better serve the spiritual needs of my holistic health clients.
Experience I have had 13 years clinical practice as a physician assistant with experience in both psychiatry and cardiology. I am currently working toward a Ph.D in Natural Health, and have been working with various levels of Reiki since the mid-90s.
Publications Point of Light Magazine, spring 2000.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science in Medical Science (physician assistant) with past national certification. License currently inactivated, as I am not in mainstream clinical practice. Currently enrolled in Ph.D. program with Clayton College of Natural Health, Birmingham, AL, USA. Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Universal Life Church, Modesto, CA, USA
Awards and Honors Outstanding Young Women of America 1988, 1997, Writer's Castle poet of the year 2004
Question Hi. I have been trying to get pregnant for 7 months now and started doing research online about Chinese medicine/herbs. I started taking Dong Quai and Vitex and a tinksure of Maca everyday for about the last 30 days. I ususally get my period around 35-37 days. I am not at 40 days and havent gotten it. I took a pregnancy test this morning and it was clearning Negative. Please help me. Did I do something wrong?"
Answer Whew...where to start with this!
First congratulations on wanting to start a family. Kids are just the most wonderful people ever!
To give your baby a healthy start, why would you want to have all those really strong herbs in your system when you conceive? The best thing is to eat healthy, exercise, and take a good multivitamin that makes sure you get a little folic acid...nothing overboard, just a good safe general multivitamin.
Second, these herbs are usually intended to regulate problem periods... if your periods were normal, you may not have needed these herbs to start with.
Both Vitex and Dong Quai are very potent. Maca I'm less familiar with. I believe they all have a strong phytoestrogen make-up. It could be the combination of the herbs is just far too strong for you. Another possibility is the combination of the three may be suppressing your own natural cycle instead of enhancing your fertility...just like birth control pills do. If your cycle is suppressed, that would make it harder to get pregnant by delaying or changing when you release your egg.
Learning more about how to detect fertile days naturally with temperature tracking or vaginal secretions...or even the devices available over the counter ...might be a better option. Then you can increase sexual activity on your most fertile days to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Combining two herbs right off the bat is very challenging even for experts. Three is over the top. If a problem turns up, how do you know which of them was the cause? Is it the result of one herb or because of the combination itself? Herbs are abelieved to have energy signatures...some are warming, some are toning, some are cooling, some are soothing...like I said, I'm not as familiar with maca as I am with vitex (chasteberry) & dong quai, so it could be the blend of the three are working at odds with each other instead of working with your system.
For now, it might be the best idea to stop all herbs, let them wash out of your system, and then start again fresh under professional guidance.
As I remember the mainstream medicine part of this, you aren't even considered as having a fertility problem until you have been trying 12 months or more with no results. You can check with your doctor for the details about that.
My instinct...and this is pure intuition, nothing at all scientific...my gut feeling is that you are treating a problem that doesn't necessarily exist with some pretty potent herbs - and it is too much for you. I get a feeling of anxiety when I read your question...which may be part of the problem too.
You said you have only been at it for 7 months. Stressing out over getting pregnant is often as much of a block as physical problem. Herbs wouldn't be a good choice to have in your system for that either. Helping stress related problems is where alternative medicine really shines.
After all, holistic medicine isn't about using herbs to counter a specific physical problem...that is how mainstream medicine uses pharmaceuticals.
Instead, holistic health looks at the big picture, and gets to the root cause of a problem...mind AND body AND spirit. Instead of rushing to herbs, why not try non-plant based relaxation and healing methods...like yoga, meditation, tai chi or reiki. They are harmless, and won't give you any hormonal setbacks. Plus, they might smooth out your energies enough to let nature take its course.
I can't say enough how important it is to work with professionals face to face. Online questions like this are just general information...they can NEVER take the place of a REAL holistic consult. PLEASE always see a doctor and a alternative medicine specialist for these kinds of concerns- for your safety and your baby's!!
