When clients come to our clinic during their fertility journey, we usually assess the four pillars of fertility. Looking at these four pillars can narrow down where you could have problems and offer a guide on how to approach them. You can do this yourself to get an idea of your general fertility and in what area you might need help. 

The seed refers to the ovum or sperm. This pillar is equally relevant for men and women. Your body will produce the best quality seed when your health and digestion are at their optimum. 

If any of these statements are true for you, your digestion has room for improvement.

I have a coating on my tongue. 

I have bad breath. 

I’m not hungry in the morning. 

I have a low appetite. 

My bowels are irregular. 

I don’t need the toilet in the morning. 

I am often constipated. 

If you want to improve your digestion, try regular meals, early dinners, and spices like ginger, pepper, cardamom, coriander, fennel, or cumin seeds. If you sign up to our newsletter, we will send you an ebook that guides you through a full digestive reset. 

The Kshetra stands for the soil which the fertilised seed will be planted into, i.e. the endometrium. Ideally, your endometrium is pure and healthy as it needs to be capable of nurturing the fertilised egg for three months until the placenta forms and takes over the nourishment. 

To check the quality of your endometrium, do what we call the white cloth test. When you have your next period, put some menstrual blood onto a white cloth. Next, rinse it with lukewarm water. If no stains remain, you have balanced menstrual blood. If there are stains,  this can indicate an imbalance or ama in the endometrial lining you are shedding during each menstruation. Consult your Ayurvedic practitioner, who will tailor a programme of dietary recommendations, herbs and treatments for your individual needs. 

A note on rasa

Simultaneously we usually work on improving rasa. Rasa is the first tissue in Ayurveda and forms directly from our digested food. According to Ayurveda, the endometrium is nourished by rasa. A healthy rasa ensures that you are optimal nourishment when you embark on your pregnancy. This brings us to the next pillar of fertility. 

You can nurture your body specifically for the reproductive system and hormone balance. We aim at keeping an alkaline pH and increasing folic acid and chromium levels. If some of these statements are true for you, you might want to consider adapting your diet.

I eat processed foods more then twice a week.

I batch cooked and eat reheated food throughout the week.

I eat lot of raw salads.

I use a microwave to cook my food.

I eat because it is time to eat even if I am not hungry.

I eat fruit and yoghurt every day.

I eat ice cream every day. 

Some of these statements seem to describe healthy habits, or at least we think these are healthy in the West. Therefore, let us explain a bit more. Processed food has low prana (life energy) and usually is full of additives which all create ama (undigested, sludgy food toxins in your gut). Reheating foods and leftovers, older than 12-24 hours also become devoid of life force and are a strain on the digestive system. Salads are hard to digest and dampen agni. We only recommend salads at lunch and during the summer months for those with strong digestive power. Microwaves turn your food into an ama producing substance devoid of prana and bound to produce ama. If you eat when you are not hungry, you overload your digestive system and some food will remain undigested and turn into ama.Fruit and with yoghurt or any other dairy are not compatible according to Ayurveda. Incompatible foods hamper our digestion and produce ama.  

For optimal health and fertility eat fresh foods, and listen to your hunger. Foods that are particularly nourishing and aid pH balance are soaked almonds, figs, bananas and grains like amaranth, barley, and chestnut. These grains are high in essential amino acid and nutritious according to Ayurveda.

Rutu refers to the environment within and outside yourself, for example, where you live, your work, and your relationships. Nature’s intelligence won’t allow your body to become pregnant if you are not feeling safe. Stress, environmental toxins, and a strained relationship can make your body think that this is not the right time to get pregnant. 

Here are a few statements that if answered with yes, can indicate that you need to improve your inner or outer environment. 

I have mould in my home.

I’m exposed to artificial perfumes at home or at work (cleaning detergents, perfumes, etc. – smells that linger for a long time are an indication that they contain endocrine disruptors). 

My work involves handling chemicals. 

I don’t feel safe in my home. 

I don’t feel I can discuss my emotions with my partner. 

I don’t like myself. 

I feel like I’m not enough.

Please keep in mind that all of the above statements are not a diagnostic tool but pointers towards where there might be room for improvement.

Treatments

In our clinic fertility treatments usually also include Ayurvedic massage treatments to reduce congestion in the pelvic area and ensure optimal blood and lymph flow so the nourishing oxygen and blood can enrich the endometrium. These treatments are beneficial to everyone concerned about their endometrial health. 

If you want to go on your fertility journey with us, you can book a free mini-consultation here.