Continued from last week
3. Turmeric: Turmeric, the golden child of Ayurveda, protects your DNA from damage, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and protects your liver. With your liver playing a very important role in detoxification and hormonal health, keeping it healthy and happy is crucial to both fertility and your overall wellness.
How to use:
Add 1/8 -1/4 tsp to smoothies.
Combine with your favorite aromatic spices, especially pepper, and add to sauteed vegetables.
Stir a bit into rice or quinoa for flavor and color that just won’t quit.
4. Cayenne: Cayenne has a reputation among herbalist as adding just as much heat to your libido as it does to your food. It’s regarded as an aphrodisiac, capable of increasing sexual desire and spicing up your sex life.
Whether or not any of that is true, is debatable, but what we do know is that cayenne has been shown to positively impact energy metabolism. The strong association between energy metabolism, hormonal regulation, and female reproduction makes cayenne a helpful kitchen spice for fertility.
How to use:
Sprinkle (and I do mean sprinkle, this stuff is potent) on avocado toast.
Add a dash to hot chocolate.
Stir a bit into peanut butter with a little cinnamon for a new spin on an old favorite- apple and peanut butter. Or try this spiced peanut butter mix on a baked sweet potato. Delectable!
5. Cinnamon: Who doesn’t love the aromatic smell of cinnamon? Despite lending a subtle sweetness to foods and drinks, cinnamon can actually help normalize blood sugar. Balanced blood sugar can help improve overall hormonal balance, especially for those with fertility issues due to PCOS.
How to use:
Sprinkle on hot cereals.
Add to apple (or pear) and peanut butter.
Use it to season lentils and bean dishes.
6. Nettles: Nettles really don’t get enough attention. They’re versatile, easy to use, and chock full of health benefits. It’s full of plant-based, non-heme iron, one of the micronutrients that have been linked to decrease the chance of ovulatory infertility.
How to use:
Make a simple tea or infusion to sip throughout the day.
Add to smoothies, soups, and stews.
Steam and eat as a delicious side dish. Concluded
