Fertility essential oils are part of the all-natural and alternative methods used by couples that are facing difficulties conceiving.
Let’s face it: there are no lengths you won’t go to if you want to have a baby and you’re experiencing issues with fertility.
And since au naturel is here to stay, why not explore every fertility-boosting option possible: fertility essential oils included.
Let’s get into what essential oils are, and how you can harness their power to boost fertility!
What Are Essential Oils
Essential oils are scented, concentrated liquids extracted from plants using steam or pressure. The natural chemicals found in essential oils are the essence of the plant.
Essential oils have a wide use range, from perfumes and food flavorings to medicine and aromatherapy.
One way essential oils are used medicinally is to boost male and female fertility.
How Do Essential Oils Boost Fertility
There are four main ways in which essential oils support male and female fertility. They help by reducing stress, balancing hormone levels, reducing toxins in the body and supporting cell growth, as well as helping with digestion.
Let’s go through them and see how fertility-boosting essential oils can play a silent, but significant role, in the process of becoming parents.
#1. Reducing Stress
Couples trying to conceive but experiencing fertility issues are under major stress.
Scientists have figured out that the more stressed you are, the less you’ll be able to conceive.
This is where essential oils known to relieve stress come in. Plants like ylang ylang, geranium, bergamot, myrtle, and lavender are well known for their stress-relief characteristics. These fertility-boosting essential oils have calming effects guaranteed to relax you and boost your fertility.
#2. Balancing Hormone Levels
Hormone imbalance can be caused by different factors. It can have a negative impact on your efforts to conceive, as it may cause female infertility by disrupting ovulation, or not allowing the uterine lining to thicken. This causes conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis, which can get in the way of pregnancy.
Hormone imbalance also accounts for around 10% of male infertility cases. It manifests in a number of ways, starting from sexual dysfunction all the way to low sperm concentration.
Some of the essential oils that help balance hormone levels are clary sage, which can reduce your cortisol level (the primary stress-causing hormone) by 36%, as well as lavender, thyme, and vitex oil.
Want to learn more about balancing hormones using essential oils? Check out our full guide to essential oils for hormone balance!
#3. Reducing Toxins and Supporting Cell Growth
For new life to grow, a clean, non-toxic environment is necessary. So, in addition to staying away from drinking, smoking, and even eating junk food while trying to conceive, let’s bring into attention all the benefits of essential oils in reducing toxins in your body.
Citrus essential oils (the essence of fruits like lemon, wild orange, or grapefruit) are known as cleansing essential oils that help detox the liver and kidney.
Meanwhile, Frankincense is known for its cell-support and anti-inflammatory properties, while it also improves immunity, and regulates the thyroid gland.
#4. Improving Digestion
There’s a good reason why so many idioms use the gut to make a point - a gut feeling, a gut reaction, a kick in the guts...and so on.
The gut does more than just take food in, digest it and excrete it. It influences all your bodily systems, including your immune system, your hormone production - and thus your emotional and mental state too. And most importantly, it impacts your fertility.
How? Well, the microbiome found in the gut is responsible for converting bound estrogen to free one via particular enzymes. This means that an unhealthy microbiome can cause several issues which may eventually lead to infertility.
For this reason, essential oils such as peppermint, ginger, oregano, as well as thyme, and rose oil can help bridge the gap between gut irregularities and infertility.
How to Use Essential Oils
There are three basic ways you can use essential oils:
- Aromatically - when you inhale the essence directly by adding a few drops on your hand and breathing in deeply for a few seconds. Aromatherapy came to the spotlight when scientists discovered how it provides relief from several ailments.
- Topically - when you apply some diluted essential oil directly on the skin. Essential oils can usually be diluted with another oil - called a carrier oil, like coconut - before making contact with the skin.
- Internally - when you ingest them by placing them on top or underneath your tongue, or adding a few drops in water. Beware, not all essential oils can be ingested, so you should check before proceeding.
7 Essential Oils to Boost Fertility for Women
The number of female fertility essential oils out there is big, and their effects can vary from one person to another. No two organisms are the same, and while research confidently points to the therapeutic effects of essential oils, the Food and Drug Administration is still not monitoring and regulating their quality.
This means that researching the quality of a brand’s products and consulting with your healthcare provider is essential before you start using fertility essential oils.
This being said, let’s dive into the top seven choices:
#1. Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage oil is a highly recommended fertility-boosting essential oil because it can balance your hormones. With the rate it reduces cortisol levels, this essential oil is the MVP of combating anxiety and depression.
According to a 2017 study, clary sage oil has also been linked to estrogen balancing - a big help for women looking to get pregnant. That’s because having high, imbalanced estrogen levels can reduce a female’s chances of getting pregnant.
You can use clary sage oil by diluting it in a carrier oil (coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil), and rubbing it on your skin.
#2. Citrus-Sourced Oils
The majority of oils based on citrus plant fruits are great for boosting fertility. Citrus oils - especially those coming from lemon and wild orange - cleanse and detox your liver and kidney.
That’s not even all there is to them. Anecdotal evidence points to the power of wild orange oil as a stress reliever, fear-fighter, and mood enhancer, only to be backed up by a 2015 study that found orange essential oil helps alleviate women’s anxiety while in labour.
If this is what it can do for women in labour, we bet it will do a pretty good job reducing your stress and helping you conceive.
Use citrus essential oils by dispersing them in the air using a room diffuser.
#3. Geranium Oil
At least one study has suggested that geranium oil can be a powerful fertility-boosting essential oil for women due to its estrogen-producing properties. Geranium aromatherapy also has soothing effects.
You can use geranium oil either by rubbing it on your skin with a carrier oil or by dispersing it in the air through a room diffuser.
#4. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang is said to act as an aphrodisiac for both women and men, in addition to being a hormone balancer. So, if you or your partner are experiencing low libido, or feeling demotivated because you’re failing to conceive, the ylang ylang essential oil might be the answer for you.
A smaller study has also pointed out that the essential oil helps increase self-esteem and mental health, both of which can help raise your morale and boost fertility.
When it’s used for its aphrodisiac effects, ylang-ylang should be dispersed in the room.
Looking for more help with balancing your hormones? Check out our expert's guide to the 10 best hormone balance supplements that can do wonders for your health!
[featured-product handle="positively-pregnant"]#5. Lavender Oil
You might be undermining the powerful negative effects that stress and anxiety have on a couple trying to conceive. Meanwhile, several recent studies have found that women’s daily stress levels are linked to fewer pregnancy chances.
Lavender oil’s ability to reduce cortisol levels makes it almost as valuable of a fertility-booster essential oil as clary sage. Its added benefit? Lavender oil is also used to regulate sleep - which is nothing short of beneficial for a woman trying to get pregnant.
Lavender oil can be incorporated into massage oils or used through a diffuser.
#6. German Chamomile
The reason why german chamomile has made the list of fertility essential oils for females is due to its anti-inflammatory properties. German chamomile can help reduce fibroids and cysts in women, both of which can hinder your chances of conceiving.
This essential oil can be used to boost fertility for both women and men, as it is also said to combat sadness, anxiety, and irritability. This can help you and your partner gain a fresh perspective on the process.
German chamomile can be dispersed in the room through a diffuser, or it can be diluted into water and used as a spray.
#7. Rose Oil
A 2017 study that evaluated the physiological relaxation effects of rose essential oil found it has antidepressant properties, helps psychological relaxation, improves sexual dysfunction, and possesses anti-anxiety effects.
If that doesn’t scream fertility-boosting essential oil, we don’t know what does. Don’t hesitate to share it with your partner when used as aromatherapy.
5 Essential Oils to Boost Fertility for Men
Unfortunately, women mostly carry the heavy-weighing stress when a couple is trying to conceive. After all, it’s what a woman’s body is supposed to do naturally, right?
Well, yes and no. The reasons you might not be able to conceive are countless and don’t always depend on the female. Some are serious and require medical attention, but for other couples, it’s just a matter of time, persistence, and team effort.
For this reason,male fertility essential oils are also worth giving a shot. Let’s check out the best!
#1. Sandalwood Oil
The sandalwood essential oil is believed to improve libido and sexual appetite, as well as help with erectile dysfunction. This essential oil can be a good fertility booster for both men and women due to its aphrodisiac effects. But because it also boosts testosterone levels, make it a priority for your male partner to use it.
Sandalwood is usually dispersed in the air through a diffuser.
#2. Goldenrod Oil
Goldenrod oil is another male fertility essential oil known to increase sperm count and boost libido. If your male partner is suffering from stress and anxiety, the goldenrod essential oil has that covered. It is a stress-reliever, which is a life-saver when you try to make a baby but the stress just won’t let you.
#3. Marjoram and Sage
A 2015 study suggested that marjoram and sage can also be good male fertility essential oils, as they can tackle male infertility. More specifically, these two essential oils target obesity - one of the leading causes for male infertility.
Marjoram and sage can be used both as aromatherapy, and by applying them locally after diluting them with another oil.
#4. Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil is, apparently, a good fertility-boosting essential oil for both men and women. A study conducted on rats in 2017 showed that frankincense oil increased their sperm density.
Human trials have not yet concluded whether it has the exact same effects on us, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it does.
Nonetheless, this fertility essential oil is definitely worth the try!
#5. Basil Essential Oil
Basil is the last but not least male fertility essential oil on our list. Basil essential oil is believed to revive sexual instincts in men, relax their minds, and significantly boost libido.
Use this essential oil locally (after diluting it with carrier oils and consulting your healthcare provider) for a relaxing massage that can bring you and your partner closer physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Essential Oils to Avoid When Trying to Conceive
There’s still a lot of scientific research to be done on essential oils and the ways they can boost fertility.
For this reason, even professionals’ opinions regarding what fertility essential oils to avoid while trying to conceive might slightly differ. It’s always preferable to get a medical opinion tailored to your body, instead of jumping into aromatherapy uninformed.
Here’s a list of essential oils to avoid while trying to conceive:
- Ginger (it may impact menstruation if consumed in concentrated amounts)
- Rosemary
- Birch
- Camphor
- Parsley (high doses may impact uterine muscles)
- Juniper berry
- Nutmeg
- Sage
- Pennyroyal
- Wormwood
Other Ways to Boost Fertility
Here’s another silver lining: instead of solely depending on fertility essential oils, try combining them with other natural ways to boost fertility. Those include:
- Keeping a healthy diet, which greatly helps your body maintain hormonal balance.
- Reducing stress. Make time for yourself and try to practice some mindful activities, like yoga or meditation.
- Get enough sleep to maintain normal bodily functions, energy, and hormone levels.
- Avoid alcohol, as it decreases your chances to get pregnant by interfering with the production of estrogen in your body.
- Use fertility supplements, as long as they are organic. Fertility supplements work because they create and support an optimal environment for creating a baby inside your body. They improve your physical functions and can signal to your body that you are ready to conceive.
A great fertility supplement to start with is Positively Pregnant by Happy Healthy Hippie.
The Positively Pregnant fertility supplement contains 5 carefully selected fertility-boosting herbs that work together to promote the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and hormone balance.
This amazing supplement also comes in a dad edition!
The Positively Pregnant: Dad Edition fertility supplement contains 6 all-natural herbs specific for boosting male fertility.
If you want to read more about fertility boosting supplements, we’ve got you covered!. Here’s our article listing 15+ fertility supplements we highly recommend, as well as the science behind them.
Conclusion
There are many factors causing infertility, and some may be out of your control. However, other factors such as stress, anxiety, fear, and pressure are under your control.
We tend to underestimate and let them take over our lives without even noticing the damages they cause.
The effects of these emotional pressures can be detrimental to your fertility - and sometimes, there aren’t enough Big Pharma pills you can take to ease anxiety and elevate the pressure.
For this reason, diving into alternative options such as fertility-boosting essential oils or fertility supplements doesn’t hurt. On the contrary, it will unlock a door of possibilities that may do your desired pregnancy wonders.