(Pre)Conception File: Fertility Tea

There are many different recipes for fertility boosting tea, but this is the one a midwife recommend I try. It uses 3 ingredients, red raspberry leaves, red clover, and mint leaves.

A caution before I begin, this tea is for boosting fertility and should not be drunk for the 2 weeks after you ovulate and before you get your period (or positive!). Some studies have shown that women who are prone to miscarriages or who know they have a weak uterus should not use red raspberry leaves in early pregnancy because is may cause miscarriage. There are also some benefits to drinking it in early pregnancy, BUT you need to speak with your doctor or midwife before you do!

Red Raspberry Leaves- I was very excited for this one, because i knew I would be able to harvest and prepare my own leaves! But for those of you who don't know some one with a bush, you can buy the leaves at a herb shop, online, or even in tea bag form at your local health food store.

"According to Jennifer Brett, N.D., on MotherNature.com, the relaxation effect of red raspberry leaves on the uterine muscles may work to help prevent early miscarriage and to assist early embryos in attaching to the uterine wall. She adds that the tea's phyto-progesterone quality can increase progesterone levels."

Read more about red raspberry benefits here

Red Clover- While you can harvest your own red clover you need to make sure the field has no pesticides or any other chemicals on it. The season right now if fall so I was  not able to gather any up, but went to my local Herb shop and bought a large ziplock bag of red clover for $5. You can also find it online or in your local health food store. 

Susan S. Weed, author of the Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year calls red clover blossoms “the single most useful herb for establishing fertility.”

Read more about the benefits of  red clover here

Mint Leaves- You can easily harvest and dry you own mint leaves or buy mint tea in any grocery store. 

Mint leaves don't really boost fertility, although they are said to help relieve stress. Mint is used more for flavor in this tea then anything else.

First gather up your ingridents. You will need;

1 mason jar ( i used a honey jar)

1/4 cup of tea leaves (divided into 1/2 clover and 1/2 red raspberry tea)

1 table spoon mint leaves

some honey to taste

Set a pan of water on to boil, and place your mason jar in a bowl of hot water, or under a running hot water in the sink to warm it up. Once your water is boiling take your mason jar out and add your tea leaves to it, then slowly pour your boiling water in. Let steep for 15 minutes, or for stronger tea let it steap for up to 4 hours. 

Next you strain your tea and have a cup with a little bit of honey. Refrigerate the remaining tea, and have 1-3 cups a day in preparation for you pregnancy.

I hope some one else out there is as excited to make this as I am! Till i get another free moment I am off to go on a bike ride with Honey and drink some tea when i get home. 

                                        Honey and his little girlfriend ready to go!