Kampo for Fertility | Gentle Kampo Care Based on Basal Body Temperature and Menstrual Status
There are actually clear clues for choosing Kampo for fertility. These are your basal body temperature patterns and your menstrual status. Once you understand the rhythm your body is currently moving in, the options will naturally narrow down. In this video, Dr. Kanpopo gently explains how to look at this using five checkpoints.
Five points to check first
1. Whether you have low body temperature. If there are days at 36.2°C or lower, it is considered low body temperature.
2. Whether your high-temperature phase is normal. It is normal if there are 9 to 16 days at 36.7°C or higher.
3. Whether your low-temperature phase is normal. It is normal if there are 11 to 16 days at 36.2°C or higher.
4. Whether you have menstrual pain. 5. Whether you have irregular bleeding.
With these five points, the Kampo medicine that suits you will become quite clear.
How to choose Kampo by basal body temperature pattern
If you have low body temperature | Reindeer antler preparation
If you have days at 36.2°C or lower, it is considered that you fundamentally lack the power to warm your body. For this, use a reindeer antler preparation. It is a crude drug said to have the effect of strongly warming the body. Since it is difficult to proceed with body preparation while your body temperature remains low, prioritizing the restoration of your body temperature comes first. It is important to continue until improvement is seen.
If there is an abnormality in the high-temperature phase | Deer antler preparation in the low-temperature phase / Reindeer antler preparation in the high-temperature phase
If you have fewer than 9 days at 36.7°C or higher, look here. Rokujo (deer antler) is the young antler of a deer, which is said to replenish the energy that warms the body and enhance the function of the 'kidney' in Kampo. The kidney does not just refer to the organ, but is a concept deeply related to reproductive function and hormonal balance.
If there is an abnormality in the low-temperature phase | Tortoise shell and deer horn preparation in the low-temperature phase / Deer antler preparation in the high-temperature phase
If you have fewer than 11 days at 36.2°C or higher, look here. Kiban (tortoise shell) is the shell of a tortoise, and Rokkaku (deer horn) is the grown, hardened antler of a deer. They are thought to replenish moisture and nutrients in the body and help the growth of follicles. Regulating the low-temperature phase is important for nurturing high-quality eggs.
If there are abnormalities in both the high and low-temperature phases | Tortoise shell and deer horn preparation in the low-temperature phase / Reindeer antler preparation in the high-temperature phase
By supporting both phases, you will regulate the overall rhythm of your body.
When you have menstrual pain or irregular bleeding
If you have menstrual pain | Add a Danshen preparation before and after menstruation
Add a Danshen preparation to the combination tailored to your temperature pattern. Danshen is a crude drug that improves blood circulation and alleviates blood stasis. In Kampo, menstrual pain is considered a sign that blood flow is stagnant.
For example, if you have an abnormality in the high-temperature phase and also have menstrual pain, the form would be to use a deer antler preparation in the low-temperature phase, a reindeer antler preparation in the high-temperature phase, and add a Danshen preparation before and after menstruation.
If you have irregular bleeding | Start with Tokishakuyakusan
Tokishakuyakusan is a representative gynecological Kampo medicine that replenishes blood, improves blood circulation, and balances the body's moisture. In Kampo, irregular bleeding is considered a sign of insufficient blood-replenishing power.
While continuing to take this, if there are abnormalities during the high-temperature phase, add a reindeer antler preparation; if there are abnormalities during the low-temperature phase, add a tortoise shell and deer antler preparation; if there are issues in both, add both during their respective phases.
Note that for those who have no abnormalities in body temperature but only experience menstrual pain or irregular bleeding, these are explained in detail in separate videos.
Supplementary advice from a Kampo pharmacist | Before Kampo, keep your body warm
From here on, I will share some insights from our pharmacy to supplement the video's content. At Unryudo, we receive many consultations regarding fertility, and what I feel is that thoroughly 'keeping the body warm' significantly influences the results. Let's organize the health practices introduced in the video.
1. Foods that replenish blood
Black beans, black sesame, spinach, liver, lean meat, prunes, jujubes, and goji berries. In Kampo, these are considered ingredients that replenish blood.
2. Foods that warm the body
Steamed ginger, green onions, garlic, cinnamon, and spices like Japanese pepper. Chicken, lamb, shrimp, walnuts, and jujubes are also warming ingredients.
There is one point to note. Raw ginger makes you sweat and actually works to cool the body down. Please be sure to use steamed ginger. This is a point that is surprisingly not well known.
3. Things to avoid
Cold drinks, raw vegetables, tropical fruits, sweet snacks, and drinks high in caffeine. People who habitually drink cold things are very often cooling their bodies without realizing it.
4. Do not let the three 'necks' get cold
The neck, wrists, and ankles. Let's make sure not to let these three areas get cold. The lower body is especially important. Keep the area around your uterus warm with a belly warmer or leg warmers. Be careful of air conditioning chill even in summer.
5. Sleep between 11 PM and 3 AM
In Kampo, this time period is considered the time when the kidneys function best. Whether you are sleeping soundly during this time affects your body's development. Avoid staying up late and aim for early to bed and early to rise.
6. Stress care and moderate exercise
If stress continues, the flow of 'Qi' in the 'Liver' (as defined in Kampo) becomes disrupted, which can worsen blood flow or affect the rhythm of ovulation and menstruation. Try deep breathing, light exercise, and time for hobbies. Exercise that makes you feel good, such as walking, stretching, or yoga for about 30 minutes a day, is ideal.
7. Fertility for men as well
Fertility is not just for women. Men should also be mindful of consuming zinc and vitamin E, quit smoking, moderate alcohol intake, and get regular exercise. Working on this together as a couple allows you to support each other and helps reduce stress.
From my experience at the pharmacy
The first thing I ask for in fertility consultations is to measure your morning basal body temperature for about three months.
With just one month of data, it is impossible to tell if it is a coincidence or a pattern. With three months, your own rhythm will become clearly visible. Please also record any concerning symptoms such as menstrual pain or irregular bleeding. The five checks in this article are designed to be read from those very records.
Depending on your age and medical history, it may be better to proceed with gynecological examinations in parallel. Since Kampo can be used alongside such treatments, please feel free to consult us even if you are currently visiting a clinic.
Summary
Choosing Kampo for fertility begins with knowing your own basal body temperature pattern and menstrual condition. For low body temperature, use reindeer antler preparations. For abnormalities in the luteal phase, use deer antler preparations during the follicular phase and reindeer antler preparations during the luteal phase. For abnormalities in the follicular phase, use tortoise plastron and deer horn preparations during the follicular phase and deer antler preparations during the luteal phase. If you have menstrual pain, combine with Danshen preparations, and if you have irregular bleeding, combine with Tokishakuyakusan.
And then, eat foods that replenish blood, eat foods that warm the body, dress to keep warm, get enough sleep, manage stress, and get moderate exercise. This accumulation of habits will help regulate your body from the inside out.
Do not rush your fertility journey; take it slowly. Kampo is here to help draw out the natural power your body already possesses. Start by measuring your basal body temperature for three months.
For consultations regarding Kampo, please feel free to contact Unryudo, a Kampo pharmacy in Sendai. We also accept online consultations.
Unryudo Official Website: https://www.unryudo.com/