Image: Terrain Natural Medicine For those trying to conceive, whether naturally or with IUI or IVF, optimizing reproductive health is essential. In Chinese herbal medicine and fertility acupuncture, we often recommend castor oil packs as a simple, natural therapy to support pregnancy preparation, hormone balance, menstrual regulation, and uterine health. Castor oil has been used for centuries in holistic medicine to promote circulation, detoxification, and inflammation reduction, making it a valuable tool for those navigating fertility challenges. How Castor Oil Packs Support Fertility Castor oil packs are applied externally to the lower abdomen to support reproductive health and detoxification. The active component, ricinoleic acid, helps reduce inflammation and increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, supporting overall pelvic health. Key Benefits of Castor Oil Packs for Fertility: 1. Improves Circulation to the Uterus and Ovaries Blood flow is essential for healthy egg quality, a receptive uterine lining, and balanced hormones. In fertility acupuncture, we focus on improving circulation to the reproductive organs, and castor oil packs naturally complement this by:
2. Supports Detoxification and Liver Function In Chinese herbal medicine, the liver plays a key role in hormonal balance, detoxification, and menstrual health. Poor liver function can lead to hormonal imbalances that affect ovulation and cycle regularity. Castor oil packs help:
3. Reduces Pelvic Inflammation and Pain Chronic inflammation can be a barrier to conception and a healthy pregnancy. Castor oil packs have anti-inflammatory properties that can help with:
4. Supports Postpartum Recovery The benefits of castor oil packs extend beyond conception. Many women find them helpful during the postpartum period to:
How to Use Castor Oil Packs for Fertility To incorporate castor oil packs into your fertility routine, follow these simple steps: What You’ll Need:
IMPORTANT! When to Avoid Castor Oil Packs:
Combining Castor Oil Packs with Fertility Acupuncture in Minneapolis Mother Moon Acupuncture is located in Minneapolis, MN. We specialize in fertility acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to help individuals optimize their reproductive health. While acupuncture helps regulate cycles, improve egg quality, and support implantation, castor oil packs serve as a complementary home therapy to improve circulation, detoxification, and inflammation reduction. If you are preparing for natural conception, IUI or IVF incorporating castor oil packs alongside fertility acupuncture can help optimize your body’s ability to conceive. To learn more about how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can support your fertility journey, schedule a consultation today.
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Image: hwcmagazine At Mother Moon Acupuncture in Minneapolis, we are always looking for ways to support your health through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and Chinese herbs. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to nourish your body is through herbal teas that support fertility, digestion, immunity, and emotional well-being. One of my favorite recommendations for patients—especially those working on fertility, hormonal balance, or stress management—is Jujube and Goji Berry Tea. This ancient Chinese herbal remedy is deeply nourishing and has been used for centuries to support reproductive health, boost circulation, and calm the nervous system. The Benefits of Jujube and Goji Berries in Chinese Medicine In Traditional Chinese Medicine, food and herbs are powerful tools to restore balance and enhance overall well-being. Jujube dates and goji berries are two widely used Chinese herbs that can help with fertility, digestion, and stress relief. Jujube Dates (Da Zao) for Qi and Blood Nourishment Jujube dates are sweet, nutrient-dense fruits that have long been used in Chinese herbal medicine to:
In acupuncture and Chinese medicine, we often recommend jujube dates to individuals experiencing fatigue, irregular menstrual cycles, or emotional imbalances that may be interfering with their reproductive health. Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi) for Fertility and Longevity Goji berries are an essential Chinese herb for fertility, immunity, and longevity. They are commonly used to:
Goji berries are frequently incorporated into fertility-supporting herbal formulas in Chinese medicine because of their ability to nourish the Kidney Yin (reproductive energy). How to Prepare Jujube and Goji Berry Tea This tea is an excellent way to incorporate Chinese herbal medicine into your daily routine. It’s warming, nourishing, and can be enjoyed throughout the year, especially during the colder Minnesota months when the body needs extra support. Ingredients:
Who Can Benefit from This Tea? Jujube and goji berry tea is particularly beneficial for individuals who:
While Chinese herbs like jujube dates and goji berries can be incredibly beneficial, they work even better when paired with acupuncture treatments tailored to your specific needs. At Mother Moon Acupuncture in Minneapolis, we work with individuals to create personalized fertility and wellness plans that integrate acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle recommendations. If you are trying to conceive, struggling with hormonal imbalances, or simply looking for more natural ways to support your health, acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help. To learn more about how Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture can support your fertility and overall wellness, book an appointment today. When we think about fertility, our minds often focus on hormones, egg quality, sperm health, and reproductive organs. But did you know that your digestive system also plays a critical role in supporting fertility? At Mother Moon Acupuncture, we approach infertility with a holistic lens, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches us that gut health is closely linked to reproductive health. Nurturing your digestive system can be a key part of your fertility journey. One of the things I love most about practicing Chinese Medicine is the holistic approach to healing. It’s not just one thing that makes us feel better, it's the combination of small lifestyle changes that create a foundation for genuine health and healing. We have more control over our hormones and fertility than we often realize. Your daily diet is something you can control, and by focusing on gut-healthy foods and eliminating inflammatory foods, you can significantly improve your fertility and overall well-being. The Gut-Fertility Connection in TCM In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the digestive system, governed by the Spleen and Stomach, is viewed as the foundation of health. It is responsible for transforming the food we eat into vital energy (Qi) and nutrients that our bodies need to function optimally. This energy is essential for nourishing egg and sperm quality, balancing hormones, and preparing the body for conception. When your digestive system is compromised, whether from poor diet, stress, or inflammation, it can affect the quality of nutrients available to your reproductive organs. This may lead to issues like hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles, poor sperm health, and even infertility. How Fertility Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Can Help By focusing on gut health, we can enhance fertility. Fertility acupuncture treatment at Mother Moon targets both the digestive and reproductive systems to ensure proper nutrient absorption, reduce inflammation, lower stress, and promote a smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. This holistic approach improves fertility by addressing underlying imbalances. Remember: Healthy sperm and healthy eggs are essential for creating a healthy baby! If you’re trying to conceive, it’s important to have open, honest conversations about the diet and lifestyle changes you’re implementing. Both partners should be equally committed to these changes, conception is a team effort, not a one-sided responsibility. Practical Tips for Supporting Gut Health and Fertility Here are a few ways you can start nurturing your gut and reproductive health:
How Acupuncture Repairs the Digestive System and Optimizes Fertility At Mother Moon Acupuncture, we believe that fertility is a reflection of your overall health. Supporting your digestive system is a crucial step in optimizing fertility. Regular acupuncture treatments work to repair and strengthen digestion by improving nutrient absorption, reducing inflammation, and promoting balanced energy (Qi) flow. This not only enhances gut health but also creates a more supportive environment for conception. By addressing digestive imbalances, acupuncture can help regulate hormones, improve menstrual cycles, enhance sperm quality, and boost reproductive function. This makes acupuncture a valuable part of any fertility support plan, whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or preparing for assisted reproductive techniques like IVF or IUI. Ready to Explore Fertility Acupuncture? If you’re ready to explore how regular fertility acupuncture can support your digestion and optimize your fertility, Mother Moon Acupuncture is here to guide you every step of the way. You can book your appointment now with the link at the top of the page. This recipe uses warm ingredients to balance and nourish your Qi, while the apples and pumpkin seeds provide skin-boosting vitamins and antioxidants.
Ingredients:
The Healing Power of Bone Broth: A Recipe to Support Fertility, Immunity, and Overall Health9/30/2024 As the colder months settle in, it’s the perfect time to embrace nourishing, warming foods that not only comfort but also deeply support our health. One of the most beneficial remedies I love is homemade bone broth. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bone broth is recognized for its ability to promote wellness in several key areas, including fertility, digestive health, immune support, and skin health.
Why Bone Broth is Essential for Fertility and Overall HealthBone broth is a powerful ally when it comes to supporting fertility. Rich in collagen and amino acids, it helps nourish and build the blood, which is essential for menstrual health and improving fertility outcomes. Whether you're actively trying to conceive or supporting reproductive health, incorporating bone broth into your routine can offer gentle yet effective support. It’s also fantastic for boosting the immune system, packed with minerals and nutrients that help strengthen the body’s natural defenses during cold and flu season. Whether you're preventing illness or speeding up recovery, bone broth provides essential immune support that can keep you feeling strong and resilient. Additionally, bone broth works wonders for digestive health, soothing the gut and promoting healing. This is especially helpful for those dealing with digestive imbalances, as a healthy gut is key to overall wellness, including balanced hormones and optimal reproductive health. Finally, let’s not forget skin health—thanks to its high collagen content, bone broth can improve skin elasticity, promote hydration, and support your body’s ability to maintain a glowing complexion. Ingredients You’ll Need: *Choose organic whenever possible.
As we move through the seasonal transition, take time to nurture your body with foods that support your overall well-being. If you're looking for more personalized guidance on how to support your fertility, immunity, or digestive health through diet and acupuncture, we’re here to help at Mother Moon Acupuncture. Happy cooking, and may this bone broth recipe bring warmth and wellness to your season! Outside the clinic, I’m Momma to four amazing children. I know firsthand the ups and downs of trying to conceive, experiencing multiple miscarriages, and what it’s like to navigate the unpredictable path of pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. My path toward becoming an acupuncturist was long and winding, but my first pregnancy played a huge role in helping me find my purpose and passion. In 2006, when I was pregnant with my first child, I experienced preterm labor at 26 weeks, which resulted in three months of strict bed rest and a very difficult postpartum period. I struggled with severe postpartum anxiety, brain fog, and chronic fatigue for more than a year. I knew that becoming a new mom had its challenges, but this seemed like more than that. I just felt off. I went to the doctor multiple times during that first year of motherhood, desperate for some help. All of my labs and tests came back within the normal range, and I was told that nothing was wrong with me. But I knew something wasn't right. Eventually, I went to see an acupuncturist. I started getting regular acupuncture treatments and taking herbal medicine. My acupuncturist listened to my complaints and validated what I was feeling. She explained my diagnosis to me and advised me to make some diet and lifestyle changes. After about a month of following her advice, I could feel my brain fog lift, my anxiety ease, and my energy return. I finally started to feel like myself again. I was so relieved that it literally brought me to tears! Years later, when I was trying for my fourth child, I experienced back-to-back miscarriages. Although I knew pregnancy loss was common and happened to many women, nothing could have prepared me for the depth of grief, fear, and anxiety I felt during that time. It was truly one of the most difficult things I have ever gone through in my life. As challenging as those times were, I am, in some ways, very grateful for these experiences. They helped me turn my personal pain into a clear vision for helping others. It gave me firsthand experience in understanding how much people need and deserve compassionate care during these times. And it led me to the most fulfilling and heartwarming career I could have ever dreamed of. I founded Mother Moon in 2013 because I believe in nurturing the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. At Mother Moon, we understand the challenges of trying to conceive, and we are here to support you every step of the way. No two stories are the same, that's why our acupuncture treatments are designed to provide you with individualized care to support you on your journey to parenthood and through every stage of your reproductive life. Navigating fertility challenges is hard. We are here to help make your journey quicker and easier. Mother Moon Offers the Following Specialized Care
The Impact of Male Factor Infertility
Although it's not often talked about openly, male factor fertility is more common than you may realize. One in six couples struggle with fertility issues, 40-50% of those cases are due to male factor infertility. The fear of learning that sperm counts or quality may be low prevents many men from getting their sperm tested in the first place. Receiving news that your count is low can be devastating, especially because Western medicine has little to offer in the treatment of poor sperm quality other than using IVF. After struggling for some time, many couples opt to try medicated IUI cycles, while this treatment helps egg development, ovulation and zeros in on timing, it does nothing to improve the health of the sperm. When trying to conceive it is imperative to optimize sperm health. Going forward with IUI when sperm health is poor is often just a waste of your precious time, energy and emotions. The good news is that Chinese Medicine has been successfully treating male infertility for thousands of years. Acupuncture and herbal medicine helps to improve sperm count, motility, morphology and viscosity by increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, reducing stress, and encouraging a healthy diet and lifestyle to support overall health and fertility. Acupuncture and herbal treatments combined with diet and lifestyle changes have helped many couples conceive naturally and avoid western treatments altogether. For more difficult cases the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine significantly improves the rate of positive outcomes of IUI and IVF. Understanding Male Infertility Male infertility can result from various factors, including:
The Role of Sperm Health in Miscarriage Emerging research suggests that poor sperm quality may contribute to higher miscarriage rates. DNA fragmentation in sperm has been linked to early pregnancy loss, emphasizing the importance of male preconception health. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Male Infertility Traditional Chinese Medicine, encompassing acupuncture and herbal remedies, has been utilized for centuries to address male infertility.
Integrating TCM Before Assisted Reproductive Technologies For couples considering assisted reproductive technologies like Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), integrating TCM treatments 3-6 months prior can be beneficial. While IUI and IVF assist in fertilization, they do not address underlying sperm quality issues. Enhancing sperm health beforehand can improve outcomes and reduce the risk of miscarriage. Optimizing Reproductive Health Improving both sperm and egg quality before conception is crucial for passing on optimal genetics to offspring. A proactive approach to reproductive health can lead to healthier pregnancies and children. Consider Specialized Fertility Acupuncture Before consulting local Minneapolis IVF clinics such as the Center for Reproductive Medicine (CRM), Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM), Reproductive Medicine & Infertility Associates (RMIA), or KindBody, consider 3-6 months of specialized fertility acupuncture at Mother Moon. Our tailored treatments aim to enhance both sperm and egg health, providing a solid foundation for your fertility journey. By addressing male fertility proactively and integrating holistic treatments, couples can improve their chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy. If you or your partner are struggling with poor sperm health don't despair, Chinese medicine is well suited to make significant changes is sperm health. Ready to make some positive changes? Book your appointment here. I had been working with this lovely patient for about 5 months before she conceived. She originally came to me after experiencing a miscarriage from which she had conceived naturally. After the miscarriage, her usually regular periods became long and irregular. She and her husband had been trying to get pregnant again for months without success. She visited her gynecologist and was told her AMH level was very low at 0.1, at this point she reached out to me to seek Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine and also made an appointment to see a Reproductive Endocrinologist to consider IVF.
At her initial appointment we discussed her medical & menstrual history and took a close look at her lifestyle & diet. We examined what factors may be contributing to her fertility issues and identified some significant stressors in her life. She had a very busy work schedule and as a result she had developed unhealthy and irregular eating habits like skipping meals and frequently eating quick unintentional meals. This lead to an overall lack of nutrition and big drops and spikes in her blood sugar, which contributed to her hormonal imbalance and negatively effected her fertility. We discussed the importance of eating regular meals and I gave her specific diet and lifestyle suggestions to optimize her fertility. Over the next 3-4 months she took her diet and lifestyle changes to heart and put them into action. She was intentional about reducing her stress and making more time for rest. She changed her diet to include regular meals focusing on high quality proteins and lots of vegetables, and reduced her consumption of quick processed foods. She also started walking regularly. She got regular acupuncture treatments and consistently took the herbal medicine formula I had prescribed for her. Just a of couple weeks before she was scheduled to start IVF, this beautiful momma conceived naturally!!! The take away lesson we can learn from this case is that lab tests and measurements are merely a snapshot in time. High stress, poor diet and lifestyle will effect your fertility negatively and we can often see a poor lifestyle reflected in fertility blood work. Doctors often tell patients that there is nothing they can do to change these numbers and that their only option is synthetic hormones and harsh medications leaving the patient feeling disempowered and sometimes helpless. This is not the right message to pass on. One of the things I love the most about being an Acupuncturist is that I get to spend so much time with my patients. I do so much more than "stick needles in people." I take a significant amount of time getting to know my patients with a two hour initial visit. Based on the information I gather from the first visit I make my diagnosis, pick my herbal formula(s), and write up a report that explains the patient's diagnosis to them in detail so that they understand how I am seeing their pattern and what they can do to bring that picture into more balance. I outline a treatment plan and give diet and lifestyle suggestions to improve overall health and optimize fertility. This approach puts the power directly in the patient's hands and gives them the tools to manage a healthy lifestyle for years to come. Trust in your body's ability to heal. Diet and lifestyle have a major impact on your overall health and when adjusted appropriately the body can often heal itself. Proper diet and lifestyle lays the foundation for your health. You may still need some help to conceive but never think that those healthy changes you are making are not helping even if you don't see immediate results. When we add acupuncture and herbs to a healthy diet and lifestyle your treatments are more effective and last longer because they have than healthy foundation to hang on to. Your body loves being loved. In conclusion, I want to say that there are many factors that can lead to fertility struggles and not everyone is able to conceive naturally, even when they are leading a very healthy lifestyle. I work with both women, men and couples who are trying to conceive whether naturally or in combination with IUI or IVF and I always say, "There is no wrong way to get pregnant, there is no wrong way to get the baby out, and there is no wrong way to feed your baby." Each journey is unique and that is OKAY. The important thing is to learn to stay connected to your body's innate wisdom, your body's ability to heal, and the profound impact you can have on your own wellbeing when you have the right tools and are intentional about caring for yourself. Sending you love & strength, Meghan COVID-19 NOTICE:
The global outbreak of COVID-19 has stopped us in our tracks and forced a time of stillness. Many patients have had IVF/IUI cycles delayed or cancelled. Clinic visits for acupuncture and many other services have also been disrupted. My heart goes out to each and every one of you who is trying to conceive during this time. I want you to know that I am doing everything I can to continue supporting you through your journey. I AM OFFERING VIRTUAL VISITS FOR NEW AND ESTABLISHED PATIENTS: Initial Visit 1- We will discuss your detailed health and fertility history. I will take this information and make your diagnosis and write a report for you which we will go over during your second visit. Initial Visit 2- During this visit I will explain your diagnosis to you and give you tools to optimize your fertility. I will give you a list of food therapy suggestions based on your diagnosis. We will identify what foods encourage balance and what foods may be contributing to imbalance. I will teach you about the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle and give you lifestyle suggestions to support your fertility during each phase of your cycle. Herbal Medicine- I am a MN Board licensed herbalist and I can support you with herbal medicine to support your fertility. Herbal medicine is invaluable at this time because it is taken every day. For now herbal medicine will take the place of acupuncture treatments. As hard as this may be, we need to look at this time of stillness as a gift. This slower pace is so good for your health and wellbeing... and for your fertility. When the world is working at its usual pace, the hardest message to get across to my patients is the importance of slowing down. Our Mother Earth has asked us to stop now; she has given us the gift of stillness and quiet. This is time for our earth to heal. We can use this time to heal our bodies and spirits, and to nourish the soil before we plant the seed. Let's make the most of this time. I am here for you. 612-242-8041 Meghan Loginov Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist & Owner |
Articles by:Meghan E. Berg Archives
October 2024
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Mother Moon Acupuncture 4059 Chicago Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55407 T: 612-242-8041 E: [email protected] |
Hours Wednesday 3:30pm-8:00pm Thursday 12:30pm-8:00pm Friday 12:30am-8:00pm |