Fertility

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

In men with low sperm counts, small studies (mostly uncontrolled) reported higher sperm concentration and motility after 90 days; NCCIH notes limited evidence for raised testosterone and sperm quality.

Balloon vine

Cardiospermum halicacabum

In a Sri Lankan rat study, an aqueous leaf extract for 30 days raised sperm count, motility and testosterone and improved pregnancy outcomes in mated females; no human data.

Chaste tree

Vitex agnus-castus

NCCIH finds not enough reliable evidence to know whether it helps infertility or sexual dysfunction, and notes it may be unsafe in pregnancy. Commission E's older monograph listed irregular menstruation among its indications.

Chinese dodder

Cuscuta chinensis

Used in TCM for male infertility (low sperm count and motility) and female infertility, and the most commonly used herb in Chinese prescriptions for female infertility. Support comes from animal studies on reproductive hormones and from meta-analyses of multi-herb formulas; a 2025 review calls for randomised trials of the seed alone.

Glossy privet

Ligustrum lucidum

Er Zhi Tian Gui, a formula built on Erzhi Pill, improved embryo quality in a randomised placebo-controlled trial in older women having IVF; the review notes all such studies come from one research team and use modified formulas.

Greater galangal

Alpinia galanga

In a randomised trial of 70 men with reduced semen quality, tablets combining galangal powder with pomegranate extract for 3 months increased motile sperm count by 62% vs 20% on placebo; the effect of galangal alone is unknown.

Horse chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum

NCCIH reports only small studies in male infertility linked to varicocele (swollen veins in the scrotum); not enough to draw conclusions.

Maca

Lepidium meyenii

Traditionally used for fertility since at least the 17th century. A 2022 meta-analysis of five RCTs found unclear effects on semen quality and no significant rise in sperm concentration.

Puncture vine

Tribulus terrestris

A 2019 systematic review of seven small studies in men with unexplained infertility found improved sperm count, motility or morphology in six; most lacked proper controls. WHO describes a small trial with only nine men on placebo.

Safed musli

Chlorophytum borivilianum

In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 30 healthy men aged 20–40, a water extract (500 mg twice daily for 12 weeks) significantly increased semen volume, sperm count, motility and serum testosterone compared with placebo. The trial was small and in men without diagnosed infertility.

Tongkat ali

Eurycoma longifolia

In an uncontrolled study cited by a 2016 review, 350 men given 200 mg of extract daily showed improved semen parameters over 9 months, with 11 spontaneous pregnancies among partners; controlled trials are lacking.

African entada

Entada africana

Stem bark and roots are used for female infertility.

African nutmeg

Pycnanthus angolensis

Forest-fringe communities in southwestern Ghana crush the stem bark or boil it as a decoction, taken by mouth for fertility and in pregnancy care. Female sterility is also among the traditional uses cited in reviews.

Banyan

Ficus benghalensis

The latex is used in Indian traditional medicine to promote conception. Not tested.

Bitter leaf

Gymnanthemum amygdalinum

The young leaves are used in folk medicine as a fertility aid for women with low fertility; no clinical data.

Boundary tree

Newbouldia laevis

Leaves are used for infertility (including male and female infertility) and childbirth in many African countries; a 2026 review of Benin surveys lists female infertility, aphrodisiac use and sexual infections. Supportive studies are limited to animals.

Deadly carrot

Thapsia garganica

Recorded, without detail, as a medieval traditional remedy for female infertility; no evidence supports this, and the plant is toxic.

Desert broomrape

Cistanche deserticola

The Shennong Bencao Jing records it as able to 'increase offspring', and it is used for infertility in Chinese medicine; there are no clinical fertility trials.

Donkey

Equus asinus

Modern marketing extends it to infertility, miscarriage, menstrual irregularity, ageing and libido; these uses are not supported by clinical trials.

Horny goat weed

Epimedium brevicornu

Used for infertility in Chinese medicine; not tested in good trials.

Mandrake

Mandragora officinarum

In Genesis 30, mandrakes (duda'im) appear in the story of Rachel's infertility; Theophrastus noted its reputation as an aphrodisiac, a use attached mainly to the fruits. No evidence of benefit.

Prekese

Tetrapleura tetraptera

In Nigeria prekese has a reputation for treating female infertility. No clinical studies were found.

Toothbrush tree

Salvadora persica

A root decoction is used for female infertility in eastern Tanzania (Chhabra 1991, cited in a 2021 review); untested.