Unable to conceive even after repeated attempts can be heart-wrenching. Infertility problems in both males and females have been on an unbelievable rise. In females, infertility often results from hormonal imbalance brought about by health conditions such as PCOS, Endometriosis, Hyperandrogenism. Incidences of infertility are also relatively higher in individuals (both males and females) suffering from diabetes, obesity, thyroid problems, stress, anxiety, and related problems. In Kashmir every third married couple is facing difficulty in conceiving.
Unani approach to deal with Infertility: The lifestyle habits (such as sleeping pattern, substance abuse, and sedentary life sans any exercise or physical activities) and dietary practices contribute immensely towards the reproductive health of an individual. Leading an unhealthy or sedentary lifestyle or eating unhealthy foods often results in an accelerated built up of toxins in the body which disrupts the balance between the four humors (Dum or blood, Sauda or black bile, Balgham or Phlegm, Safra or yellow bile).
More than often, this disruption affects the reproductive health of an individual making it difficult for a woman to conceive. Used since ancient times in India (as early as the 11th century), Unani has truly been a savior for millions of couples who had given up all hopes of embracing parenthood naturally and safely without any complications or side effects (as often seen in the case of conventional treatment).Ilaj Bil Ghiza (Dietotherapy): Time and again, Unani has stressed the importance of healthy and nutritious eating in dealing with infertility. The food that one eats can play a pivotal role in improving the quantity as well as the quality of the sperms and the eggs. With healthy eating, one also needs to lead a more relaxed and active life. Meditation, mild to moderate exercise and physical activities also work wonders to restore the hormonal balance. In general, walnuts, green leafy vegetables, salmon, oysters, raspberries, blueberries, eggs, bread (whole grain), flax seeds are known to improve the condition of infertility in both the sexes. For men, citrus fruits, garlic, pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, carrots, berries, red peppers contribute significantly to deal with infertility and related problems. For women, the fertility boosting food options include eggs, milk, yam, nuts, and lean meat and poultry. One is also expected to avoid or reduce the intake of coffee, alcohol, processed foods, saturated and trans fats, simple carbohydrates, soy products, tofu, fish with a high mercury content (King Mackerel, swordfish, shark, to name a few). Ilaj Bil Dawa or Pharmacotherapy: The use of Unani medicines (comprising of herbal concoctions and formulations) have been path breaking in dealing with a myriad of fertility problems including low libido, sperm and egg mortality and morphology, enhancing the sperm count. Some of the herbs often used in treating infertility include Withania somnifera, Nigella sativa, Sida cordifolia, Asparagus adscendens, Tribulus terrestris. Ilaj Bil Tadbeer or Regimental Therapy: Elevated levels of toxins in the body can immensely interfere with the fertility in both men and women. Ilaj Bil Tadbeer is a detoxification process that goes a long way to cleanse the body of the harmful toxins.
(The author is a Medical Officer (Unani) at AYUSH Unit District Hospital Pulwama. Views are his own, [email protected])
