Yoruba Herbs for Fertility: Top 5 Options

Local medicine is largely recognized as an effective means to treat infertility in both women and men. The Yorubas have many herbs and vegetables that serve as medicine to treat the conditions associated with infertility. Some of these plants include:

  • Ficus exasperate known as Eepin in the Yoruba language
  •  Newboldia laevis known as akoko tree in Yoruba
  • Chenopodium ambrosioides known as Arunpale in Yoruba
  • Indian heliotrope known as Agogo Igun or Ogbe Akuko in the Yoruba language
  • Waterleaf known as Amunututu in the Yoruba language.
  • Acreage paniculatum known as the Nigerian powder-flask fruit and others such as Black pepper, Aligator pepper.

This article discusses Yoruba herbs and plants used to treat infertility and the various conditions that result in infertility.

Yoruba Herbs for Fertility

There are a number of reasons for infertility, one of such is miscarriages which could be as a result of anti-fertility worms known in Yoruba as (aran aboyunje), another condition known as ‘oru inu’ which is known to kill sperm when an embryo is implanted. Yoruba herbs used to treat such conditions as worm infestation and internal womb hotness include Ficus Exerspirata, Amunututu known as Indian spinach, Epaikun known as curculigo pilosa, Jokoje known as Cissampelos owariensis and Abere known as picrima nitida

Yoruba Herbs for Fertility

  • Ficus Exersperata

One of the most effective herbs to boost fertility is Ficus Exersperata. This is a small tree or shrub that bears figs. The leaves appear in pairs. It is popularly known as sand paper tree in Nigeria. The local names are Kawusa in Nupe language, Ameme in Edo language, Eepin in Yoruba language, Anwerenwa in Igbo language.

In addition to this, one can add Indian spinach, Curculigo pilosa, known as Epakun in Yoruba language which is also a useful herb against this problem.

  • Citrullus lanatus

This is a scientific name for the seed in melon, popularly known as Egusi. Yoruba doctors make use of different herbs such as Calliandra Portoricensis Catamenia or Calliandra Portoricensis to provide high-quality treatment for internal heat.

 Cassia Alata known in Yoruba language as Asuwon Oyinbo and Zee mays known as Agbado

These are used as a treatment for abundant or trifling discharges.

  • Zingiber officanale- Ginger and Epin (Ficus Exersperata)

These are an effective treatment for strong discharge as they have the proper characteristics for the treatment of this disease.

  • PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome): 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome comes with many symptoms and has various causes. However, it is still a hormonal condition. Two of the Yoruba herbs recommended include Calliandra portoricensis known as Tude and Aristolochia repens known as Akoigun,

There are many conditions that surround the inability of a woman to birth a child. These irregularities also involve menstruation. Many of these conditions are not properly recognized by orthodox medicine.

These conditions and appropriate herbs to be used are listed below:

  • Irregular menstruation

Traditional practitioners of Yoruba Medicine use herbs such as Citrulus lonatis known as Bara, caltiandra portoricensis known as Egbo Tude , Labelabe, etc. as treatment for this condition.

  • Watery or Too Light menstrual Flow

Medicine practitioners make use of zingiber known as Atale  officanale), Epin (ficus exasparata) are used.

  • Heavy Menstrual Flow

Heavy menstrual flow could also result in much blood clot during menses. It is reported that excess clotted blood in menstruation is a sign of female reproductive disorder. It is believed that a woman with good reproductive health will have clean blood coming out in liquid form. While clotted blood does come out, it should not become usual and if so should be properly treated. Women who have such experiences can use Sorhum bicolour known as karandafi or Citrus arantifoli known as Lime.

Herbs used for the treatment of this condition include Cassia alata known as Asunwon Oyinbo, Zee mays known as Agbado. Other herbs that are made use of in treating menstrual issues include the African Cucumber or Momordica charantia known as Bitter Melon.

  • Fibroids

Fibroids are treated with the use of Cassia alata known as Asunwon Oyinbo.

  • Sperm leakage/Involuntary emission of sperm (Eda)

There is a plant known as fertility Plant or Newbouldia laevis (Indian Cork Tree). The native names are Akoko in Yoruba, Aduruku in Hausa and Ogilisi/Ogirisi in Igbo language.

This plant is a popular and potent in treating female reproductive fertility issues and conditions related to menstrual disorders, hormonal imbalance, uterine tumours, uterine weakness, miscarriages, endometriosis, etc.

  • Usage

Put 1 teaspoon of the dried form and powdered bark or root of this herb in a cup of water and allow it to boil. Drink 1 cup twice daily.

  • Comelina diffusa known as Day flower, or Small Blue Flower

Yoruba: Itopere or Godogbo-Odo

Igbo: Obogi

Hausa: Balasa

This herb is used in treating female infertility and promotes the chance of pregnancy

  • Indian Kamila (Mallotus oppositifolius)

The names of this herb in the Yoruba language are Oju-ejaJejaIya-Dudu or Orokoro

Igbo: Kpokokwa

Hausa: K’afar Mutuwa

This herb is used to promote chances of conception in women.

  • Boerhavia Diffusa known as Hogweed

Yoruba: Etiponla

Igbo: Azeigwe

Hausa: Babba-Juju

This herb is used to treat female infertility and menstrual pain. Its main function is to normalize hormones in the body. The leaf is best eaten as a vegetable soup. One can also pound the leaves with pepper (Capsicum annuum), add salt and take it.

  • Cleome Viscose also known as Consumption Weed

This is used to treat many conditions and issues related to female infertility. It is called Ekuya in Yoruba.

  • Cocos nucifera known as Coconut in English

Yoruba: Agbon

Igbo: Kwakwar

Hausa: Ake Babe

The root of this plant is used to treat uterine diseases.

  • Triumfetta rhomoboidea known as Chinese bar

Ako Bolobolo in Yoruba

Yanka-Dafi in Hausa

Obo in Igbo.

This herb is often used among Esan people based in the South-South region of Nigeria. It is used to induce fertility and make the womb receptive for the implantation and growth of foetus.

 

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