Taking the time to nourish and support your reproductive system is the key to living a life of ease, grace, and of overall health and radiance.
Supporting your reproduction in any stage of life not only balances your hormones, but helps combat stress (and stress aging hormones), heals and restores adrenal fatigue, increases strength and stamina, boosts mood, creates natural luster and glow in the skin, and opens us up to deeper love for self and others.
One of the best ways to support our reproduction is through the foods we eat. When we eat foods to support these tissues, a subtle energy of Kapha, known as Ojas, is created. Ojas is the container that holds abundant energy and gives us an overall sense of satisfaction with life. It is the essence that gives strong immunity, a youthful appearance, it promotes vitality and enhances longevity.
In Sanskrit, the reproductive tissues are known as Artava (ovum) and Shukra (sperm). The Artava and Shukra (reproductive tissues) are mainly comprised of water, earth, and fire elements. These reproductive tissues are directly nourished by sweet and salty tastes along with sticky, heavy, warm and oily qualities.
Here are the top 5 best foods to support and nourish your reproductive tissues:
Milk
Milk that is obtained through Ahimsa (non violence) and preferably non pasteurized, is considered Sattvic and nourishes all the tissues in the body. Its natural taste (rasa) is sweet and is therefor considered anabolic (building). It promotes Ojas which helps boosts immunity and vitality, and increases beauty overall happiness. Milk, when consumed appropriately, balances all the dosha types (especially Vata and Pitta) and is best consumed warm with a pinch of cardamom, turmeric, or saffron.
Almonds
Almonds are sweet in taste (rasa) and have a warming quality that helps pacify Vata Dosha. This nut also increase the Ojas in the body and is an amazing snack for supporting fertility and the female reproductive organs (Artava). It is best to consume almonds that have been soaked in water (about 30 minutes) and with their skin discarded.
Figs & Dates
Figs are an incredible tonic to help increase energy and overall vitality. These fruits are rich in Ojas and naturally sweet (anabolic). They are especially beneficial for rejuvenation after a hard labor or child birth. It is best to have them fresh for Vata and Pitta types, Dried figs can be good in moderation for Kapha. Dried fruits should always be soaked first before eating if you are predominately Vata.
Dates are Ojas increasing and contain high amounts of fiber, antioxidants, and iron, they also help restore the natural flow of pranic energy and encourage the proper downward flow of Vata, Apana Vayu.
*Apana Vayu controls all downward flows of the body- menstruation, elimination, urination, conception, child brith.
Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are possibly one of the most nourishing foods for reproductive health and considered one of the ultimate reproductive foods in Ayurveda. They are loaded with zinc, selenium, copper, iron, and vitamin B6. They also support healthy hormonal regulation, especially when consumed during the luteal and menstrual phases of your cycle. Sesame seeds enhance overall egg and sperm quality (so great for men as well). They contain lignin, a natural source of phytoestrogens.
Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate helps maintain healthy levels of Estrogen as they contain small amounts of this hormone and help balance sugar levels (a main cause of many menstrual issues). Pomegranate is sweet and slightly astringent which is wonderful for Pitta and is great for women during Menopause. Pomegranate juice is considered an aphrodisiac in Ayurveda and also helps to nourish the Rasa Dhatu (plasma) which reflects in healthy by products of Rasa which include menstrual flow and breast milk.