Infertility has been steadily rising among men and women over the last few decades. As an Ayurvedic practitioner,  I work with clients dealing with infertility by applying diet and lifestyle practices along with herbal formulas, stress management tools, and Ayurvedic body techniques. Since ancient times, one such body technique, shirodhara, has been used with great success to address infertility problems. 

Shirodhara is a simple yet profound technique specifically designed to balance and stabilize the nervous system and the activities of the mind. In this application, an Ayurvedic practitioner streams dosha-balancing herbal oils over the middle of the client’s forehead, where the third eye chakra is located. Shirodhara is highly effective in normalizing sleep cycles, reducing stress, and managing infertility and is unique in its ability to calm the nerves while at the same time awakening the senses. 

Modern scientists now recognizes the relationship between what traditional Eastern philosophies call the “third eye” and the region deep inside the brain that houses the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the pineal gland. These three structures regulate production of most of the hormones in the body, including reproductive hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Secreted by the pituitary gland into the bloodstream, this hormone stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in women’s ovaries before the release of an egg at ovulation.Insufficient levels of FSH can result in reduced growth of ovarian follicles and interfere with the release of an egg, thus leading to infertility. In men, FSH is required for the proper development of the testes and for sperm production. 

Normal levels of FSH are needed for fertility in both men and women. When levels are either too high or too low, the chances of pregnancy decrease. Elevated FSH levels are a sign of malfunction in the ovary and testes and, in women, may indicate the onset of early menopause. Diminished FSH levels in men may indicate the failure of the testes to produce normal numbers of sperm. 

The application of the dosha-specific herbal oils on the focal point of the third eye helps ensure adequate levels of FSH and other reproductive hormones by optimizing communication between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the pineal gland, These endocrine glands not only secrete our reproductive hormones, but also govern the hormones that support our autonomic responses, including digestion, respiration, and elimination, and play an important role in our mood and emotional states. The use of shirodhara promotes harmony between our organ systems and hormones, thus supporting female and male fertility and overall wellness. 

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of Ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease.