Merging Naturopathic Medicine with Restorative Pharmacology: Harnessing Drug-Herb Interactions to Restore Fertility

Overview


The multifactorial nature of infertility is well-established. Immunological infertility is a prime example of a complex etiology of infertility. The mechanisms at play hinder optimal hormonal balance, contribute to progesterone resistance, and jeopardize full-term pregnancies. This lecture explores the safe and effective merging of Botanical and Allopathic Pharmacology to enhance clinical outcomes. They work synergistically to address obstacles to cure by:

  • Normalizing the immune response
  • Reducing gynecological inflammation
  • Restoring fertility in your patients

The Pharmaceutical Medications discussed include:

  • Bio-identical progesterone, HCG, LDN, and Tumour Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
  • Bio-identical progesterone and HCG are used to overcome progesterone deficiency, support the endometrium, improve implantation, and support a full-term pregnancy
  • LDN and TNFIs help modulate the immune system

Relevant Pharmacological Modes of Action in the literature include:

  • Modulating Tumour Necrosis Factor, IL-6, and IL-1

Applicable natural therapeutics in the literature include:

  • Baical Skullcap, Turmeric, Chaste Tree, Ginger, Panax Ginseng, Resveratrol, Berberine, and Pycnogenol

Cases will be discussed and accompanied by Menstrual Cycle Charts to present a visual representation of changes seen before and after treatment.

Presented by: Nora Pope, FCP & Jessica Liu, ND. Founders, FertilityCE. Toronto, ON, Canada.


Dr. Jessica Liu, ND, in naturopathic practice since 2006, is the clinical director at Lakeside Natural Health Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, and is the creator of the Creating Vibrant Fertility Patient Program. She is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and McMaster University. She has advanced training in Bio-identical Hormone Therapy and Pharmacology.

Dr. Liu is also a regular speaker at the Canadian Fertility Show, known for her special interest in unexplained infertility, fertility stress and PTSD.

Nora Pope, FCP, has been creating, producing, and hosting Continuing Medical Education programs since 2003. She is a Creighton Model FertilityCare Practitioner and practiced naturopathic medicine from 2002-2019. She is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and McGill University. She completed advanced training in NaProTechnology as a Medical Consultant Intern and has published articles on Cycle Charting in NDNR and Midwifery Today.

In 2020, Nora and Jessica co-founded Fertility Continuing Education, an online learning platform for healthcare professionals seeking further training in cycle charting and integrative restorative fertility.

References


  1. Aslan R, Dönmez MI, Yilmaz MI, et al. Berberine ameliorates experimental varicocele-induced damages at testis and sperm levels; evidences for oxidative stress and inflammation. Andrologia. 2019;51(2):e13179. doi: 10.1111/and.13179
  2. Chen J, Tian L, Xu Y, et al. Baicalin and the liver-gut system: pharmacological bases explaining its therapeutic effects as a TNF blocker in ulcerative colitis and its regulation of intestinal flora by promoting the production of SCFA. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2021;112033. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112033
  3. Stanislavov R, Nikolova V. Improvement of seminal quality in men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia syndrome following supplementation with L-arginine and Pycnogenol. Int J Impot Res. 2015;27(6):379-384. doi: 10.1038/ijir.2015.19
  4. Liu Y, Huang W, Cai Y, et al. Maternal curcumin supplementation ameliorates placental function and fetal growth in mice with intrauterine growth retardation. J Cell Physiol. 2020;235(1):393-407. doi: 10.1002/jcp.29755
  5. Yang Y, Duan Y, Zhang J, et al. Resveratrol promotes proliferation, antioxidant properties, and progesterone production in Yak (Bos grunniens) granulosa cells. Theriogenology. 2023;207:1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.03.005
  6. Ferro W, Miyamoto T, Al-Mamun S, et al. Proteolysis in reproduction: lessons from gene-modified organism studies. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021;9:663186. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.663186
  7. Lau FC, Bagchi M, Sen C, Bagchi D. Pycnogenol supplementation promotes lipolysis via activation of cAMP-dependent PKA in ob/ob mice and primary-cultured adipocytes. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2015;100:27-34. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2015.09.006
  8. Srinivasan V, Baddam SR, Rehaman S, et al. Resveratrol controls Escherichia coli growth by inhibiting the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2019;53(3):271-278. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2018.12.017
  9. Kuo SC, Tsai SH, Wang JJ, et al. Synergistic effects of baicalein with ciprofloxacin against NorA over-expressed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and inhibiting the NorA efflux pump in vitro. J Appl Microbiol. 2011;112(1):72-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04905.x
  10. Zhang R, Zheng Y, Xing B, et al. Tacrolimus and herbs interactions: a review – Tacrolimus bioavailability was increased when co-administered with berberine, turmeric, and ginger in human and/or animal models by inhibition effect on CYP450 system and/or P-gp efflux pump. Sci Rep. 2021;11:13587. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-97861-7
  11. Goyal M, Perumal D, Acharya LD, Padma S. Vitex agnus-castus increases plasma progesterone and total estrogens and reduces luteinizing and plasma prolactin hormones. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008;2008:832828. doi: 10.1155/2008/832828