The Herbal Fertility Handbook: Natural Strategies to Increase Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

by Liane Moccia RH (AHG)

Overview

A comprehensive guide for how to use herbs, natural supplements, and other holistic methods to optimize fertility and improve your chances of conceiving.

The Herbal Fertility Handbook provides clear, evidence-based strategies to support egg and sperm quality, and overall fertility to help you improve your chances of getting pregnant. Written in a gender-inclusive style and inspired by her own struggle with fertility issues, author Liane Moccia offers strategies based on proper nutrition, fertility-boosting herbs and supplements, analyzing environmental exposures, and improving lifestyle factors such as sleep, stress, and movement.

Whether someone is in the planning stage or has been trying for a few months or for several years, this book presents a clear roadmap, guiding you to take an active role in optimizing your fertility.

This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635868746
Publisher:	Storey Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	09/23/2025
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208

About the Author

Liane Moccia, RH(AHG), is a clinical herbalist specializing in fertility and preconception planning, supporting individuals and couples in her private practice since 2017. Moccia is a registered professional herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, a long-time volunteer as an infertility peer support leader for AllPaths Family Building, an Education Advisor for Wintergreen Botanicals’ herbal training programs, and past contributing author and educator for The Herbal Academy. You can find her online at lianemoccia.com. 

Table of Contents

Introduction
● Preconception Time Matters: The Importance Of A Holistic Fertility Plan
● My Background And Personal Struggle With Infertility
● How To Navigate This Book And Incorporate Suggestions

Chapter 1: Why The Egg Factor Matters
● Egg Development and Ovulation
● Menstrual Cycle 101: How Ovulation, Fertilization, And Implantation Really Works
● Factors That Influence Egg Quality
● Decoding Fertility Tests: Egg Factor Blood Work
● Client Stories: Meet Emily

Chapter 2: Why The Sperm Factor Matters: Time To Take The Burden Solely Off The Egg
● Sperm-Related Infertility Is More Common Than You Think
● Sperm Production And Anatomy
● Conception 101: Survival Of The Fittest
● What Makes Your Swimmers Swim
● Global Trends In Sperm Parameters
● Sperm Health Around The World: Are We Facing A Global Decline?
● Decoding The Semen Analysis: How Many Swimmers Are There, How Well Do They
Swim, And What Do They Look Like?
● Is ‘Normal’ Good Enough? Normal Versus Optimal Sperm Parameters
● When To Request Semen Testing
● Client Stories: Meet Jack

Chapter 3: Fueling Fertility With Nutrition And Supplements
● Fueling Fertility: How A Balanced Diet Sets The Stage For Egg and Sperm Health
● Beyond Basic Nutrition: The Power Of Supplements For Optimal Egg and Sperm Health
○ Multivitamins
○ Antioxidants
○ Omega 3 Fatty Acids
○ CoQ10
○ Vitamin D
● Fertility Foes: Foods And Drinks To Avoid (Or Use In Moderation)
○ Trans Fats
○ Artificial Sweeteners
○ Coffee And Alcohol
● Client Story: How Jack Fueled His Fertility
● Client Story: How Emily Streamlined Her Supplements

Chapter 4: Herbal Allies: Herbs That Support Fertility
● History Of Herbal Medicine Meets Modern-Day Science
● Meet The Herbs: Traditional Use, Scientific Evidence, Dosage Guidelines And Recipes
○ Green Tea
○ Turmeric
○ Ashwagandha
○ Astragalus
○ Maca
○ Ginger
○ Nettle
○ Oat Straw
○ Spice It Up With The Power Of Herbs
● Client Story: Jack’s Herbal Allies
● Client Story: Emily’s Herbal Allies

Chapter 5: The Impact Of Sleep, Stress, Movement, And Heat
● The Sleep-Fertility Connection: How Quality Sleep Can Boost Your Chances Of
Conception
○ Herbs to Support Sleep
● Finding Calm In Chaos: The Surprising Connection Between Stress And Fertility
○ Herbs to Support Stress
● Exercise: Strong Body, Strong Swimmers
● Hot Topic: How Heat Exposure Affects Sperm Health
● Client Story: How Jack Slept And Sweat His Way To Less Stress
● Client Story: How Emilly Nurtured Her Fertility Through Movement

Chapter 6: Common Conditions Affecting Fertility: How To Support and When To Seek Medical
Advice
● Irregular Menstrual Cycles
○ Hypothalamic amenorrhea
○ PCOS
● Short Menstrual Cycles
○ Luteal Phase Deficiency
● Thyroid imbalance
○ Hashimoto's Disease or hypothyroidism
○ Graves Disease or hyperthyroidism
● Painful or Heavy Periods
○ Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
○ Endometriosis
● Abnormalities of the Testis
○ Low or No Sperm Count
○ Varicoceles

Chapter 7: From Pesticides To Plastics: How Environmental Exposures Can Sabotage Fertility
● Smoking And Recreational Drugs: What You May Not Know
● Pesticides And Poor Sperm Health: The Link And How To Reduce Your Exposure
● Breaking Down Bisphenol A: The Science Behind How This Chemical Can Harm Fertility
and Pregnancy How To Avoid
● Plastics: Understanding The Risks And How To Avoid
● Clearing The Waters: The Surprising Contaminants In Drinking Water That Can Fertility
● Cell Phones, Wi-Fi, And Electromagnetic Radiation's Impact On Egg and Sperm Health
● Herbs to Help Support Gentle Detoxification and Elimination of Environmental Exposures
● Client Story: How Jack Incorporated Simple Changes To Decrease Environmental
Exposures
● Client Story: How Emily Reduced Her Exposure and Gently Supported Elimination of
Environmental Chemicals

Chapter 8: Herbal Support During Assisted Reproductive Technologies
● Herbal Support During Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
● Herbal Support During In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)
● Holistic Strategies to Support the Two-Week Wait
● How to Support Your Body After An Unsuccessful IVF Cycle

Chapter 9: Herbal Safety and Pregnancy
● When To Stop Herbs from the Preconception Period
● Herbs That Are Safe in Pregnancy

Chapter 10: Conclusion: It Takes Two To Tango - The Egg and Sperm Factors Matter

Resources
Glossary
References

WRITING SAMPLES
Please find below a summary of my past writing, with links provided where publicly available or accessible for download in pdf via this Dropbox link when not publicly accessible:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/oihfaulexqx0wmli73213/h?dl=0&rlkey=l7cf5ucqhtql7aouqb5frkqli
● The Herbal Academy (herbal certification course textbook): ○ Fertility Chapter: ~15,000 words plus 20 pages of references (Dropbox)
○ Sexual and Reproductive Health Chapter: ~5,300 words plus 10 pages of references (excerpt on testicular health in Dropbox) ● The Herbal Academy (membership site “The Herbarium”): ○ 4-Part Fertility Intensive: each lesson is about 4,000 words plus an extensive reference list and includes videos of me presenting each lesson: ■ Part 1: A Holistic Approach to Fertility: An Introduction to Nutrition, Supplements, Herbs, and Lifestyle Considerations (Dropbox)
■ Part 2: Egg Quality, Hormone Balance & Common Conditions Affecting Fertility (Dropbox)
■ Part 3: How to Naturally Support Sperm Health (Dropbox)
■ Part 4: Stress and Fertility (Dropbox) ○ Article: Herbal Teas to Support Fertility, Pregnancy, and Postpartum: https://theherbalacademy.com/herbal-tea-recipes/?fbclid=PAAab1BRcQ6Zqj1Z3f BwSxhb_C8UgypYh0UZdIjwYdjOHC9IpJmP62oN7M7w4 ● Guest Post on Wintergreen Botanicals Blog: The Surprising Contaminants In Tap Water And What You Can Do: https://wintergreenbotanicals.com/2021/02/08/water/
● Guest Posts on RESOLVE New England blog: ○ How to Naturally Boost Sperm Health: https://resolvenewengland.org/how-to-naturally-boost-sperm-health/
○ How to Naturally Boost Your Reproductive Health: https://resolvenewengland.org/how-to-naturally-boost-your-reproductive-health/
○ VIDEO Presentation from RNE Annual Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMuJAR_5Fgs ● Guest Post on Circle and Bloom: The 5 Most Common Mistakes When Choosing A Prenatal Multivitamin (Coming in May 2023)
● Guest Post on Mind Body Green ○ How Perfume Messes With Your Hormones (Even If You Don't Wear It): https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-perfume-can-mess-with-your-hormones ● Selection of articles published on my blog: www.lianesherbalwellness.com/blog ○ What Every Couple Needs to Know About Sperm: https://www.lianesherbalwellness.com/what-every-couple-needs-to-know-about-sperm/ ○ Anti-Mulerian Hormone (AMH): What this common fertility test really means (and what it does not): https://www.lianesherbalwellness.com/anti-mulerian-hormone-amh-what this-com mon-fertility-test-really-means/
○ Herbs for a Better Night’s Sleep: https://www.lianesherbalwellness.com/herbs-for-a-better-nights-sleep/
 

Editorial Reviews

"Sifting through the internet for accurate information regarding complementary fertility strategies is tough. Liane does a wonderful job presenting helpful information for patients looking for more than a traditional western medicine approach."—Pietro Bortoletto, MD, MSc, Reproductive Medicine Specialist, Director of Reproductive Surgery, and Co-Director of Oncofertility Program at Boston IVF

“One of the more difficult decisions to make in these challenging times is whether or not to have a family.  Once a couple decides they want to have a child, the inability to conceive is often a confusing, frustrating, expensive and heartbreaking experience. Advice to remedy this problem whether from the internet, friends or medical professionals is often contradictory, confusing, incorrect or daunting. In Liane Moccia’s The Herbal Fertility Handbook, readers will find well researched, practical information on how to improve your health, your fertility (for her and him), ways to reduce your stress levels and hopefully have the family your heart desires.”—David Winston, RH(AHG), DSc (hon.), author of the best selling book Adaptogens, Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief

“I recommend this essential resource to anyone who wants to utilize
all options to support fertility and optimize their chances of a
successful pregnancy. I wish I’d had it during my own struggles
with infertility.”—Bonnie Mathews, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UMass Chan Medical School

“Provides readers with information about their fertility in a straightforward
and easy to understand way, in addition to offering tools
to reestablish a sense of control and agency in their body during a
process that can often feel overwhelming and at times, out of reach.”—Alicia M. Abdella, MSW, LICSW, Founder and Clinical Director, On The Path Counseling & Consultation

“A valuable resource for anyone who is trying to conceive, providing not just sound, actionable advice, but a deeper understanding of, and a sense of control over, the process.”—Emily Lindblad, AllPaths Family Building

“A must-read for anyone considering conceiving. You’ll feel more empowered, connected with your body, and joyfully supported in your conception journey.”—Maria Noel Groves, RH(AHG), Clinical Herbalist & author of Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self Care

“ A clear and practical resource.”—Camille Freeman, DCN, herbalist, nutritionist, and educator, Owner, Bloom and Grow Nutrition

“With passion and purpose, Liane Moccia, RH(AHG) brings her wealth of knowledge, backed by research and first-hand experience, into this guide to holistic fertility support.”—Jane Metzger & Amber Meyers, Herbal Academy Co-Directors

“Thoughtful, practical advice. It’s a space for everyone, no matter the obstacles.”—Bevin Clare, herbalist, nutritionist, Professor and Program Director of the Master’s of Science in Clinical Herbal Medicine at the Maryland University of Integrative Health, and author of Spice Apothecary

“The Herbal Fertility Handbook is a beautifully grounded guide for anyone looking to support their fertility naturally. With practical tips and a gentle, holistic approach, it feels like sitting down with a knowledgeable friend who truly understands the journey.”—Molly Hill, Founder of Maison Pur, A Natural Living & Organic Beauty Blog and Podcast

From the Publisher