Supporting Fertility: Diet, Lifestyle and Emotional Wellbeing from a TCM Perspective
Burwood Acupuncture Fertility Support Blog Series — Part 3
Introduction
In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we explored how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views fertility and how acupuncture and herbal medicine can support reproductive health.
In this post, we focus on diet, lifestyle, emotional wellbeing, and supportive therapies such as moxibustion to help optimise fertility outcomes.
These are practical, complementary strategies that support your treatment plan at Burwood Acupuncture. They are not substitutes for individual professional assessment and tailored TCM treatment.
1. Nutrition and Dietary Therapy for Fertility
Why Diet Matters in TCM Fertility Support
In TCM, nourishing the body’s vital substances (Essence/Jing, Qi and Blood) begins with what we eat. Food is transformed into Qi and Blood, which support reproductive health.
Poor diet, excessive raw or cold foods, or damp-forming foods can impair Spleen function and block fertility.
Key Dietary Principles
Eat mostly warm, cooked foods. Avoid excessive cold or raw meals, which can introduce internal "cold" and reduce circulation to the uterus and ovaries.
Support Spleen and Kidney function. Choose foods such as black sesame seeds, goji berries, walnuts, squashes, beans, and warming spices like ginger and cinnamon.
Reduce damp-forming foods. Limit greasy, sugary, or processed foods to keep the body light and Qi flowing.
Eat for the season. Christchurch’s cooler climate calls for warm meals, adequate hydration, and avoiding cold exposure, especially when trying to conceive.
Fertility-Friendly Meal Ideas
Breakfast: Warm millet or quinoa porridge with goji berries and black sesame seeds
Lunch: Steamed vegetables with beans and lean protein, served warm
Dinner: Dinner: Ginger and garlic stir-fried chicken with seasonal root vegetables and brown rice.
Snacks: Roasted chestnuts or warm herbal tea
Avoid: Excessive salads in winter, iced/chilled drinks - especially alongside meals, and fried or heavy foods
Research and Evidence
A meta-analysis of whole-systems TCM fertility support (diet, lifestyle, acupuncture, herbs, and moxibustion) found positive effects when integrated into fertility care (Song et al., 2023).
2. Lifestyle and Emotional Wellbeing for Fertility
Sleep, Stress, and Balance
Emotional and physical overexertion can disturb Qi and Blood flow.
Chronic stress can cause Liver Qi stagnation, affecting ovulation and uterine circulation.
Overwork and lack of rest deplete Kidney Essence and Qi, lowering reproductive potential.
Tips for Balance:
Aim for 7–8 hours of restful sleep.
Prioritise gentle exercise such as walking, tai chi, or qi gong.
Incorporate mindfulness, yoga, or time outdoors to reduce stress.
Emotional Health and Fertility
Emotions influence organ systems in TCM. For example, worry affects the Spleen and anger impacts the Liver.
Supportive practices:
Try mindful breathing or “Bao Mai” visualisations to connect Heart, Kidneys, and Uterus.
Make time for partner connection and emotional intimacy.
Seek counselling or support networks if fertility stress feels overwhelming. Emotional harmony supports hormonal balance and reproductive health.
3. Supportive Therapies: Moxibustion, Movement and Environment
Moxibustion and Thermal Support
Moxibustion (burning mugwort near acupuncture points) helps warm the channels, support Yang, move Qi and Blood, and promote uterine receptivity. Research supports its use in fertility treatment. Herb-partitioned moxibustion on the navel improved outcomes for frozen embryo transfer patients (Xia et al., 2022). Acupuncture combined with moxibustion also improved ovulation and pregnancy rates in PCOS patients (Yang et al., 2023).
At Burwood Acupuncture, moxibustion may be used alongside acupuncture, especially for cases of Kidney Yang deficiency or a cold uterus.
Movement and Circulation
Engage in light exercise such as walking or yoga to promote circulation without exhausting energy reserves.
Avoid high-impact workouts that may deplete Qi and Blood.
Keep feet and lower limbs warm, as the Kidney meridian begins on the soles.
Environmental and Seasonal Care
In cooler months, wear warm clothing, avoid cold drafts, and limit cold beverages.
Encourage healthy circulation by avoiding prolonged standing or sitting.
Support the Spleen through balanced nutrition to prevent dampness buildup.
4. Creating Your Fertility Support Routine
A Balanced Daily Framework
Diet: Warm, nourishing meals that support Kidney and Spleen health.
Movement: Gentle, regular activity balanced with rest.
Emotional Care: Practice mindfulness, meditation, and partner connection.
Therapies: Continue acupuncture and herbal medicine, with moxibustion as indicated.
Lifestyle: Maintain good sleep hygiene, limit stimulants, and avoid late-night eating.
Why It Works in TCM
Warm foods and good circulation nourish Qi, Blood, and Kidney Essence.
Emotional harmony reduces Liver Qi stagnation.
Moxibustion and movement enhance uterine blood flow and endometrial receptivity.
Addressing lifestyle and emotional roots promotes holistic reproductive health.
Conclusion
Fertility care in TCM is about balance, warmth, and harmony. At Burwood Acupuncture in Christchurch, we combine acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and personalised lifestyle advice to help you create the best possible foundation for conception.
Next in the Series:
Stay tuned for Part 4, where we explore male fertility from a TCM perspective, including how diet, lifestyle, and acupuncture support reproductive health for men.
To begin your TCM fertility journey, contact us for a free 15-minute consultation.
References
Natural Harmony NZ. (2016). How acupuncture improves women’s health and helps fertility. https://naturalharmony.co.nz/how-acupuncture-helps-women-fertility-2
Song, J. Y., et al. (2023). Impact of whole-systems TCM therapies on IVF reproductive outcomes. Integrative Medicine Research, 12(2), 100976. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876382023000227?
The Dao Health. (2024). 5 ways to support your fertility with Traditional Chinese Medicine. https://thedaohealth.com.au/5-ways-to-support-your-fertility-with-traditional-chinese-medicine/
Xia, Q., et al. (2022). Effectiveness of herb-partitioned moxibustion on the navel for pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent implantation failure undergoing IVF/ET: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 23(1), 512. https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-022-06156-5?
Yang, L., et al. (2023). Meta-analysis of ovulation induction effect and pregnancy outcome of acupuncture and moxibustion in PCOS patients. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 1261016. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1261016/full?
