Chinese believe proper food intake not only supports the daily nutrient needs, but also cures or relieves health problems via their moderate therapeutic actions. Many food ingredients serve as herbs, for example, job tears, tangerine peel and ginger. They are used to make delicious dishes while at the same time exert medicinal properties. From this, eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can make pregnancy possible.

The way of selecting the right foods is based on syndrome differentiation, so that they fit into the individual's constitution, correspond to the pathological conditions and assist the existing remedy. TCM refers to this as "an application in accordance with the individual, locality, season and disease."

According to TCM theory, the blood and qi (vital energy) are the fundamental substances for normal menstruation; they all derive from essence. The kidneys store essence, thus fertility enhancement can start from the kidneys. The Chinese like to eat certain foods to boost the kidneys, such as black fungus, walnut, lotus seed, Euryale seed, Chinese chives, pond loaches, oysters, catfish, maw, sea cucumber, abalone, mutton, beef, venison, sparrows and animal kidneys. Besides these, certain other ingredients may be added into the dishes to ease the disorders associated with infertility such as:

Methods: Marinate the cordyceps with rice wine for two hours, and then brush and rinse to clean them; slice the abalone, mushroom and ham into small pieces. Bring the broth to a boil, place all the ingredients in the pot and add 500 ml water to boil again, simmer for approximately 30 minutes or until the ingredients are tender. Add seasonings as desired, simmer 20 minutes and serve hot for two.

Benefits: Cordyceps tonifies the lungs and kidneys; abalone replenishes the essence. The recipe is suitable for infertility accompanied with general weakness, poor appetite and shortness of breath. Individuals suffering from flu or other infections are not recommended to take this soup.

Methods: Soak the Cistanche and oyster fully with water; rinse and slice into strips. Slice the chicken and carrot into pieces. Put the Cistanche, oyster, chicken, carrot, wine and ginger into a stewpot, add water to cover all the ingredients, bring quickly to a boil first and then simmer for 50 minutes. Add seasonings as desired; simmer 20 minutes. Serve hot; this amount is good for four.

Benefits: Cistanche and oyster reinforce the kidneys and replenish the essence and blood. This recipe is for women whose uterus is under functioning, but not suitable when accompanied with digestive problems and hyperactivity of minister fire.

Methods: Slice the pork into strips; peel the celtuce and slice into strips; soak the black and white fungus with warm water for 30 minutes; rinse and slice into strips; the wolfberry should be rinsed too. Put the pork strips in a bowl, mix with starch and soya sauce, put aside and marinate for a few minutes. Preheat a pan; pour in the vegetable oil for stir-frying. When the oil is hot, add the ginger and green onion, stir-fry briefly until its flavor is released. Put in the pork; fry until the meat turns brown. Add in the wolfberry, celtuce, black and white fungus, fry for another 3 minutes; add in the sauce and cook for 2 minutes and serve. This amount is good for two.

Benefits: The wolfberry reinforces the liver and kidney functions, and replenishes the essence. The celtuce and fungi clear the toxins in the blood. This recipe is suitable for women who are under-functioning in the reproductive system; however, it is not advisable for individuals suffering from fever, diarrhea or digestive problems.

Methods: Cook all the ingredients by steaming method for about 30 minutes, and then put aside to let them cool down. Put the ingredients into a large vessel; pour in 500 ml of rice wine and 500 ml of liqueur; seal the cover properly. Place the vessel in a warm place (25°C). It will be ready to serve, after being soaked for three to five days. Take 25 ml every night before sleep.

Benefits: Alcohol preserves the potency of herbs in a convenient form and is a beneficial ingredient on its own, which makes it an excellent base for herbal tinctures. The above ingredients activate the blood and qi circulations, fortify the kidneys and regulate the menstrual period. It is suitable for infertility due to kidney deficiency.