References

1. Astragalus — traditional TCM use / immune-modulation reviews. Shahrajabian et al., "A review of Astragalus species as foodstuffs, dietary supplements, and a traditional Chinese medicine," Applied Ecology and Environmental Research (peer-reviewed journal). Direct human reproductive-health trials are limited; framed here as traditional use, not a proven clinical effect.
2. Shiitake — B vitamins, antioxidants, inflammation. "Therapeutic values and nutraceutical properties of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes): A review," ScienceDirect/Trends in Food Science; "Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Shiitake Mushrooms," PMC11355609 (peer-reviewed).
3. Vitamin D — ovarian reserve and egg maturation. Vitamin D in Reproductive Health Disorders: A Narrative Review, PMC11899835 (peer-reviewed), discussing Rudick et al. 2012 on vitamin D and mature-oocyte yield in ART cycles.
4. Zinc — oocyte meiosis and maturation mechanism. Kim et al., "A Zinc-Dependent Mechanism Regulates Meiotic Progression in Mammalian Oocytes," PMC3338659 (peer-reviewed); "The Implications of Insufficient Zinc on the Generation of Oxidative Stress Leading to Decreased Oocyte Quality," Reproductive Sciences, PMC11047769.
5. Preconception diet patterns — clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. "Assessing the influence of preconception diet on female fertility: a systematic scoping review of observational studies," Human Reproduction Update (Oxford Academic), PMC10663051 (peer-reviewed).
6. Zinc and oocyte maturation mechanism. Same as [4]: Kim et al., PMC3338659, and PMC11047769 (peer-reviewed).
7. Selenium — follicular fluid antioxidant activity and ovarian function. "Selenium, Selenoproteins, and Female Reproduction: A Review," PMC6321086; "Nutritional Interventions for Enhancing Female Fertility," PMC12343174 (both peer-reviewed).
8. Choline — egg quality and follicular development. "Choline-Mediated Regulation of Follicular Growth: Interplay Between Steroid Synthesis, Epigenetics, and Oocyte Development," Biology (MDPI), PMC12467455 (peer-reviewed).
9. Egg maturation timeline (~90 days / 3 months). Women & Infants Fertility (academic hospital-affiliated fertility center), referencing ASRM's 2022 nutrition-and-fertility guidance update; "Three-dimensional in vitro follicle growth," PMC2967553 (peer-reviewed review), on the multi-month growth window of the final follicular/oocyte maturation phase.
10. PCOS — low-glycemic diet and ovulatory function. Mavropoulos et al., "Effect of a low glycemic diet in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and anovulation," PubMed 29734548 (randomized controlled trial); "The effect of low glycemic index diet on the reproductive and clinical profile in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PMC8600081 (peer-reviewed).
11. Post-birth-control cycle regulation timeline. Mayo Clinic, "Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices" — typically a couple of months to return to regular ovulatory cycles.
12. Sperm regeneration cycle (~74 days). "Spermatogenesis: The Commitment to Meiosis," Physiological Reviews, American Physiological Society (peer-reviewed) — reports human spermatogenesis duration as 74 days.
13. Antioxidant/micronutrient supplementation and sperm/ART outcomes. Micronutrient Antioxidants for Men (Menevit®), PMC11200383 (peer-reviewed), on antioxidant supplementation and improved ART outcomes.
14. Turmeric — safety caution around egg retrieval / IVF. NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, "Turmeric: Usefulness and Safety" (nccih.nih.gov/health/turmeric) — notes curcumin's effects on platelet function and potential to increase bleeding risk, particularly at concentrated/supplement doses rather than culinary use. Ginger's safety in pregnancy/fertility contexts is comparatively well-studied (e.g. Cochrane-adjacent RCT meta-analyses on ginger for nausea in pregnancy).
15. Rose petal / rose tea — menstrual symptom clinical trial. Tseng et al., "Rose Tea for Relief of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Taiwan," Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, PubMed 16154059 (peer-reviewed RCT, n=130).