Goat Milk-Processed Clitoria Ternatea (Aparajita) Root For Ovulation Induction: A Clinical Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Anovulatory infertility, often due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a leading cause of female infertility. Conventional ovulation induction (OI) agents like clomiphene and letrozole are effective but carry side effects (e.g., risk of multiple pregnancy, ovarian hyperstimulation). Ayurvedic medicine describes Clitoria ternatea root processed with Aja Dugdha Bhavita Aparajita Mula Churnavati as a remedy for female infertility. However, its efficacy had not been scientifically evaluated until now. Aim: To assess whether a goat milk-processed Clitoria ternatea root formulation can induce ovulation in anovulatory women. Methods: In an open label pilot trial, 22 women (age 19–34) with anovulatory infertility (primarily PCOS) received Aparajita root powder tablets (1.5 g twice daily) on days 4–6 of their menstrual cycle for 3 consecutive cycles. Ultrasound monitoring confirmed ovulation, and hormonal, menstrual, and metabolic parameters were recorded pre and post-treatment. Key outcomes (ovulation occurrence, menstrual regularity, pregnancy, etc.) were analyzed using paired statistical tests (McNemar’s for ovulation, Wilcoxon for cycle regularity, etc.). Results: Ovulation was induced in 7 of 22 women (31.8%) over the 3 month treatment (0% at baseline, p≈0.02). Four women (18.2%) conceived during the study. Menstrual cycle regularity improved significantly from 18.2% to 63.6% (p<0.01), with mean cycle length decreasing from ~60 to 34 days. Menstrual flow volume normalized (83% of initially scanty/heavy cases improved, p<0.05). Average body mass index (BMI) reduced from 26.45 to 25.63 (p<0.001). No major adverse effects were observed; the formulation was well tolerated. Conclusion: The Ayurvedic formulation yielded a notable ovulation induction rate with ancillary benefits of improved menstrual regularity, normalized flow, and mild weight reduction, all without significant side effects. These findings suggest that Aparajita processed with goat milk is a promising, safe complementary therapy for anovulatory infertility, especially in PCOS. Larger controlled trials are warranted to confirm efficacy and mechanism, but this pilot study bridges traditional knowledge with modern fertility science, highlighting a novel integrative approach to ovulation induction.