More Alternative & Herbal Contraceptive Methods (including Abortifacients)

I’ve already discussed a few recipes for ensuring an uninterrupted menstrual cycle. But there are some other methods available out there, which are listed below. Remember to read my Intro to Herbal Birth Control and Disclaimer if you came across this post first.

[These herbs/etc are discussed in more detail at Sister Zeus’ site and in Susan Weed’s book, Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years. Since these and other ladies have done a significant amount of work on this subject, I cannot feasibly or morally quote everything they have written. Therefore, my own discussion will be limited, but I have littered this post with links to Sister Zeus’ site which contains plenty of further information to aid your research. I see this post as a springboard…helping to steer other seekers in the best direction.]

***Please keep in mind that many of these herbs/etc do have various side effects and though most may be mild, some can be quite harmful, toxic, or even deadly in high doses. Make certain you have fully researched an herb/etc and are aware of proper dosage, contraindications, and pre-existing conditions that are more susceptible to ill effects. Just because something is natural does not mean it is completely harmless! With that said, if you educate yourself fully, respect yourself, the plant, and the method, and maintain awareness you can avoid negative complications.***

***TIMING IS KEY!!! Many of these herbs require use at very specific times, which means you need to be completely familiar with your menstrual cycle. So much so, that you can not only tell when you are ovulating, but when it is a week before your period is due. These are the two most common times for use of these herbs.***

 

=HERBS FOR DELAYED MENSTRUATION (not pregnant)=

• Parsley
• Ginger
  
• Yarrow
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Feverfew
  

=DAILY CONTRACEPTIVES & STERILITY PROMOTERS=

• Wild Yam
  
• Neem Oil
  
• Neem Leaf
  
• Pomegranate (punica granatum)
  
• Stoneseed root
  
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit root
  
• Thistles

=IMPLANTATION INHIBITORS=

• Queen Anne’s Lace seeds (Daucus carota) –also known as Wild Carrot
• Rutin (Vitamin P)
• Smartweed leaves (Polygonum hdropiper)
• Neem Oil
• Apricot kernels
• Cotton Root bark
• Rue
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

=EMMENAGOGUES=

(*menstrual inducers, though not all are abortifacient*)

• Mild Strength = Parsley, Ginger, Yarrow, Feverfew, Rosemary, Sage
  
• Medium Strength = Parsley, Queen Anne’s Lace Seeds, Black Cohosh, Mugwort, Juniper
  
• Strongest = Pennyroyal, Angelica, Savin, Rue, Tansy, Asafetida, Blue Cohosh, Vitamin C, celery seed, birthwort
• Abortifacients = Angelica, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Cotton Root Bark, Evening Primrose, Parsley, Pennyroyal, unripe Pineapple, Tansy, Vitamin C
  

Here is a list of emmenagogues with dosages from Susan Weed’s book, Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years:

° Angelica root: infusion, tincture (10 drops three times daily for four days)
° Fresh Lemon Balm leaves: tincture, bath
° Bethroot: infusion, tincture (a dropperful every four hours for five days)
° ° Birthwort root or whole plant in flower: infusion
° Black Cohosh root: infusion, tincture (20 drops every six hours for four days)
° ° Blue Cohosh root: infusion, tincture (20 drops every four hours for five days)
° ° Cotton root bark: infusion
° European Vervain plant: tincture (15 drops every six hours for five days)
° ° Ergot fungus: commercial extracts
° Feverfew plants in flower: tincture (40 drops every three hours for four days)
° Ginger root: infusion, tincture
° Hyssop leaves: infusion, tincture
° Liferoot plant in flower: tincture (20 drops twice daily for five days)
° Lovage root: infusion
° ° Marijuana female flowers: infusion, tincture, smoke
° ° Mistletoe leaves: infusion
° Mugwort plant: decoction
° Osha root: infusion, tincture (10 drops every four hours for five days)
° Fresh Parsley leaves: juice, vaginal insert (several sprigs, changed twice daily for three days)
° Pennyroyal plant: infusion, tincture, oil (Avoid completely before and throughout pregnancy. Oil rubbed on skin may cause miscarriage.)
° ° Peruvian bark: infusion, tincture (15 drops twice daily for four days)
° Rosemary plant in flower: infusion, tincture (20 drops twice daily for five days)
° Rue leaves: infusion, tincture (10 drops every six hours for four days)
° Saffron stigmas: one half gram daily for four days (ten grams is a fatal dose)
° Sumac berries: infusion (source of vitamin C and possibly rutin)
° Sweet Flag root: infusion, bath, tincture (10 drops every ix hours for six days)
° Tansy plant in flower: infusion, tincture
° Fresh Wood Sorrel plant: infusion, tincture (10 drops every six hours for four days)

=UTERINE CONTRACTORS & STIMULATORS=

• *Oxytocic = Blue Cohosh, Cotton seed/root, Angelica, Marijuana
  
• ^†Thujone = Tansy, Mugwort, Juniper berries, Chamomile
  
• Other/Unique = Angelica, Blue Cohosh, Ginger, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Rosemary

*Oxytocic means the herbs promote the production of prostaglandins, which in turn promote uterine contractions

^†Thujone is a volatile oil that promotes uterine contractions

From Susan Weed’s book, Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years:

Cotton root bark Gossypium is reported to be the safest and most certain herbal abortifacient. I have tried to obtain some organic Cotton root bark for six years now, without success. My information on its effectiveness comes from a study done by a women’s health collective in New Mexico. They used an infusion taken by sips throughout the day until the abortion was well under way. This is apparently a traditional method of birth control among Native Americans who grow cotton. Specific information on dosage and possible side effects should be available to women who live in the South and seek out a traditional healer or curandera.

Blue Cohosh root Caulophyllum thalictroides is usually combined with Pennyroyal when used as an abortifacient. There are any number of ways to prepare and ingest this combination. Both Pennyroyal and Blue Cohosh are toxic in excess and can easily overtax the liver and kidneys. Headache and extreme nausea have been reported by many women using these herbs. This is a common remark: “I knew that if I could just drink one more cup of that infusion, I would abort, but I threw up every time I tried!” CAUTION: Do not use Blue Cohosh if you have low blood pressure.

=MENSTRUAL EXTRACTION=

Menstrual extraction is a method of removing material from the uterus, pretty nice when your period comes at the worst possible time, which it always will. Conveniently, it can also remove a fertilized egg when performed early enough. It is similar to a surgical abortion; however, the cervix does not need to be dilated and most doctors don’t use it. You’ll need to find someone who can safely perform this technique if you wish to go this route.

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All right. Please visit the links throughout the post for more information and conduct your own research so you can make an educated decision! Oh, and consult a doctor too because only they are licensed medical practitioners, etc, etc.