Contraceptives
CAUTION
Some of these remedies can be harmful if misused. Attempting Herbal miscarriage after the
first Trimester is dangerous. Some of these remedies are taken to help prevent conception
in the following month. While they may have some effect, effective rate is not known
and should not be relied upon today. Some are effectively ‘morning-after’ birth
control that can be safely used in an attempt to avoid conception after
unprotected Sex, these typically having anti-implantation effect.
These are best used in the hours or days after unprotected
Sex. Be also aware that using such medicines may be
illegal to use in your country for this purpose. In all Traditional Cultures, various methods have been tried to control or prevent pregnancy. Various ancient cultures including Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian show evidence of using contraceptives, some of which have been proven to have some effectiveness via anti-implantation or spermicidal effects, while many simply have strong emmenagogue effects, effectively inducing early miscarriage if used in the first few weeks after conception.
Contraception has been a part of human culture for millennia, and continues to be widely used today. Various methods have been used and this page intends to show the use of herbal contraception as used in Traditional Medicine.
Several different methods were employed:
- Magic used by folk medicine practitioners and midwives to try to prevent conception.
- Medicines used for a time after menstruation to prevent conception for a period after.
- Medicines taken following intercourse to avoid implantation
- Medicines taken once Menstruation has been absent to ‘force’ menstruation
- Medicines applied to the penis before intercourse
- Medicines inserted into the vagina prior to or after intercourse
- Physical Therapies: sneezing and making loud noise following intercourse; rub the umbilicus firmly with the thumb; also smelling strong smelling scents.
As far as Herbal Medicine is concerned, several effects can cause a contraceptive effect. In females, herbs may prevent fertilization, implantation, or ovulation, may decrease progesterone, or cause abortion. In men, they may prevent spermatogenesis, inhibit testosterone, or affect gonadotropin.
- Anti-fertility–prevent or control Fertility
- Anti-implantation–these prevent implantation of a fertilized egg after conception
- Antiovulation–these prevent ovulation, thereby preventing conception
- Antiprogesterone–inhibits progesterone, the ‘pregnancy hormone’
- Antispermatogenic–these inhibit sperm production
- Strong emmenagogue–when these are used in within the first month after conception, they force menstruation, thereby causing early miscarriage. They should only be used in the first trimester.
- Abortifacient–these medicines abort the Fetus and are only safe to use in the first Trimester, preferably in the first month.
- Contraceptives are mentioned in Kahun Papyrus (1850 BCE) which included pessaries and vaginal plugs
- Condoms are illustrated in Egypt (c. 1350–1200 BCE)
- Hippocrates (460-377 BCE) mentions ‘Coitus interruptus’ (withdrawal) as a form of Contraception.
- Hippocrates also mentions Wild Carrot seed which has shown strong anti-fertility effect.
- Aristotle (384-322 BCE) mentions several topical contraceptives.
- Pliny (23–79 CE) recommended abstinence as a form of Birth Control.
- Dioscorides (40–90 CE) listed almost 100 remedies as contraceptives in his Materia Medica.
- Galen (130-200 CE ) lists several medicines for contraception.
- Charaka (c. 100–200 CE) mentions several contraceptives
- Aetius (6th century) recommended women smearing Cedar resin, Myrtle, Lead and Alum while men should smear their penis with Alum, Pomegranate, Galls and Vinegar.
- Avicenna (980-1037 CE) in his Canon mentions a number of Contraceptive medicines, both topical and internal
- Jurjani (1110 CE) gave detailed instructions for Contraception, including men wrapping their penis in fine cloth prior to intercourse.
- Vascetomy was reportedly first performed in 1775. Sir Asley Cooper first performed vasectomy in dogs in 1823.
- James Blundell recommended tubal division in 1834, Lungren perfomed the first Tubal Ligation in 1880.
- German gynecologist by the name of Wilde made the first cervical cup in 1838.
- Dr Mesinga (1882) devloped the modern diaphragm.
- Dr Rendell invented spermicidal pessaries in 1885.
- First vasectomy in man was performed in Britain in 1894.
- Richter invents IUD in 1909.
- Around 1930 it was discovered that ovulation occurred mid cycle, thereby recommending to avoid intercourse during this period to prevent pregnancy.
- During the ‘2 sequential pills, morning-after pills and copper IUD’s were introduced.
- ‘s Birth Control Pill was first used by the Candaian Dr. Yuzpe (combining esterogen and progesterone)
- 1972 the Australians Dr. John and Evelyn Billings showed cervical mucus changes occur with ovarian cycle, and the Billings method was established.
- ‘s Ultra low dose contraceptive pill is introduced.
- ‘s Hormonal implants were first introduced
Herbs With Proven Contraceptive and Anti-Fertility Effect
Anti-Fertility
|
Abrus precatorius (20mg/kg 70% EtOH extract) Albizzia (50–100mg/kg methanolic extract) Terminalia bellirica (50mg/day EtOH extract) Lacca |
Aegle marmelos (100mg/kg 50% EtOH extract) Holy Basil (300mg/kg benzene extract) Lemon seed (EtOH extract) |
|
Chicory (50mg/kg EtOH extract) Dodder (800mg/kg EtOH extract) Turmeric (200mg/kg Petroleum ether extract) Abutilon (500mg/kg aqueous-EtOH extract) Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (400mg/kg EtOH extract) Holy Basil (water extract) Pomegranate fruit (1.8 mg/kg EtOH extract) Mentha arvensis (100 mg/kg EtOH extract) Achyranthes (200 mg/kg EtOH extract) Coriander seed (extract) Asafetida Plumbago (100-200mg/kg) |
Madder (250mg/kg EtOH extract) Nettle (250mg/kg EtOH extract) Aloe (100mg/kg aqueous extract) Mugwort (300mg/kg EtOH extract) Butea monosperma (300mg/kg of extract) Castor seed (80mg/kg EtOH extract) Polygonum hydropiper (150mg/kg EtOH extract) Juniper seed (200 mg/kg EtOH extract) Pueraria tuberosa (powder or EtOH extract) Crotalaria juncea Cotton root-bark (125mg/100gm benzene extract) |
|
Polygonum hydropiper |
Plumbago (200mg/kg) |
An Anti-progesterone effect does not mean it is contraindicated in pregnancy; a number of the below-mentioned herbs are used during Pregnancy.
|
Juniper Licorice Ailanthus Scutellaria Huang Qin |
Eucommia Du Zhong Dioscorea Shan Yao, Dang Gui, Atractylodes Bai Zhu |
|
Turmeric (500mg/kg 70% EtOH extract) Tinospora (100mg/day of methanol extract to rats) Andrographis Plumbago (159mg/kg of EtOH extract) |
Enicostemma axillare (375mg/kg of EtOHextract) Bacopa (250mg/kg of dry powder) Cannabis (20mg/kg EtOH extract) Embelia ribes |
A number of Saponins from Herbal Medicines have demonstrated Spermicidal activity.
|
Embelia seed (EtOH extract) Neem Balamites aegyptiaca (Water extract topically) |
Scarlet Pimpernel (Saponin content) Primula (Saponins) Momordica dioica root |
|
Savin Asafetida |
Rue Myrrh |
|
Moringa oleifera (175mg/kg EtOH extract) Asafetida |
Achyranthes (200 mg/kg EtOH extract) Cotton root-bark |
Western Tradition
Simples
|
Carrot seed Rue Turmeric Winter Cherry Castor seed (prepared) |
Cotton seed Shepherd’s Purse Lacca Basil Borax |
Blessed Thistle (strong infusion)
Pomegranate seed
Willow leaf (Dioscorides)
Methods of Use:
1. In Unani, the fruit of Winter Cherry is used for a period following menstruation to prevent Conception.
2. A piece of Tumeric (or the powder) taken by a women for 3 days during menstruation and 3 days after was said to promote sterility, but the menstrual period will continue. (Ayurveda, Unani)
Abortifacient effects have been demonstrated by strong water extracts in early pregnancy.
3. Carrot seed has been traditionally used as a ‘morning after’ anti-pregnancy treatment.
Seed extracts were effective at inhibiting implantation taken 4–6 days post coitum.
4. Cotton seed and cotton seed oil contain gossypol has both male and female contraceptive effects.
20mg taken daily for 3 months followed by maintenance of 50-60mg weekly dramatically inhibited sperm motility in men. It also promote menstruation and inhibits implantation in women.
5. Embelia ribes was used in an open trial: 48 fertile women (aged between 26-42) took Embelia for 1 year covering 538 menstrual cycles. The method used was to take 1 tablet (400 mg Embelia ribes extract) each morning for 10 days beginning on the fifth day of menstruation; total dosage was 10 tablets for 1 menstrual cycle. No pregnancies occurred and no side effects were noted. (see research here)
6. Basil juice drunk after intercourse prevents conception (Unani)
7. Pyrethrum powder, taken with Honey, prevents Conception (Unani)
8. Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala), 6 grams daily after menstruation for 7 days prevents Menstruation (Unani)
9. One Broad Bean (Vicia faba) taken early morning for 76 days was said to cause permanent Sterility.
10. Ivy berries: 1 dram taken after Menstruation was used to prevent conception for that month.
Several anti-fertility and abortifacient compounds have been isolated.
11. Continuous use of Pine tar by women was said to cause Sterility. (Rhazes)
12. Long Pepper with Borax taken as a powder with Milk after Menstruation, prevents Conception.
13. Castor seed was traditionally used as a contraceptive.
Extracts fed to animals showed anti-conception and anti-implantation activity.
14. Euphorbia fusiformis tuber (30 grams) is crushed with rice (15 grams) and taken on days 3 to 5 of the menstrual cycle as a contraceptive for the next month. (Unani)
15. Mugwort is made into Tablets, 10 Tablets being taken each cycle as a contraceptive. (Bengal)
16. Neem oil or extract given after menstruation (for an unspecified period of time) has been used as a contraceptive. (Ayurveda)
Other herbs traditionally used as Contraceptives:
1. Butea monosperma seed
2. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flowers
3. Mitragyna parvifolia bark
Topically:
1. Balsam Oil, used as a pessary and when anointed on the cervix before coitus prevents conception. (Unani)
2. Black Pepper acts as a spermicidal if used as a pessary after intercourse. (Unani)
3. Peppermint juice, used as a pessary acts as a contraceptive (Galen, Rhazes); some added Black Pepper.
4. A pessary of fresh Rue leaves prevents conception; some combined with Peppermint.
5. A Douche of Wormwood after intercourse.
6. Psoralea corylifolia mixed with oil as a pessary after Menstruation prevents conception. (Unani)
7. Hemlock, applied to the glans penis, acts as a male contraceptive (Unani)
8. Salix babylonica and Mint as a pessary acts as a contraception. (Avicenna)
9. Rue, Marsh Mint, Pine tar as a pessary. (Unani, Hakeem Azam Khan)
10. Sesame oil applied to the penis before coitus acts as a male contraceptive. Some used Salt with Sesame oil. (Unani)
11. Rock Salt was suggested by Majusi (Unani physician). He said it can be applied to the penis before intercourse, and used as a pessary by women afterwards.
12. Pine tar applied to the penis before intercourse prevents conception. Rhazes held this the most effective form of contraception.
13. “Some physicians recommend the use of menstrual blood as a suppository to prevent conception”. (Avicenna)
Special Formulas:
TRADITIONAL AYURVEDIC CONTRACEPTIVE
Borax
Long Pepper
Embelia ribes equal parts
These are made into a powder. This is taken in a dose of 2 grams, once a day, for 5 days after the start of Menstruation, preferably in the morning, for 7 days. This has been used as a traditional contraceptive in India. Versions of it are still used today.
Research (2003) from India has confirmed its effectiveness as a Contraceptive, and it was planned to be developed for widespread use in that country.
UNANI CONTRACEPTIVE
Embelia ribes
Asafetida
Piper betle
Abrus precatorius
These are prepared into a dry extract to be given for 20 days produces a contraceptive effect for 4 months. (Indusyunic Medicine, Khan Usmanghani, Aftab Saeed, Muhammad Tanweer Alam, Pakistan)
A PATENTED FORMULA
Embella ribes fruit
Piper longum fruit
Borax
Asafetida
Piper betle
Polianthes tuberosa
Abrus precatorius
This was administered orally to woman (dose of 0.28 grams/person) starting from the second day of menstruation, taken twice daily for 20 days. Sex was not permitted during the dosing period (20 days). This produced a contraceptive effect for 4 months. (See here)
KITAB AL HAWI (Rhazes)
Colocynth
Scammony
Bryony
Iron rust
Cabbage, equal parts
Powder, mix with Pinus sylvestris, use as a pessary after menstruation.
QARABADEEN AZAM
Vernonia anthelmintica
Chebula
Mesua ferrea
Zerumbet
Myrica nagi, 5 grams each
Powder and form 7 tablets; one tablet is taken daily during menstruation as a contraceptive for the following month. (Unani)
BAYAAZ E KHAS
Aniseed
Celery seed
Marsh Mint
Pennyroyal 2 parts each
Indian Spikenard
Cinnamon
Cassia Wood
Balsam fruit
Balsam wood
Juniper
Costus, 1 part each
Form Tablets. To be taken by females before Intercourse.
To Cause Miscarriage
1. Juniper
Asafetida
Gum Ammoniac, 2 grams each
Form Tablets to be taken in a single dose. (Unani)
THIS SHOULD NOT BE USED EXCEPT UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION IN A HOSPITAL SETTING.
Research & Further Reading 1. FERTILITY CONTROL WITH UNANI MEDICINE: A REVIEW. Salma et al., Adv J Pharm Life sci Res, 2015
2. Medicinal Plants Used in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) as Contraceptive Agents.
3. A Critical Review and Scientific Prospective on Contraceptive Therapeutics from Ayurveda and Allied Ancient Knowledge
4. Antifertility activity of medicinal plants
5. Research on plants for fertility regulation in India.
6. Study of Antifertility Effect of Luk Maghsool (Laccifer lacca Kerr) in Albino Rat with Reference to its Antiovulatory and Oestrogenic Activity
7. RUE
–“Not tonight zebrafish”: the effects of Ruta graveolens on reproduction.
–Medicinal Plants Used in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) as Contraceptive Agents.
–Immobilising effect of Ruta graveolens L. on human spermatozoa: coumarin compounds are involved.