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Title: Herbal Abortion Author: Annwen Date: 2002 Language: en Topics: abortion, herbal, natural, illegalism, manual, not anarchist, anarcha-feminism Source: Retrieved on 4 September 2021 from [[https://we.riseup.net/assets/231618/herbalabortion.pdf]] Notes: **Herbal Abortion** published by Godhaven Ink, 2002. Compiled and edited by Annwen **Second edition.** Future editions will include updated and expanded information. Suggestions and corrections gratefully received! **isbn 0 9529975 6 8** Godhaven Ink, Rooted Media, The Cardigan Centre, 145â149 Cardigan Road, Leeds, LS6 1LJ, England, **www.godhaven.org.uk** **Godhaven Ink publications are anti-copyright.** Information for action! However, if you only reproduce part of this pamphlet you may omit important details and seriously risk somebodyâs health.
Abortion is not a modern invention. For millennia women have used a
variety of plants to prevent or terminate pregnancy.
Many of the herbs included have mythic reputations as aphrodisiacs
because of their associations with freedom and sexuality, stemming from
their use in ancient orgiastic cultures.
As technological culture puts the power over our lives in the hands of a
small number of hi-tech experts, women have stopped learning how to
control their own fertility.
Herbal Abortion gathers some of the long-known knowledge of herbal
abortion and puts it into a straightforward and practical pamphlet.
Most of the substances mentioned are readily available, and all of them
are known to be effective.
Herbal Abortion covers not only herbs but also other things such as home
pregnancy testing kits that put control back into the hands of the
individual woman.
Herbal Abortion empowers women and gives them a chance to learn how to
affect their own reproductive systems.
Herbal Abortion is not a pamphlet of new and radical ideas, it is simply
the perpetuation of age-old knowledge that has been systematically
suppressed by those â from medieval witch-burners and clergy to modern
day doctors and politicians â who would usurp the power of a womanâs
control over her own body.
Just because herbal abortion uses herbs does not mean it will be gentle
or easy. There are certainly risks with any medical treatment. Natural
does not equal safe.
Having read this, a woman may well choose not to use a herbal method of
abortion.
But whatever she chooses, she will be making a more informed choice from
a wider range of options, and she will better understand the workings of
her own fertility.
Since before recorded history women have been able to control their own
fertility using plants. whether it be for increasing the chances of
conceiving, contraception, abortion or starting delayed periods, women
have known how to listen to their bodies and affect them. Itâs only
fairly recently that weâve given over all knowledge of our bodies to
medical professionals. My aim is to empower women to take the personal
experience of abortion from the hands of doctors and politicians.
Until medieval times, midwives were the ones with the information about
abortive and contraceptive herbs, and because of it they were burned as
witches by the Christian establishment. The clergy recognised the power
of fertility control and took it for themselves. Politicians inherited
and still wield this power.
There was never any contradiction between the role of the midwife in
childbirth and her role in dispensing herbs for abortion, it was seen as
two different aspects of the same thing; part of the same cycle. I
believe that regulation of your fertility must include being able to
decide when to become a mother and when not to.
Although obviously an emotional time, abortion can be a positive
experience, proving your fertility, clarifying relationships and
exploring your feelings about motherhood. Itâs not necessarily the
opposite of motherhood, it can be part of it.
Widespread information about how to use these herbs has never been
properly recovered. I decided to make it my mission to distribute this
information after finding myself pregnant and not being able to find
accurate, reliable information about herbs in time. Itâs easy to find a
list of herbs to âavoid during a pregnancyâ, but this is a long way from
knowing how much of these herbs to use to end that pregnancy.
This pamphlet should be read in its entirety with attention being paid
to risks and side effects. There are risks involved with herbal abortion
but these risks are no reason not to attempt it provided you are armed
with good information about all the possible outcomes are are willing to
resort to visiting a doctor if you need to.
You may decide after reading this pamphlet that herbal abortion is not
for you. Itâs true, it wonât suit everyone. Herbal abortion can only
take place in very early pregnancy and has a reasonably high chance of
failure. You may not wish to go through two weeks of taking strong herbs
only to have to have a clinical abortion after all (and it is vital that
you do not continue with the pregnancy after youâve take herbs for
reasons stated later). Many of these herbs are quite toxic and can be
taxing on the body, itâs not true to assume that herbs are a less
physically stressful method than a clinical abortion. Natural does not
automatically equal safe. However, some of you may believe any attempt
to take matters into your own hands to be worth it even if unsuccessful.
You should also be aware that herbal abortion is not an easy option, it
involves dedication and focus and would be best attempted if you have
some time on your hands and supportive friends around you.
All of this information goes hand in hand with knowledge of your own
fertility cycle. Through making simple observations itâs possible to
determine when you are at your most fertile, and therefore when you are
likely to have conceived. This is basic information about our own bodies
that more women should know.
Most of the information contained here has been gathered from other
sources, and several names crop up regularly. Full details of all the
publications and websites I quote are in the Bibliography. The amazing
website by Sister Zeus was my first introduction to the topic and is the
place where most of my information comes from. I would advice anyone
whoâs thinking of attempting a herbal abortion to visit the website and
join the email support group.
Good Luck
Annwen
Firstly, a note about dating the pregnancy. Pregnancy is usually talked
about in terms of weeks. Iâm using the start date as the date of
conception as this will be the exact number of weeks for which you have
been pregnant. This is very easy to determine if you know your own
menstrual cycle and can tell when you ovulated, or you may know the date
of when you had unprotected sex. If you canât determine the date of
conception then you can use the rough estimate of two weeks before your
period is due. The medical profession number a pregnancy from the
beginning of your last period so remember that if youâre reading any
medical literature or have spoken to a doctor, their date will be
roughly two weeks before you actually conceived.
As a general rule, the herbs are safer and more effective the earlier on
in your pregnancy they are used, so time is of the essence. There are
several windows of opportunity for ending a pregnancy during the first
six weeks (from the date of conception).
The best time to begin is during the first two weeks. This is the time
between conception and the expected time of menstruation. In the first
few days of pregnancy the fertilised egg can be prevented from attaching
itself to the wall of the womb, this is how the medical emergency
contraceptive (the âmorning after pillâ) works. If the egg has already
implanted then its âgripâ will be weak as the placenta will not have
been established and so it is still a very good time to utilize the
herbs, this is when the pregnancy is most fragile and easiest to disrupt
in various ways.
Another reason why this is a time when the herbs are at their most
effective is that many of these abortive herbs are thought to be
teratogens. Teratogens cause the development of abnormal structures in
an embryo resulting in deformities in the foetus, and have been linked
to complications during pregnancy and birth. Fertilised eggs are thought
to abort if exposed to teratogenic agents during the first two weeks of
pregnancy.
If herbs are successful at this early stage then menstruation is likely
to occur at the usual time â bleeding wonât start much sooner than
expected because a womanâs menstrual cycle must complete itself before
bleeding begins.
The next stage, when menstruation is due or just late is still a good
time to begin taking the herbs, and they are effective until two weeks
after the usual menstruation time. The chances of success are thought to
diminish after this time, although successes have been reported.
However, Susan Weed talks of a final window of opportunity for the herbs
to be effective by beginning to take them during the 5^(th) week of
pregnancy. The reason she gives for this is that most natural
miscarriages happen during the 6^(th) week of pregnancy (when
menstruation is about a month late â when you would bleed if not
pregnant). She describes the body as ârememberingâ bleeding at this
time. I canât explain this phenomenon in any scientific way, but I have
read successful herbal abortion stories that describe the abortion
happening at this time even though the herbs had been given up on for at
least a week before this, which would support the theory of the bodyâs
natural cycles still having an effect.
The herbs can be continued up until the beginning of the 7^(th) week but
must not be taken beyond this time as any miscarriage during or after
the 8^(th) week (given that the herbs can take a week or more to work)
is dangerous. This is because the placenta is firmly embedded in the
uterine wall by this stage, meaning that in the event of a miscarriage
the umbilical cord is likely to break leaving the placenta inside the
uterus when the foetus is expelled. This can cause profuse bleeding,
haemorrhage or serious uterine infection which could be life
threatening. The chances of the herbs working after the final window of
opportunity is extremely low and so it is not worth the serious risk to
your safety.
The herbs can be taken as tea, tinctures or capsules. The idea is to
keep a constant level of herbs circulating through your body, so for
this reason you should take the herbs at regular intervals throughout
the day and night. Set the alarm to wake yourself at least once of twice
in the night to take a dose, as a whole night without herbs could undo
any progress youâve made during the day.
I would recommend taking time off whatever else youâre doing in order to
focus on the task in hand, as it could prove difficult to take your
herbs frequently and regularly if youâre travelling or very busy. Herbal
abortion is not easy and requires you to be focussed. Your chances of
success are increased, in my opinion, if you give yourself time.
Discontinue the herbs once bleeding has begun, if you only get a little
spotting then continue until you have blood flowing properly. Herbs
should be used for a maximum of 10â14 days. This is because the herbs
and dosages we are dealing with can be very stressful on the body. The
risk of doing serious damage to yourself is too great, donât put your
own health and even life at risk (as damage to the vital organs can
occur if you overdo the dosages or continue beyond the upper limit of
two weeks). These herbs are strong and so your body will feel taxed but
itâs very important not to risk poisoning yourself. Stick to the
recommended dosages.
Some herbs are more toxic than others and it does not follow that the
most toxic are the most effective in causing abortion. As with all
medicines, a herb can cause different reactions in different people.
Herbs which could cause very bad side effects in one woman could be fine
for another so listen to your body and choose the ones which are best
for you. At any sign of poisoning discontinue the herbs that you are
using.
Although this may sound a little patronising, you must ensure that you
start using contraceptives immediately after the abortion. You may find
that you ovulate at an unexpected time as your cycle will take a while
to settle back into any kind of pattern (it could be earlier or later).
May women have found themselves pregnant again at the next ovulation
after the abortion so be careful!
Each herb has a unique action on the body and it is useful to know how
each one works in order to select the right ones at the right time. The
herbs have been categorised by their properties and some herbs appear in
more than one category as they affect the body in more than one way.
Many herbs could cause abortion single-handedly but a combination of
complementary herbs could prove more effective. Choosing herbs with
different actions to each other would be complementary, rather than
using several with the same action. There is some evidence to suggest
that using just one to four herbs at a time is better than trying to
combine a large number of herbs.
These categories could be seen as an oversimplification as whole plants
have a variety of different actions combining to make each one unique,
but nevertheless these three basic groupings are an invaluable guideline
for getting it right.
These are also referred to as âimplantation inhibiting herbsâ as they
are the category of herbs that are used as emergency contraception after
fertilisation, but theyâre effective after that period as well. They
work by interfering with the normal production of the hormone
progesterone, without which the lining of the womb becomes unsupportive
to the fertilised egg. Progesterone is crucial to the continued
viability of a pregnancy. If the egg has not yet implanted in the womb
then it is prevented from doing so and is expelled along with the
lining. If the egg has already implanted, it detaches from the
unsupportive womb lining and the lining will break down.
available, effective and non-toxic)
category as it does cause the womb lining the break down. It does this
by decreasing the permeability of blood capillaries in the womb)
These herbs cause contractions in the uterus, which can expel the embryo
and are an ideal addition after a progesterone blocking herb has been
used for a few days. Often these herbs can help to regulate and
strengthen any contractions that are happening due to the use of other
abortifacients.
Some herbs cause uterine contractions because they are oxytocic. This
means that they stimulate the pituitary hormone Oxytocin. This is a
hormone that stimulates contractions during labour but is suppressed by
the bodyâs production of progesterone until the final stages of
pregnancy. Oxytocic herbs: Cotton Root Bark, Blue Cohosh.
Some herbs cause contractions because they contain the volatile oil
thujone. Thujone also stimulates the brain and is toxic in large doses.
Thujone is present in many herbs including, most famously, wormwood
which is used to make the mind altering drink absinthe popular in
19^(th) century France. If used in a concentrated form or in extremely
large doses thujone can cause delirium, hallucinations, convulsions, and
brain cortex lesions. Thujone has been known to trigger epileptic
seizures and so herbs containing thujone must be avoided by those with
epilepsy. These herbs should be used with caution and without exceeding
dosages stated. In my opinion, there are many other herbs that are far
less toxic to use before selecting any from this category. Thujone
herbs: Juniper, Mugwort, Tansy.
These herbs contain a number of chemicals that are similar enough to the
female hormone oestrogen to mimic its effects on the body. Oestrogenic
herbs are thought to be teratogens, which could explain their
effectiveness as abortifacients, but as most of these herbs are also
found in other categories then it is likely to be one of a number of
properties working together. Oestrogenic herbs can cause oestrogen-like
side effects e.g. abnormal blood clotting, liver problems, and oestrogen
dependant tumours, but are far less strong than oestrogen itself as
found in the contraceptive pill. Anyone taking the contraceptive pill,
any other oestrogen medication or blood pressure medication should avoid
these herbs, as should anyone whoâs been advised against taking
oestrogenic medication (like the contraceptive pill).
The most responsible thing to do before attempting a herbal abortion is
to confirm with a test that you actually are pregnant. There are many
reasons for this. Firstly, herbs for terminating pregnancy are strong
and can be stressful for the body, therefore if theyâre not needed they
should not be taken. Another reason is that if you take herbs and begin
to bleed but only lightly or for only a day you will need to know if you
were pregnant in order to know if this is a problem. If pregnancy has
been confirmed this could suggest an incomplete abortion which would
require medical attention (see the section entitled âwhat could go
wrongâ). However, if you are not pregnant then thereâs nothing to worry
about.
As we have readily available early detection pregnancy tests there is
still time to employ the herbs after a test. Tests are available that
can detect pregnancy at 8â12 days after conception.
Iâm aware that this contradicts the message to use the herbs as early as
possible in the pregnancy, and whilst it is safest and most effective to
begin as soon as possible, this must be weighed up against the possible
dangers to health of using herbs when pregnancy status is uncertain.
Remember, using an early detection test only means a delay of a few
days, which leaves you well within a safe time scale for disrupting
pregnancy and to seek a clinical abortion if this should fail.
Home pregnancy tests work by measuring the presence of the hormone
âhuman chorionic gonadotrophinâ (hCG) in your urine. This hormone is
produced by the placenta shortly after the embryo has implanted in the
womb lining and begins to build up rapidly, doubling almost every 48
hours up to the 60^(th)-90^(th) day of pregnancy.
Not all pregnancy tests are the same; some are more sensitive than
others. Unfortunately pregnancy tests rarely print their sensitivity on
the packaging â they usually say that they can be used from the first
day of a missed period even though some can be used several days before.
The following table has been compiled from information gained by
contacting manufacturers. The table is by no means complete as yet;
research is still ongoing into other brands. If you have a test that you
are unsure about itâs sensitivity itâs often possible to gain the
information by ringing a phone number on the packaging.
The most sensitive test Iâve discovered is Easistix P which is produced
by Eastern Pharmaceuticals [1]. Unfortunately it isnât one of the most
widely available, I found it in my local chemist but not in any of the
supermarkets, itâs also possible to order it over the internet [2].
Funnily enough, there is a pub in Derby that has a vending machine that
stocks this brand of test in the Ladies toilets [3]. If you canât find
Easistix P then any of the tests which can detect 25 mIU of hCG would be
fine. The tests that detect 50mIU of hCG are not classed as early
detection tests and should be avoided unless menstruation is already
late. Knowing the date you last ovulated is an extremely valuable piece
of information in this situation so that you can determine exactly when
conception occurred. If you have a regular 28-day cycle then you are
most likely to ovulate on day 14 or 15 and so you can use the 25mIU
tests 3 or 4 days before your period is due.
The lowest concentration of hCG detected by each test is measured in
milli International Units (mIU). The lower this number, the more
sensitive the test.
For more information on how to determine when you were fertile and what
your risk of pregnancy would therefore be see
www.sisterzeus.com/risk_of_preg
If you have irregular periods: Irregular periods make it difficult to
determine when you ovulated and therefore when to use a pregnancy test.
Sister Zeus [4] advises using three pregnancy tests in this situation,
the first twelve days after unprotected sex, the second two days later.
If both tests are negative then the chances of pregnancy are low,
however, a third test is advised, a week later, to make absolutely sure.
If you get a negative result from your test then there is still a chance
you are still pregnant. This is because there is a possibility that the
levels of hCG have not built up sufficiently in your system to be
detected by the test, this is especially a risk at this early stage. If
you get a negative result, but you still feel pregnant, test again 48
hours later (as levels double roughly every 48 hours). False positive
results are very rare.
Middx TW7 6NA
It is vitally important that youâve made a firm decision to terminate
the pregnancy before you attempt herbal abortion. Herbs are not a
totally reliable way to end a pregnancy (estimated at just under 50%
effective, but I donât know how this figure is arrived at as no
scientific research has been undertaken on the subject as far as I am
aware). If you are not successful it is essential that you donât carry
the pregnancy to term. The effect of these herbs on the developing
embryo is largely unknown. Many of these herbs are believed to be
teratogens, which are substances that cause the development of
abnormalities in an embryo, which could result in a severely deformed
foetus. This early stage of pregnancy is when all of the embryos bodily
organs and systems are forming and so are highly vulnerable to damage.
These herbs could also cause problems with the placenta (causing it to
partially detach or develop abnormally) which could not only damage the
embryo/foetus but also cause dangerous complications in labour.
It is therefore absolutely crucial that you are prepared to go through a
clinical abortion before you attempt a herbal one.
Whilst technically abortion could be refused, it is in effect available
on demand in the UK. The permission of two doctors is required to
approve a termination, although often the second doctor is simply a
rubber stamp. A doctor must approve an abortion if they believe that the
mental or physical health of the woman would be at risk if she were
forced to have the baby. Many doctors believe that simply having an
unwanted baby would be enough to put the womanâs mental health at risk.
Other doctors might want to hear more information about why having a
baby would be distressing to your mental health, so be prepared. Doctors
who have a specific conscientious objection to abortion are obliged to
refer you to a doctor that does not. Visit your family planning clinic
or ring NHS Direct if you are unsure about the attitude of your doctor.
Abortion is available on the NHS and most woman report no problems in
obtaining one. However, as in all areas of public health care, budgetary
restrictions apply and not all abortions are publicly funded. In
Scotland 96% of all abortions are NHS funded but in England and Wales
the figure is usually lower. Eight English health authorities have
admitted that they set specific criteria (over and above any outlined in
law) to prioritise women for free abortion. Itâs not clear whether they
fund abortions for women who do not come under these categories. A full
list of the health authorities and their categories is in Appendix 1.
Some of these categories include being on benefits, being under or over
a certain age, being a student, already having several children, having
had previous abortions. If your health authority has restrictive
criteria and you do not meet them, you could consider lying (although
they may require proof of income) or try moving to another authority
temporarily (e.g. stay with a friend or relative). Some health
authorities also fund abortion related counselling.
Medical Abortion: If you are no more than 7 weeks pregnant (or nine
weeks from your last period, which is how the medical profession date
pregnancy) you can ask for the âabortion pillâ called RU 486. This
involves taking a tablet to induce miscarriage and your body expels the
embryo without the use of surgery. The experience will vary from woman
to woman, but contractions are likely to be quicker and stronger than
with a herbal abortion.
You will be normally be under medical supervision in a hospital for the
few hours that itâs likely to take, although some health authorities
allow it to be taken at home. At home thereâs the comfort of familiar
surroundings and control; in hospital thereâs the comfort of strong
painkillers should you need them.
For more information on the development and history of RU 486 see âA
Womanâs Book of Choicesâ by Rebecca Chalker (in the bibliography).
Surgical Abortion: This involves having the embryo removed surgically by
a doctor. This is usually done under general anaesthetic, but can be
under a local anaesthetic. You donât usually need to be in hospital for
more than a day.
you donât want to go to your GP. They offer a very complete service
including contraception, morning after pill, pregnancy testing, abortion
referral, and information about councelling . Beyond abortion, their
progressive work includes campaigns to improve sexual health and
reproductive rights for all people in the UK.www.fpa.org.ukHelpline:
0845 310 1334 (9am-7pm Monday-Friday)
for abortion rights. Whilst they are a private organisation, they
stridently and actively campaign for greater NHS abortion provision. If
you are refered from a GP (or family planning clinic) you may be able to
access their services for free.www.bpas.orgHelpline: 08457 30 40 30
health and pregnancy issues for under 25s.www.brook.org.ukHelpline: 0800
0185 023
confidential medical advice and information, including facilities
available in your area. Staffed by qualified nurses and health visitors.
Calls charged at local rate.0845 4647
practice a womanâs right to safe, free and legal abortion based upon her
own informed choice.www.alra.org.uk
There are other private abortion providers who do free pregnancy testing
(Marie Stopes, etc).
Be aware that some anti-abortion groups operate under the guise of free
pregnancy testing and advice. If the logo includes a foetus or itâs an
offer of free post-abortion counselling from someone other than the NHS
or local council, approach with caution. The most prevalent are Life
(01926 311511 www.lifeuk.org and www.preghelp.org.uk). Another
anti-abortion group is CARE (0800 028 2228 www.pregnancy.org.uk), who
operate clinics under the name Alternatives Pregnancy Counselling
Centre. Iâve given their phone numbers and websites as sometimes theyâre
given out without it being clear who the organisation is.
The physical experience of a successful herbal abortion very much
depends on how long you were pregnant. If the herbs were used before the
second week of pregnancy the bleeding is likely to be a bit heavier than
a normal period with slightly more cramps than usual.
As the pregnancy advances the abortion is likely to be more intense with
more painful cramping and heavier bleeding for longer. If the pregnancy
has advanced enough, you will see yellowish tissue with branch-like
structures (chorionic villi), this tissue is usually enclosed in a blood
filled sac. This is the beginning of the placenta and somewhere inside
is the developing egg, which during the first 5 weeks will be as little
as 1-5mm.
As soon as bleeding begins herbs should be discontinued to allow the
body to do its thing. Expect a lot of blood but watch out for
haemorrhage.
You mustnât use tampons, as the cervix is still likely to be relaxed and
open thus making the uterus prone to infection. Itâs for the same reason
that you should avoid vaginal sex until you stop bleeding. using
menstrual pads or a cup allows you to monitor the bleeding and examine
what comes out. After the sac has been passed bleeding will slow down
and gradually stop. Bleeding should last for around ten days. If
bleeding lasts more than two weeks then it may be a sign of incomplete
abortion and should be checked out by a doctor. Bleeding only a small
amount, starting and stopping or spotting could also be signs of
incomplete abortion.
This depends on many factor e.g. your overall health, the strength of
your reproductive system, the quality of the herbs. The herbal abortion
could take as little as five days but usually longer. Do not take the
herbs for longer than fourteen days (as explained earlier).
Herbs are not a totally reliable method of abortion and you may not be
successful.
If spots of blood begin to appear but blood is not yet flowing properly
then youâre close but not there yet. You may want to consider increasing
dosages slightly at this point if you feel youâre developing a
tolerance. Or you could add another herb e.g. Dong Quai to increase
contractions, or parsley or Black Cohosh to soften and open up the
cervix.
If youâre not sure if whatâs happening to you is normal, or if you want
to confirm that your abortion was successful then you can go to the
doctor and say that youâve miscarried. You donât have to mention the
herbs if you donât want to, as theyâll treat you for miscarriage
complications the same either way. Bear in mind that you may be referred
to hospital straight away.
If you experience any of the following symptoms you should seek medical
attention right away:
expected but if you soak a menstrual pad in an hour or less this is
considered haemorrhage and must be treated immediately.
have a uterine infection caused by incomplete abortion.
particularly on one side, at any ponit during pregnancy you may have an
ectopic pregnancy which is very rare but extremely serious.
Symptoms of pregnancy should begin to disappear very soon after the
abortion (although itâll take at least 5â7 days for a pregnancy test to
read negative). Remember that the herbs and indeed the whole process is
hard on the body and you will have lost a lot of blood. You should rest
and eat healthy, good food rich in minerals and vitamins, especially
iron. Once the abortion is well underway and bleeding has slowed it
would be a good idea to drink nourishing herbal teas to rebalance and
rebuild your body:
for strengthening the immune system and warding off infection.
be used over a longer time period (three weeks on, one off).
prevent haemorrhage due to its high Iron and vitamin K content. It can
help rebuild the kidneys, which are often stressed during herbal
abortion. It can also help relieve general stress, muscle spasms and
cramping and has an overall high level of vitamins and minerals.
preventing haemorrhage.
energy, mild depression symptoms.
If you have any medical condition consult with a herbalist before using
any of these herbs. This is particularly important if you have high
blood pressure, epilepsy, diabetes, liver heart or kidney problems, and
IUD, or if you are prone to allergies. Also if youâve had a recent
pelvic inflammatory disease or if youâre taking any other drugs as the
herbs may dangerously alter the way the drugs would normally work, or
aggravate the medical condition being treated wit the drugs.
The most common problem with herbal abortion is that it fails to work.
There is no certainty that the herbs will work on everyone, no matter
how favourable the conditions are. If they donât work for you, the
pregnancy should not be continued, as there is a serious risk of birth
defects and complications during pregnancy.
There are several other risks you should be aware of before deciding to
do a herbal abortion. Whilst these results are all possible, they are
uncommon. Successful abortion is a far more likely outcome than any of
the medical complications listed below.
the liver or even death can result from overdosing on some of these
herbs. Do not exceed dosages listed here unless directed by a herbalist.
Reduce dosages at any signs of toxicity. Do not ingest essential oils as
they can be fatally poisonous, as in the case of pennyroyal, essential
oils must only be used externally. Remember not to take herbs for more
than two weeks.
possible to bleed to death. Soaking a menstrual pad in one hour or less
is considered haemorrhage so seek medical attention.
inside the uterus, and it can cause several serious problems:The tissue
can putrefy causing uterine infection which, if untreated, can result in
sterility or even death. The first sign of infection will be fever
followed by abdominal pain.The uterus is unable to return to its normal
size causing haemorrhage to occur. This may manifest as mild bleeding
which lasts for an abnormally long time or very heavy or profuse
bleeding. Both of these situations need immediate medical attention.
Most often a clinical abortion will be performed to remove the remaining
tissue. In the case of haemorrhage a blood transfusion may be required.
In the case of infection, antibiotics will be issued.
tissue is expelled. Bleeding may only be slight or may only last for a
few hours or a couple of days. Symptoms of pregnancy will persist, and a
pregnancy test is still going to read positive even after a week. If you
still have time you can persist with the herbs (remember not to exceed
the 14 day maximum time). A sonogram from the doctor or clinic will
confirm if the embryo is still alive, but either way, you will need to
seek a clinical abortion.
considered with any pregnancy, not just with herbal abortion. It is when
the egg becomes stuck in the fallopian tube and begins to grow there
instead of the uterus. This is a life-threatening situation as the
growing egg may rupture the fallopian tube. If you experience sharp pain
in the abdomen on one side you must seek immediate medical attention.
Many of the stories of successful herbal abortions that I have read talk
of things you can do to assist your progress, and so Iâve collected
these tips together. This list is simply a list of things that Iâve
heard and feel should be included but are circumstantial, and so are not
as reliable as the rest on the information in this pamphlet. I realise
that some of these things are what you least feel like doing in the
early stages of pregnancy while youâre feeling nauseous and tired.
However, you are aiming to stop the body in itâs tracks, and so doing
things that work against the natural impulse to protect your pregnancy
is what is required of you. Almost all of the success stories Iâve heard
have mentioned using at least one of these tips.
contractions and many women swear that they were the key to ensuring a
successful abortion. It could also be the relaxation of, and the
improved circulation to the pelvic area associated with sex or
masturbation that is also helping. There is also evidence to suggest
that Oxytocin (the hormone which causes uterine contractions) is
released during orgasm. This tip has been repeated by such a large
number of sources that I have to believe thereâs truth in it.
of sex is a good thing to do at this time â you can of course do it
during masturbation as well. The reason behind this one seems to be the
fact that oxytocin is released when the nipples are stimulated as it is
a hormone which also has a role in milk production.
Improving circulation will undoubtedly assist the herbs in their work,
whilst the motion and movement might be helping to dislodge the embryo
(I have heard nurses advising a woman to run up and down the stairs to
hasten the onset of her medical abortion (abortion pill)). Women have
talked of how exercise sends a message to the body that this is not a
good time to be pregnant. Generally being as physically active as
possible would assist sending this message.
be a factor in their success. This could be due to the fact that semen
contains a chemical to soften and open the cervix to help the semen
enter. However, Iâve also been told that this chemical is only present
in such small amounts that itâs not really useful for the purposes of
abortion. Either way, I donât see how it could hinder! Frequent sex
could also be beneficial for many reasons including those stated above.
Maybe the general motion and stimulation of the cervix during
penetrative sex is somehow useful in assisting the dislodging of the
embryo.
promoting circulation, but water so hot that it burns you is not at all
necessary â women burning themselves in desperation is a common old
wives tale, thereâs no benefit in doing it.
to use now. Some women believe that mentally focusing on releasing the
spirit of the embryo can help, also visualisation techniques involving
concentrating on the womb lining breaking down and blood flowing. It is
sometimes said that the power of a focused mind can be as powerful as
any medicine. Even if you donât practice meditation, focusing on the
reasons for not being pregnant could be crucial during this time as it
is a difficult process that requires determination.
bring on, and assist in childbirth would be useful.
acupuncture session intended to relieve painful periods was instrumental
in a herbal abortion. The woman in question reported feeling
contractions during the session and abortion was successfully underway
very soon afterwards. Iâve also heard that accupressure points can be
stimulated in such a way as to induce abortion, but unfortunately I have
no direct reference for this.
muscles
and could be effective as part of the general idea that activity and
motion send your body the message that now is not a good time be
pregnant. Iâve heard of one woman whoâs herbal abortion got underway
after an extremely bumpy ride in a 4x4 accross rough terrain.
Accompanying everyoneâs blood type is a positive or negative symbol
called the Rh factor, which denotes the presence of an antigen in the
red blood cells (if you are Rh+, you have the antigen, and if you are
Rh- you do not).
The following explanation applies to women who have Rh- blood types. Iâm
not at all certain how likely a scenario it is but as it is taken
seriously by the medical profession, I am drawing it to your attention.
Isoimmunisation is a process whereby when a women who is Rh- has a
foetus with Rh+ blood and a minute amount of foetal blood mixes with her
own. The womanâs immune system reacts to the presence of the antigen in
the foetal blood, producing antibodies to attack foetal blood cells.
There is a chance of this blood mixing happening during abortion or
miscarriage. This has implications for any future pregnancies this woman
has, because if the foetus is Rh+ again, her antibodies would attack its
blood cells causing severe anaemia in the foetus. If you believe you may
want to have children at some point, you should consider this
possibility.
If you have Rh- blood type and you have a successful herbal abortion, it
would be a good idea to visit the doctor within 72 hours of staring to
bleed as they can give you an injection to stop you producing antibodies
(it does this by fooling the body into thinking itâs already produced
them).
I have read that foetal blood only produces itâs Rh antigen in the
11^(th) week of pregnancy, thus at the early stage we are talking about
there would be no risk of isoimmunisation. However, I have not confirmed
this fact and so would be very unsure about discounting any risk.
The dosages Iâve given here are as precise as I can find. However, there
are many factors to be taken into consideration meaning that dosages can
never be exact. You must be prepared to use your own judgement and
intuition. Potencies of preparations can vary, some tinctures that you
buy are stronger than others are, and a herbs potency depends on factors
such as, quality, freshness and how itâs been stores. Different plants
of the same variety can also have varying amounts of any given chemical
because of naturally occurring factors. It is for this reason that when
beginning any herbal treatment you should start at the lowest in the
range of the dosages given, increasing or decreasing if necessary
depending on how you react, and whether you experience severe side
effects. Individuals may react differently to each other and personal
consideration can also play a part e.g. body weight, tolerance,
sensitivity.
Herbs are best bought fresh, however, are much easier to find in their
dried form. When buying dried herbs, try to ensure their overall
freshness. Herbs should smell fresh (not musty or mouldy) and look fresh
(flowers and leaves still having their colour). Store herbs in airtight
containers away from direct sunlight.
First choice for buying herbs in an independent health food shop or
herbalist in your town. Chain stores like Culpepper and Nealâs Yard
usually carry a good range too. You will be able to buy the exact
quantity you want and be able to check the quality. If you cannot find a
supplier in your town you could use mail order or online suppliers. Make
sure that they have fast delivery before you order, as herbs that take
weeks to arrive are no good to you.
There are numerous mail order places in the UK that sell some of the
relevant dried herbs and even more that sell fresh herbs. However, weâve
only listed ones we know do fast delivery and/or organic supplies.
including Dong Quai, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Rue, Pennyroyal,
Mugwort, Juniper, and Tansy.Fast delivery, online
orderingwww.baldwins.co.uksales@baldwins.co.ukShop: 171 Walworth Road,
London020 7703 5550 (9am-5.30pm, Mon-Sat)
invcluding Dong Quai, Blue Cohosh, Pennyroyal, Tansy and Rue and can
deliver in about 2â5 days. They work out reasonably cheap, but you have
to buy in large quantities.www.organicherbtrading.com01823 401205
organic)www.jekkasherbfarm.comfarm@jekkasherbfarm.com01454 418878
basic guide for a standard decoction or infusion is 500ml of water to
30g of dried herb. Dosages given assume this ratio unless otherwise
stated.When using the fresh leaves or flowers you will need to use three
measures as opposed to one of dried (e.g. three spoonfuls instead of
one) to account for the extra water content in the herb. Woody stems and
roots donât have a large water content and so the problem doesnât arise.
when using leaves, flowers and non-woody stems of the herb. Infusions
are also used when the substances you wish to obtain from the herb are
readily soluble in water or boiling would destroy if the properties you
need.A simple infusion is made simply by boiling water and pouring it
over the herb, and then covering it and leaving it to steep for 10â15
mins (or whatever specific time period is specified for that herb). This
can be done in a teapot or in a large jar with a lid, then strained and
drunk. You can make enough for several doses in one go but infusions
deteriorate rapidly so need to be made fresh each day.To make a stronger
infusion use a strong airtight jar (Pyrex or thick glass is required).
Pour the boiling water into the jar over the herb and leave for four
hours at room temperature. The advantage of using a jar is that the tea
can then be carried around with to make it easier to take your doses.
hard fibrous material (e.g. roots and barks). The herb and water are
placed in a pan and simmered on a low heat (do not boil) for ten to
fifteen minutes, or for a time period appropriate to that herb. A lid on
the pan will ensure no volatile oils escape. Decoctions must be used
before they begin to ferment which can be 1â2 days or even a few months
if capped and placed in the fridge.
palatability of the brew and increase the shelf life for up to six
months. A syrup requires equal amounts (by weight) of sugar to decoction
(e.g. 250ml decoction to 250g sugar). Honey is twice as sweet as sugar
and needs half as much (e.g. 250ml decoction to 125g honey). Add the
sweetener to the hot liquid. Increase the heat until the brew is almost
boiling and then take it off the heat. Pour the hot syrup into a
sterilized bottle and cap it. Once cooled the syrup could be stored in
the fridge.
properties than water and also acts as a preservative. Home made
tinctures are probably not as useful in this situation as they take at
least two weeks to make (some people think they should be left for six
weeks or more), but you may wish to make tinctures to keep for emergency
situations as, if stored well, they can last several years.The
advantages of tinctures are that they have a long shelf life, are easier
to carry around, are more concentrated (so that you donât need to ingest
as much fluid) and more potent.You will need to use alcohol of at least
30% (e.g. vodka) in order to have a high enough water/alcohol ratio, 50%
is ideal and will make a standard tincture (The dosages in this booklet
assume a standard tincture is being used). Higher percentages are much
more effective for extracting volatile oils and alkaloids. Use 125g of
dried herb or 250g of fresh herb. Pour 500ml alcohol onto the herb and
close the container tightly (an airtight container should be used). If
the herb and alcohol donât all fit in the jar then you can top it up the
next day when some of the alcohol has been soaked up by the herb.Using a
500ml jar and keeping it topped up is a good idea because spoilage is
more likely if there is an air gap in the jar and any plant material is
exposed to it. Keep the container in a warm place away from strong
sunlight and shake well once a day for at least two weeks (although some
say at least six weeks). Decant the bulk of the liquid and strain the
residue through muslin (wringing out the last drop). Store the tincture
in a dark, airtight bottle with a dated label on it.
(ascorbic acid)
Information about the use of vitamin C as an abortifacient has been
passed around the feminist community since the seventies. The Sister
Zeus website has numerous personal stories of woman whoâve used vitamin
C successfully, sometimes in combination with herbs, to terminate their
pregnancies.
Although vitamin C is not a herb, itâs one of the less toxic and most
easily found of anything available for terminating pregnancy. It also
has a good rate of effectiveness when compared with herbs used for the
same purpose.
Vitamin C can be used as an implantation inhibitor and as an
abortifacient:
As an implantation inhibitor: Vitamin C stimulates oestrogen and
inhibits progesterone which produces a very unfavourable climate within
the uterus. The result of this is that the egg will not implant itself
in the womb lining. (see âvitamin C as an emergency contraceptiveâ)
As an abortifacient: After implantation progesterone is still essential
for the continuing viability of pregnancy. This is because progesterone
is needed in order for the lining of the uterus to continue being
supportive of the fertilised egg and to prevent it from breaking down.
Vitamin C can and has produced abortion without the help of other herbs.
Joy Gardener writes âDonât combine this remedy with other teas mentioned
(she mentions Pennyroyal and Blue Cohosh) because they may counteract
each other. Women who have used both remedies simultaneously have had
less favourable results than those who used only one at a time. This may
be because vitamin C is a powerful anti-toxin, so it could nullify the
effects of the herbs.â This is unconfirmed.
One combination that has been successfully used on several occasions is
vitamin C with Dong Quai and Parsley. Vitamin C starves the uterus of
progesterone, and then after 5 days Dong Quai is added to strengthen
uterine contractions and expel the embryo. Parsley relaxes and softens
the cervix.
The best type to use is Ascorbic acid, although Joy Gardner writes that
calcium ascorbate or sodium ascorbate are also ok. Pure vitamin C is
best, although any of the many vitamin C products would be acceptable.
Choosing the product with the fewer additional ingredients would be
best, so that you avoid taking large amounts of sugar, flavourings and
other chemicals. It is suspected that bioflavinoids are added to vitamin
C to protect against miscarriage. It is essential therefore to choose a
product that contains no bioflavinoids. Rosehip is a bioflavinoid and
should also be avoided.
A range of dosages have been suggested from 6 grams per day to twelve
grams per day. From reading the personal accounts of herbal abortion on
the Sister Zeus website it seems that most success stories involve the
higher doses. I would advise taking 10 â 12 grams per day.
You should divide your total grams for the day into equal doses equally
spaced throughout the day, and as many times during the night as you can
manage.
Anyone with sensitive kidneys or any kind of kidney problems should not
use vitamin C. This is because excess amounts of vitamin C in the body
are eliminated through the kidneys which can put them under strain.
People who take anti-coagulants (e.g. aspirin), who have sickle cell
anaemia, or have difficulty metabolising vitamin C should consult a
doctor before taking mega-doses of vitamin C.
Most of the serious side effects involved with such high doses of
vitamin C are only applicable if such doses are sustained over a long
period. The 14 day usage we are talking about here mean that they are
unlikely to occur.
Abdominal cramps, hot flushes, rashes, constipation, gas and diarrhoea,
headache, fatigue, acid stomach and kidney irritation may occur.
www.mothernature.com have the following information about the safety of
vitamin C:
âVitamin C is non toxic at levels in excess of the RDA. Some individuals
develop diarrhoea from taking approx. 2,000 to 5,000 mg per day, while
even higher levels do not bother others. High levels of vitamin C can
deplete the body of the essential mineral copper, so take a
copper-containing multinutrient formula if youâre mega dosing on C. High
doses of vitamin C may also increase the risk of kidney stones in some
people, although studies indicate that those who do not have a history
of kidney stones, severe kidney disease or gout are not at risk. Because
vitamin C may increase iron absorption, check with a doctor if you
suffer from iron overload and want to take high doses of vitamin C.â
Joy Gardner expresses concerns that high doses of vitamin C makes the
kidneys used to excreting large quantities of vitamin C result in a
deficiency when high does are stopped. She suggests gradually decreasing
doses over the course of three days.
Two 500mg tablets (non-chewable) should be placed inside the vagina
immediately following unprotected sex or condom rupture and repeated
twice a day for three days. This increases the acid levels in the vagina
which should kill off the sperm. There is no guarantee that this will be
100% effective but it would greatly decrease the chances of sperm making
it to the egg. This may cause irritation; soothe with Aloe Vera.
Vitamin C can also be taken internally as an emergency contraceptive
during the time between conception and when menstruation is expected.
Sister Zeus does not believe it is as effective as the morning-after
pill, but it can be used if you are too late to use it (longer than 72
hours since conception). Follow the same procedure as using vitamin C as
an abortifacient above. The menstrual cycle has to complete itself, so
bleeding will not begin much earlier than usual as a result of taking
vitamin C.
(Angelica Sinesis)
Chinese, American and European angelica are three different plants of
the same variety. The Chinese variety, dong quai, is the most
scientifically researched of the group and reported to be the best for
use in herbal abortion. American and European varieties, while not as
well researched, both have reputations for having similar effects and
have been used by herbalists for generations. Angelica root decoction
syrup is reportedly used by some midwives to bring out the placenta
after labour. Dong Quaiâs name can be written as âdongâ or âdangâ, and
âquaiâ, âquoiâ or âguiâ.
The root is often referred to as âfemale ginsengâ and is described as
having an affinity with the female constitution. Dong Quai has two very
different effects on the uterus; it has the ability to stimulate
contractions, and also to relax the uterus and thereby inhibit
contractions. This effect depends on how you prepare the herb.
Dong Quaiâs relaxing effect on the uterus comes from volatile oils
contained in the root. Volatile means the oils are easily destroyed.
When the aim is to capture them, brew an infusion. The relaxing effect
of Dong Quai is useful for dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation).
When the aim is to stimulate strong co-ordinated, regular contractions
in order to bring on delayed menstruation or cause miscarriage/abortion,
then a decoction is used. The simmering of the herb destroys the oils,
thus leaving just the uterine stimulating properties.
There is disagreement as to whether a tincture is useful or not. Sister
Zeus says that a tincture is useful as the volatile oils are not
extracted into it. Uni Tiamat states that alcohol-based preparations
(such as tinctures) only produce the uterine relaxing effect. I havenât
been able to resolve this contradiction, so Iâd advise sticking to a
decoction or a syrup of a decoction.
The root is the part used. Look for quality products containing only the
root. Do not use the fresh herb, only use it dried. Toxins present in
the fresh root are eliminated by the drying process.
Decoction: Simmer the chopped dried root in a covered pan for 15â30
minutes. Drink a 250ml cup every three to four hours.
Tincture: 5â15 drops in a cup of warm water every four hours (although
some sources say not to use it this way).
Capsules: From reports on the Sister Zeus website, an effective dose
seems to be 1,000mg every four hours.
People with a history of cancer or who are at risk of heart attack
shouldnât use this herb. If you take blood-thinning agents like aspirin
do not use dong quai or other angelica as these have a tendency to
increase bleeding.
The one thatâs most concerning is the tendency to increase bleeding.
This raises concern when this herb is used to end pregnancy as it can
increase the risk for haemorrhage. If you decide to use this herb, pay
particular attention to how much you are bleeding. To decrease the risk
of haemorrhage, discontinue use of dong quai (or other angelica) once
bleeding is established.
Angelicas are phototoxic, this means if you are exposed to strong
sunlight after using the herb you may develop a rash. Insomnia may also
be a side effect. If you experience laboured breathing or weak and rapid
pulse reduce the dosage. Other possible side effects are dilated pupils
and stomach pain.
(Caulophyllum thalictroides)
Blue cohosh is a powerful herb from North America which has a wide
variety of uses. Native American Chippewa wise-women used a strong
decoction for contraceptive purposes. It is famed for its ability to
trigger and hasten childbirth and deliver the placenta.
Blue cohosh is often used alone or in combination with other herbs for
the regulation of the menstrual cycle and to ease painful menstrual
cramps. It is also used in formulas to treat endometriosis chlamydia and
cervical dysplasia. As a uterine tonic, it nourishes and revitalises the
uterine tissue in a variety of circumstances, including after pregnancy,
miscarriage, abortion or coming off the Pill.
Blue cohosh contains at least two substances that cause the uterus to
contract; oxytocin (a hormone produced during childbirth) and
caulosaponin, a unique substance found only in blue cohosh.
It is also an oestrogen herb, meaning it contains oestrogen-like
substances and can have oestrogen-like side effects (those with
oestrogen-dependant tumours should not use this herb). If you are not
supposed to use the Pill then you should not use this herb unless under
the guidance of your herbalist.
It is commonly used with pennyroyal (an abortifacient) and/or black
cohosh which helps soften the cervix and relax the os (the muscular
opening of the cervix). It also encourages co-ordinated uterine
contractions and according to some sources black cohosh is used to
temper the intensity of blue cohoshâs contractibility.
Susan Weed has a high opinion of Blue cohosh when it comes to
terminating pregnancy and spoke of using blue cohosh alone, although
Sister Zeus thinks itâs better in combination.
The root is the part of the plant to use. Some sources state that the
abortifacient qualities of this herb is best extracted in alcohol, avoid
glycerine based-based tinctures.
Uni Tiamat gives these dosages:
Decoction: Simmer for 20â30 minutes, 125ml-250ml three to four times a
day.
Tincture: ½ to 1½ teaspoons, three to four times a day.
Joy Gardener writes about pennyroyal and blue cohosh:
Put two tablespoons of blue cohosh, two tablespoons of pennyroyal and
two tablespoons of peppermint (to improve the taste, may have some mild
emmenagogue qualities) into a large jar. Boil 1½ litres of water and
pour over the herbs, cap tightly, steep for 20 minutes. Add honey if
desired. Drink in 5 to 6 doses throughout the day. She adds,
âmenstruation should start by the sixth day. Bleeding should be not more
than double your normal amount for the first day or two.â She notes that
American pennyroyal is stronger than European.
Susan Weed gives these doses
Blue cohosh should be taken as a tincture, 20 drops of tincture in a cup
of warm water every four hours.
OR 20 drops each of blue cohosh tincture, black cohosh tincture and
pennyroyal tincture (NOT the essential oil). Drink slowly in a cup of
warm water every four hours.
OR 2 tablespoons of dried blue cohosh root, 2 tablespoons of dried tansy
and 3 tablespoons of dried pennyroyal leaves. Put a litre of water in a
pan with the blue cohosh and bring to the boil. Put the other herbs into
a large strong jar and pour on the just-boiled blue cohosh mix. Tightly
screw on the lid and leave for thirty minutes. Reheat to drink. If you
want to use a tincture just miss out boiling the herb (but still boil
the water) and add 20 drops of tincture to the cup of tea when reheated.
She advises a maximum of five days of these treatments.
Caulosaponin (present in blue cohosh) also has the action of narrowing
the arteries to the heart so if you have a history of high or low blood
pressure, heart disease or stroke then you shouldnât use this herb.
Anyone with diabetes, glaucoma or kidney damage should consult a
herbalist.
Blue cohosh is an oestrogenic herb and has oestrogen-like side effects,
eg abnormal blood clotting, liver problems and oestrogen-dependant
tumours. Do not use if youâve been advised no to take the Pill.
Pain in the limbs, vomiting, pounding headaches. Reduce doses if you
experience these. Blue cohosh, like many of the abortifacient herbs, can
be taxing on the kidneys. To redress this, Uni Tiamat recommends
drinking nettle tea as part of your abortion aftercare.
(ruta graveolens)
Rue has been historically used as a tea to induce miscarriage by women
all over the world from the Mediterranean and Europe to Latin America
and North America. Rue contains two chemicals that we know have the
ability to cause abortion during early pregnancy. One is philocarpine,
which is used in veterinary medicine as an abortifacient for horses, the
other is rutin (or vitamin P) which hardens bones and teeth and
strengthens arteries and veins. Rutin decreases capillary permeability
in the uterine tissues, which causes the womb lining to become
non-nutritive to the fertilised egg. Rutin is sometimes available
separately in capsule form.
Infusion: 1â3 teaspoons per cup, 3 to 4 times daily. Boil the water
first then pour boiled water over the dried herb. Do not boil the herb
in water as this destroys the herbâs properties. Steep for ten minutes.
Tincture: 5â15 drops, 3 to 4 times a day.
Capsules: 1â4, 3 to 4 times a day.
People who have heart, liver or kidney problems shouldnât use rue.
Rue is a very strong herb, stimulating the uterus and nervous system.
Rue/Rutin should not be used in excess or on a prolonged basis as it can
cause kidney irritation and liver degeneration. The essential oil is
highly toxic and should never be used internally. When using rutin read
the label. Using rutin capsules may make you feel anxious or fearful due
to its effect of keeping adrenaline in the bloodstream. Reduce dosage if
you experience severe stomach pain, vomiting or convulsions.
American pennyroyal (hedeoma pulegoides)
European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
During American colonial times a tablespoon of brewers yeast was
frequently added to a freshly brewed cup of pennyroyal tea to induce
abortion. This combination is mentioned in Kingâs American Dispensatory
in the late 1800s as âreputed to be a safe and effective abortifacientâ.
Pennyroyal is a well-known abortifacient which causes the uterine
muscles to contract. It is said to be very effective and is sometimes
combined with Blue Cohosh or mugwort.
European pennyroyal is also known as Creeping Pennyroyal, Pudding Grass
or Cunningham Mint, with the taller version known as Upright Pennyroyal.
Joy Gardener notes that American pennyroyal is stronger than European.
The leaves and flower tops are the part used, and are effective as an
infusion, or as a tincture added to hot water. No more than four cups
(250ml each) a day, for no more than five days. Blue Cohosh can be mixed
to help with cramping; three recipes including pennyroyal are listed
under Blue Cohosh.
Infusion: Steep 15â30 minutes, 75ml-200ml every three to four hours.
Tincture: 20â60 drops (Âź to 1 teaspoon) every three to four hours.
If you have access to the fresh pennyroyal herb you can make an oil
infusion by soaking the fresh herb in olive oil. This preparation is
also for external use, it may be rubbed into the soles of the feet and
into the abdomen. There are uterine points on the Achilles tendon â
massaging them with pennyroyal-infused oil may also be helpful by
encouraging uterine contractions. The oil infusion is not as
concentrated as the essential oil, it will not irritate the skin and
more liberal amounts may be used.
The essential oil of pennyroyal should NEVER be used internally even n
small amounts: it is a deadly poison and it is not a pleasant way to
die. The essential oil may be used externally only, but as it is
extremely potent it can cause skin irritation. The tea poses little to
no fatality hazard. Uni Tiamat writes, âI have found pennyroyal leaf
infusion to be very effective and safe in my own herbal abortion
experience. Anyone with kidney disease or damage should not use
pennyroyalâ. Also, those with a history of kidney stones should avoid
pennyroyal. She notes that if you have not had results by one week then
discontinue, as extended use may damage the central nervous system,
kidneys and liver.
All abortifacients can be taxing on the kidneys and liver. Anyone with
health problems, especially with the liver and kidneys, should consult
with a herbalist or midwife before using any of these herbs.
Nausea, numbness in extremities, dizziness, sweating. Too much is highly
toxic and the essential oil is deadly. The most common side effect with
this herb seems to be nausea, reportedly affecting the majority of women
who use it. So if you choose to use pennyroyal then be aware of this,
plan to take it easy and expect not to feel your best.
(Daucus carota)
Whilst the Latin name is the same for the wild as for the cultivated
carrot, the plant is a different variety that commonly grows in hedges
and verges all over the UK. The seeds will either have to be gathered
from wild or bought from plant suppliers (but be very careful to specify
wild carrot seeds) as they are not available from herbal stockists. Be
aware that non-organic seed suppliers may have treated the seeds with
chemicals to increase their germination rates.
The Wild Carrot is also known as Queen Anneâs Lace in America (and
therefore in a lot of the reference for wild carrot as a contraceptive
and abortifacient). In the UK Queen Anneâs Lace is also sometimes the
common name for Cow Parsley, (anthriscus sylvestris) which is a
different plant and does not have the same properties. They are both
from the same family and have similar flowers. To gather Wild Carrot
seeds yourself you will need to find a good field guide to ensue correct
identification as several poisonous look-alike occur in the carrot
family. However, there is a reliable way to tell it apart from itâs look
alikes, and that is the distinctive bristly hairs on itâs stem (hence
the old saying âas sure as the hairs on Queen Anneâs legsâ)
Wild carrot seeds have been used for centuries by women all over the
world, and their effects have also recently been verified by scientific
study. Substances within the seeds have been shown to block progesterone
synthesis in pregnant animals. The substance (an antiprogestin) blocks
the receptor sites for progesterone in the womb lining, thus depriving
the womb of the progesterone that is needed to form a supportive
environment to the fertilised egg.
Wild Carrot seeds have a reputation as an effective implantation
inhibitor and have been used successfully as an emergency contraceptive.
They are also renowned as a natural contraceptive method. In order to
successfully use the seeds as a contraceptive you will need to monitor
your menstrual cycles and be able to predict when you will ovulate.
Seeds would be taken throughout your fertile period to prevent
pregnancy, and although I would not regard this as a fail-safe method I
have read reports from women who swear by it.
Chew one teaspoon of Wild Carrot seeds per day washed down with water.
(you must chew the seeds thoroughly otherwise they will pass through
your system without being digested.)
They can be used in several ways:
enough to prevent pregnancy, but modern herbal wisdom states that you
should continue for 7â10 days.
six days following ovulation.
Women with a history of kidney or gall stones should consult a herbalist
before using this herb.
Anyone taking the contraceptive pill, any other oestrogen medication
should avoid these herbs, as should anyone whoâs been advised against
taking estrogenic medication (like the contraceptive pill).
The majority of women report no side effects with this herb, although if
constipation occurs, increase the amount of water taken. As Wild Carrot
is an oestrogenic herb it can have oestrogen related side effects e.g.
abnormal blood clotting, liver problems, and oestrogen dependant
tumours.
Further reading on Wild Carrot seeds:
Carrot Museum at www.carrotmuseum.com and follow the link for âWildâ.
(Tanacetum Vulgare)
Tansy is best known for its insect repellent qualities but has been
reported since the eleventh century as having emmenagogual powers. Itâs
a fairly toxic plant containing the chemical thujone which causes
uterine contractions but is also a brian stimulant. Whilst this herb
must be used with caution, it is safe as long as doses are not exceeded.
Susan Weed reports it to be successful at inducing abortion even when
menstruation is several weeks late. It is possible (although
unconfirmed) that tansy and vitamin C cancel each other out, so they
shouldnât be used together.
The amount of thujone present in tansy is highly variable and some
plants can contain no traces of it while others produce oil up to 95%
thujone. Therefore with every new batch, start out at a low dose in
order to test your sensitivity, watching closely for side effects, and
increase the dose if necessary.
Dosage is contained in one of the recipes given in the blue cohosh
section where it is used along with pennyroyal. Tansy can also be used
on its own.
Infusion: Steep for 30 minutes. Use ½-1 teaspoon of dried herb per cup,
three to four times per day, for up to seven days.
Tincture: Ÿ-ž teaspoon in warm water, three to four times a day.
Anyone prone to epileptic seizures should not use tansy or any other
herb containing thujone. Never ingest essential oils â tansy is
particularly toxic.
Nausea, vomiting, inflammation of stomach lining, dilated pupils,
weakened or rapid pulse. Tansy has been known to cause temporary lumps
in breasts. Tansy can cause women who usually menstruate very heavily to
haemorrhage. It is phototoxic, so the user may develop skin rash or
blistering in strong sunlight. As with several other herbs in this
pamphlet, tansy could cause birth defects if the pregnancy were carried
to term.
(Artemisia Vulgaris)
Mugwort is a well known around the world as a menstrual promoter but not
much has been written about its powers as an abortifacient. Like Tansy
and juniper, it contains the uterine contractor chemical thujone, and so
is fairly toxic.
The leaves are the part of the plant used. Uni Tiamat writes that itâs
best when used ten days prior to the onset of menstruation and that itâs
often combined with pennyroyal or ginger.
Infusion: Steep for 15â20 minutes, take 1 teaspoon-1 tablespoon four to
six times a day.
Tincture: 30â60 drops (½-1 teaspoon) four to six times a day.
Nobody prone to epileptic seizures should use this herb or any other
herb containing thujone. Thujone is a teratogen and could cause severe
birth defects if the pregnancy were carried to term.
Possible side effects
Large prolonged doses (over two weeks) are said to injure the nervous
system.
(Juniperus Communis)
Juniper works as a uterine stimulant and, like mugwort and tansy, it
contains thujone so it is fairly toxic. It has a long history as an
abortifacient â the stereotypical use of a bottle of gin is derived from
the fact of gin being a form of week juniper tuncture!
One source claims that juniper is best used either in the first two
weeks of pregnancy or in the first few days after a missed period.
Juniper is reputed to work as an implantation inhibitor as well as an
abortifacient and has a reputation as a contraceptive.
Sometimes combined with Rue.
The berries and leaves are used.
Infusion: (ripe berries) Steep for 10â20 minutes. Take 60â80 mls 2â3
times a day
(leaves) steep for 10â20 ins take 1â3 tablespoons 2â3 times a day
Tincture: (ripe berries) 5â20 drops, 2â3 times a day
Oil: 1â3 drops 2â3 times a day
The root may have implantation-inhibiting properties but I have no
reference for appropriate doses.
Fully grown but unripe berries are said to contain higher concentrations
of essential oil and so dosages should be reduced if making preparations
with them.
Anyone with an existing kidney complaint or nerve damage should not use
juniper. As juniper contains thujone it should not be used by anyone
prone to epileptic seizures.
Juniper may interfere with the absorption of iron and other essential
minerals. May increase the volume of urine and give the urine the odour
of violets. Has a tendency to irritate the kidneys (follow up with
nettle tea to soothe kidneys after using Juniper).
(Gossypium Hirsutum)
Cotton root bark has a long history as an abortifacient amongst Native
American and African women. It is thought to have been used extensively
among slave women in cotton plantations in the USA after rape by slave
owners.
Cotton root contains gossypol, a substance sold in China for its ability
to reduce the male sperm count.
Chinese researchers have found that cotton root bark definitely contains
elements with the ability to disrupt pregnancy. It seems to work in two
ways. Firstly it acts on the corpus luteum which is a small yellow body
formed in the ovary that secretes progesterone to prepare the womb
lining for pregnancy. Cotton root disrupts this production of
progesterone. The second effect is that it increases receptor sites on
oxytocin-sensitive cells, in other words it increase the effect of
oxytocin, a hormone which causes uterine contractions.
The main problem with cotton root bark is that itâs very hard to obtain.
Commercially grown cotton should not be used as it is sprayed with
highly toxic chemicals, as the root is not intended for consumption. Use
only organically grown cotton.
Decoction: 100g of dried cotton root bark to 1 litre of water. Boil for
20â30 minutes until liquid is reduced to half. Take 2â4 tablespoons
every 30â60 minutes.
Tincture: 1â4 teaspoons every 30â60 minutes.
Susan Weed calls it âthe safest and most certain herbal abortifacientâ.
Although tests have shown prolonged use can be harmful (atrophy of the
uterine lining), for the times weâre talking about here (no more than 14
days) this shouldnât be a problem.
(petroselinum crispum)
Parsley is a mild emmenagogue (a stimulator of menstruation). It works
like a charm for starting menstruation when pregnancy is not the cause
for delay.
For terminating a pregnancy, parsley is a helper herb, relaxing the
cervix to aid in the release of material from the womb. When used by
itself it will not cause abortion. It can be used as a tea or as a
pessary and combines well with vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
This is a commonly used method. It directly affects the cervix,
softening it, helping it to open to prepare for release. Take 2â4 sprigs
of parsley, rinse and remove the larger part of the stem just below the
first leaf joint. After rinsing them, push them inside the vagina as far
back as you can, placing them against the cervix. They will feel bulky
at first, but they will often soften from your body heat. Change it
every twelve hours. To remove the pessary, reach inside with your first
two fingers and scoop out the softened herb, look for any blood, then
discard. Replace with fresh parsley. You could also tie a string around
the stems before insertion to assist in removal.
Whenever available, use the fresh herb. It is readily available in
greengrocers and supermarkets. Fill a small to medium sized pan with
water and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and add a handful or
two of chopped parsley, cover tightly and let it steep for 20â30
minutes. Strain the tea and compost the herb material. The resulting tea
is green in colour. If you donât like the taste you can sweeten it
and/or add milk.
Parsley is not toxic, but it should not be used by people with
inflammatory kidney problems or other kidney conditions.
There are no reported side effects.
(Cimicifuga racemosa)
This is an anti-spasmodic herb often used in conjunction with blue
cohosh. Black cohosh is unlikely to cause abortion unless combined with
other herbs. It is a helper herb, helping to prepare the cervix to
release the contents of the uterus. It is often combined with blue
cohosh, and it also combines well with vitamin C and dong quai.
Black cohosh is valuable for treating PMT, menstrual cramps, hormonal
imbalances and menopause symptoms. It also has a balancing effect on
hormone production, particularly oestrogen.
The root is the part used.
Decoction: simmer 1â4 tablespoons for 5â15 minutes, 3â4 times a day.
Tincture: Âź-1 teaspoon, 3â4 times a day.
Capsules: Dosages can be in the range of 500mg-1,000mg every four hours.
Infusion: Steep 2 teaspoons in 500ml of water. Take 2â3 tablespoons 6
times a day.
Black cohosh can depress heart rate. Anyone with any type of heart
disease should not use this herb. Due to its oestrogenic properties,
this herb should not be taken by anyone who has been advised not to take
the Pill. Black cohosh should not be combined with anti-depressants.
Dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea, headaches, shakes, low pulse, vomiting.
Side effects possible with prolonged use may include uterine irritation,
abdominal pain, abnormal blood clotting (which could cause problems when
using herbs to end pregnancy, such as possible haemorrhage), liver
problems. Because of its oestrogenic properties, it may also encourage
oestrogen-dependant tumours.
However, in five different studies using doses equivalent to 40 mg/day
of crude herb there were no case reports of toxic effects from the herb,
and there appears to be no specific toxicity associated with any of its
known constituents. A few side effects were noted; dizziness, headache
and weight gain.
(Zinzibar Officinalis)
This is a helper herb, not potent enough to cause abortion in its own.
Its readily available as a foodstuff and extremely effective at bringing
on menstruation when not pregnant. Susan Weed calls it âone of the
strongest and fastest acting emmenagoguesâ.
Ginger is believed to be very good at enhancing the effectiveness of any
other herbs with which it is combined.
The root is used.
Decoction: Simmer for 15â30 minutes. Take 2â4 tablespoons, 4â6 times a
day.
Tincture: 1â4 drops, 4â6 times a day.
Can be nauseating in large doses.
Hoffman, David. 1996. âThe Holistic Herbal â A Safe and Practical Guide
to Making and Using Herbal Remediesâ Element Books (an imprint of Harper
Collins). ISBN 0-00-713301-4
Chalker, Rebecca & Downer, Carol. 1992. âA Womanâs book of choices â
Abortion, Menstrual Extraction, RU486â Four Walls Eight Windows. ISBN
0-941423-86-7
Culpepper, Nicholas. First published 1649, 1983 edition edited by David
Potterton. âCulpepperâs Colour Herbalâ W. Foulsham & Co. Ltd. ISBN
0-572-01153-0
Riddle, John M. 1997. âEveâs Herbs â A History of Contraception and
Abortion in the Westâ Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-27026-6
Tiamat, Uni M. 1994. âHerbal Abortion â The fruit of the Tree of
Knowledgeâ Sage-Femme. ISBN 0-964520-3-7 (available from Sage-Femme 3457
N. University, Suite 120, Peoria, IL 61604â1322, USA)
Weed, Susan S. 1996. âWise Woman Herbal For the Childbearing Yearâ Ash
Tree Publishing. ISBN 0-9614620-0-0 Although this book is mainly about
herbs for pregnancy and childbirth it has a chapter at the beginning
about herbs to terminate pregnancy
The following book is quoted in this pamphlet but Iâve not actually been
able to find a copy of it. Anything Iâve got from it has been through
other sources.
Gardner, Joy 1985. âAbortion â A Personal Approachâ Heal Yourself Press,
Seattle, Washington, USA
Sister Zeus âFertility Awareness, Herbs affecting the Menstrual Cycle,
Herbal Contraception & Herbal Abortionâ This is a very comprehensive
website containing huge amounts of useful information. There is no other
website like it. The section where women give their personal accounts of
herbal abortion (called âSharing our wisdomâ) is an invaluable read
www.sister_zeus.com
Herbal Fertility Control: Contraception and Abortion
www.orgonelab.org/contracep.htm
This is for women going through herbal abortion and women who want to
support these women. This is an invaluable group providing support on a
practical and emotional level. There are several women very experienced
in guiding people through herbal abortion and many whoâve recently been
through it themselves. I strongly recommend joining this group, as you
will then have women on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may
have.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/herbal_abortion_support
Abortifacient â Any substance that has the ability to terminate
pregnancy. A term used to describe any strong Emmenagogue.
Antispasmodic â Relieves, or prevents spasms. Relaxes smooth muscles
like the uterus and the intestines.
Cervix â neck of the uterus located at the top of the vagina (cervical â
of, or relating to, the cervix)
Chorionic Villi â Root-like structures of the fertilised eggs cell
membrane, which attach to the uterus and from the placenta.
Corpus luteum â A yellow body which develops in the ovary after the
release of the egg. It only remains in existence if pregnancy has begun.
Decoction â A water-based herbal preparation where the water and herb
are simmered on the heat together in a pan. The recipe for a standard
decoction id given on page 25.
Ectopic Pregnancy â When the fertilised egg begins to develop outside
the womb (e.g. in the fallopian tube) which can be very serious as the
growing egg could rupture the fallopian tube.
Embryo â Human offspring in the first eight weeks from conception
Emmenagogue â Any substance that induces or hastens menstruation. In
this pamphlet itâs taken to mean a substance that is not strong enough
to cause abortion by itself but could induce menstruation if pregnancy
is not the cause (i.e. weak emmenagogues). There is overlap with the
term abortifacient as all abortifacients are emmenagogues, but not all
emmenagogues are abortifacients.
Fallopian tube â Either of the two muscular hollow arms of the uterus
that guide the egg to the uterus. Fertilisation usually occurs in the
fallopian tubes.
Foetus â A human offspring more than eight weeks since conception.
Haemorrhage â Profuse bleeding.
Infusion â A water-based herbal preparation where the water is boiled
first and then poured over the herb. The recipe foe a standard infusion
is given on page 25.
Oestrogen â A female hormone.
Os â The muscular opening to the uterus
Ovary â One of the pair of female reproductive glands that produces eggs
Ovulation â The releasing of eggs from the ovary. This happens on a
cyclical basis as part of the womanâs menstrual cycle.
Oxytocin â A hormone that induces contractions of the uterus.
Placenta â An organ which connects the foetus to the uterus, passing
nourishment to it through the umbilical cord.
Progesterone â A hormone produced by the corpus luteum causing the
uterine wall to become thicker and act as a fertile bed for the egg.
Steep â To soak in liquid
Teratogen â A substance that causes malformation of an embryo.
Tincture â A herbal preparation where the active ingredients of a plant
are extracted in alcohol. The recipe for a standard tincture is given on
page 26.
Uterus â the womb (uterine â of, or relating to, the womb)
Carried out by the Abortion Law Reform Assocation
Criteria set by health authorities for NHS abortion
BARNET: Priority categories for access to NHS abortion:
NB. these criteria are frequently not adhered to because of the weekly
quota system which operates at Barnet hospital. Appointments are
allocated on a first come first served basis. Cases are not referred for
clinical adjudication and appointments are allocated by the telephone
appointments secretary who cannot exercise clinical discretion.
CROYDON:
EAST SUSSEX, BRIGHTON & HOVE:
receives income support, family credit, job seekers allowance or
disability benefits)
considered home is within the Health Authority boundaries
currently residing in the following forms of temporary accommodation â
bed & breakfast, womenâs refuges, hostels
expectant mothers in an oppressive relationship where their partner
closely scrutinises or heavily restricts financial expenditure
as a direct result of their pregnancy.
NORTH WEST LANCASHIRE: (for non-NHS providers)
Act
SHROPSHIRE:
of three throughout her pregnancy, and who was finding it difficult to
cope
ill health or significant learning difficulties
risk of neglect or abuse
nurtured
WALSALL:
WILTSHIRE:
WOLVERHAMPTON:
Current NHS funding criteria â
service are NOT accepted unless there are EXCEPTIONAL circumstances.
Proposed new criteria for financial year 2000â2001 -
Intrauterine system, Depo-Provera (within 13 weeks of last injection),
Contraceptive Pill, Implant, Condom failure.
support for the potential child with a significant risk that they would
become or remain socially excluded. Some examples (and this list is not
exclusive) include she:
divorced
illness
the pregnant woman has experienced:
e.g.
pregnancy