Women throughout history have used herbal methods to prevent or disrupt pregnancy. Some contraceptive herbs can be used on as as-needed basis, while others must be taken regularly to establish effectiveness in the body. Little scientific evidence exists to support the use of herbal contraceptives. Do not rely on herbal contraceptive methods if you cannot tolerate some risk of pregnancy. Consult a medical professional before using herbal supplements at home.
Wild Yam
Midwife and herbalist Willa Shaffer conducted a study on the effectiveness of wild yam as a contraceptive in the 1980s. In her book “Wild Yam: Birth Control Without Fear,” Shaffer reported that that wild yam makes the female egg sterile but does not prevent ovulation. The natural birth control website Sister Zeus reports that wild yam may create a thick coating around the egg that sperm are unable to penetrate.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, wild yam contains a component known as diosgenin, which was used as an ingredient in birth control pills in the 1960s. Shaffer recommends taking three wild yam capsules twice daily; however, her book does not provide specific dosages. Sister Zeus cautions that you should take wild yam for at least two months before relying on it as a means of birth control. Wild yam may produce effects similar to estrogen, so do not use wild yam if you have a family history of hormone-related cancer or are pregnant or nursing.
Neem
Neem is a small evergreen tree in the mahogany family that is native to India. Neem oil may be useful for preventing pregnancy both before and after sex by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg. A 1996 study by the University of Florida showed that neem oil used after intercourse caused embryos to degenerate in mice. Sister Zeus reports that neem oil can be effective if taken internally as much as 10 days after implantation, but is most effective if taken within three days. Neem-based creams may also be effective as a spermicidal.
Queen Anne’s Lace
Hippocrates recommended the use of Queen Anne’s Lace, or wild carrot, in the fourth century B.C. to prevent and terminate pregnancy. If taken directly after intercourse, the seeds may prevent implantation. The Herb Companion reports that compounds in Queen Anne’s Lace may inhibit the production of progesterone, which is necessary to prepare the uterus for implantation.
References
- “Wild Yam: Birth Control Without Fear”; Willa Shaffer; 1994
- Sister Zeus: Wild Yam: An Herbal Contraceptive
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Wild Yam
- Sister Zeus: Herbal Contraception
- Sister Zeus: Neem and Birth Control
