Using Herbs As Contraceptives

Before man was able to use barrier devices, hormone pills, and chemical spermicides contraception was handled by using pants and other natural things that were found in the forests nearby. There things included dung, honey, herbs and other plants. Many of these are still used with good results by women who prefer to have a natural method of birth control. These methods have not been studied like the ones used by modern women but they are believed to have good results for those who use them. There are some women who for reasons of health or allergies, religion or some other personal issue are unable to use modern methods and so these natural ones are often what they turn to. Sometimes, trying something that may only have minimal results is still better than using nothing. A woman who chooses to use herbal contraceptives must be careful that they do not wind up causing other health problems. It is wise to talk to an herbalist and perhaps even to your health care provider before beginning.

The herbal contraceptives fall into two categories. One is a daily contraceptive and the other is an implantation inhibitor. The ones that are used daily often need some time to build up in the body before they become effective. A midwife in the western part of the United States found that wild yam was a good contraceptive. She felt it worked well enough she even wrote a book about it. It needs to be taken twice a day, every day, for it to work effectively. Before being of any real use it must be taken for at least one cycle, though two cycles would be better, during which time another method should be used. Some herbalists believe that this works very well but there is just as many who think it is useless.

Neem oil is believed to have properties that make it a useful contraceptive that can be used by both partners. It comes from a tree that grows in India. The Neem oil is sold in India at stores to be used as a contraceptive, as well as for several other medicinal purposes. When women use it Neem oil is used as a spermicide. For men, who take it by mouth daily, it acts as a method of inducing temporary sterility. This is one herbal contraceptive that has shown definite results in preventing pregnancy.

The third well known natural contraceptive comes from the pomegranate which is a large red fruit. This one has some history behind it since it is known to have been used in ancient times with some success. The contraceptive ingredient is in the seeds. They hold a substance called oestrone with is very similar to estrogen. Due to this similarity it has properties that act as a contraceptive.

The inhibitors are a different family of herbs and they work to destroy the chances of the fertilized egg being able to implant in the uterus. These are taken after intercourse has taken place.

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