Alternative Medicine: Controlling Your Cycle with Herbs

Modern medicine turned away from these natural remedies in the 19^th and early 20^th century, as midwives and medicine women were replaced with medical school trained and accredited doctors.

Near the end of the 20^th century and now in the 21^st, we have rediscovered the most basic of medicines: herbs. Everything we need can be found growing on this planet somewhere. Relearning this most ancient of knowledge is not only beneficial but will provide future generations with more options when it comes to their own wellness.

Of particular interest is a group of herbs known as emmenogogues. An emmenogogue is an herb or medication that encourages menstrual flow. A sub-category of emmenogogues is abortifacients. Abortifacients can either prevent or end a pregnancy. These herbs were classified as emmenogogues during the 13^th-18^th centuries, when knowledge of how to prevent or end a pregnancy was considered heresy. One could be persecuted as a witch, tortured and killed for helping young woman protect herself or end an unwanted pregnancy.

Emmenogogues are helpful to women who want to regulate or bring on a cycle. They work by creating contractions or by relaxing the walls of the uterus. Both actions tend to cause anything clinging to the uterine lining to slip loose and menstrual flow commences. Stronger herbs can stimulate the uterine contractions enough to cause a natural abortion that doesn't damage the tender tissues of the vaginal canal or the labia, as some surgical abortions can.

Other emmenogogues assist in preventing pregnancy from occurring at all. These herbs were especially despised by the male dominated church. Anything giving a woman control over her reproduction was considered an act of heresy and the woman in question was persecuted for the audacity to choose when and if she would be pregnant.

Herbs considered mild emmenogogues include parsley, ginger, yarrow, feverfew, rosemary and sage.

Medium strength herbs include Queen Anne's Lace Seeds, Black Cohosh mugwort, and juniper.

Strong emmenogogues can also be considered abortive. These include tansy, rue, Blue Cohosh and pennyroyal.

Herbs that can cause uterine contractions stimulate the production of oxytocin. Oxytocin is hormone that causes the gradual strengthening of contractions in pregnant women. By stimulating the body to produce this hormone, these herbs can cause the uterine lining to let go of anything clinging to it, allowing a late cycle to start, or removing any fertilized material from the womb gently, avoiding invasive methods.

Any herb taken with the intent to end a pregnancy should not be used lightly. Any and all steps should be taken to ensure a safe and natural conclusion to such a venture. We make no claim to absolute effectiveness, but speak from experience gained through trial, extensive research, and consultation with trained midwives, herbalists and doctors. We offer this information for educational purposes and encourage anyone who chooses such a path to carefully consider all options before beginning the process.

Some of these herbs are blue cohosh, cotton seed/root and angelica. Some consider marijuana among them, but it has not been shown to be as effective as a stimulant as other herbs in the family.

Controlling, increasing, or limiting fertility are not the only usages of emmenogogues. Many of these natural medicines can be combined in a tonic for overall health and well being.

Red Raspberry Leaf

Stimulates uterine muscles causing mild contractions. This stimulation builds up the strength of the uterus, and can help make contractions during labor more efficient. Using this herb in the early trimesters of any pregnancy is not recommended.

High in many vitamins and minerals essential to good health. Also boosts feminine immune system and aids in skin and bone health of a fetus (if present)

Slippery Elm

Inner bark mucilage used as a tea to soothe the digestive tract. Found to be useful in easing GI issues including irritable bowel syndrome.

Used to treat toothache, skin injuries, arthritis, coughs and intestinal worms.

Outer bark used as an effective abortive, by moistening then inserting the bark into the cervix. "Elm stick laws" regulated this practice in several US states, forbidding the sale or use of slippery elm bark longer enough to reach the cervix.

Wild Yam

Believed to benefit the liver and endocrine system. Also assists in regulating the feminine system during the menstrual cycle as well as menopause. Also used to treat infertility. When combined with slippery elm and stinging nettles, wild yam can act as an effective contraceptive.

Fennel

Used as a purgative, to induce bowel movements or loosen stool. Also thought to improve milk production in lactating women.

Stinging Nettles

Thought to stimulate lactation. One study showed the juice can be used as a diuretic in patience with congestive heart failure (from wikipedia.com).

Fresh nettles are used in folk remedies to stop all kinds of bleeding due to high Vitamin K content. Dried fennel contains almost no K, which makes it ideal as blood thinner.

Queen of the Meadow (Meadowsweet)

Effective treatment for stomach disorders in minute amounts

Excellent analgesic, anti-inflammatory and fever reducer. Also used as an antibacterial treatment in enemas and vaginal douched to treat infections.

Please be aware that all preceding information is based on personal experience and thorough research. Any herbal regimen should be carefully planned to not interfere or cause adverse reaction when taking over the counter or prescribed medications.