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tx
reproductive system
contraception
botanicals
primary herbs
This section is divided into the following categories: sterility promoting, implantation preventing, oxytocic, and emmenagogue herbs.
sterility promoting:
Cnicus benedictus: infusion of the entire plant was consumed in large amounts by the Quinault Indians to prevent conception (Weed, p. 5)
Lithospermum ruderale, officinale: cold infuse 1 tbsp. leaves and stems in 1 cup water.
instructions: drink 1 cup/day for 6 months (Weed, p. 5; Parvati, p. 57; Mitchell, p. 30)
implantation preventing:
Daucus carota: Take 1 tsp. seeds daily from ovulation through end of fertile period. No side-effects known with occasional use, but long-term effects unknown (Weed, p. 6)
Rutin and Vitamin C-containing herbs: use several days before through several days after ovulation: Fagopyrum esculentum, Ruta graveolens (toxic), Sambucus spp. (Weed, p. 6-7)
oxytocic:
Caulophyllum thalictroides (toxic): contains substances that mimic oxytocin to promote menstrual flow. Decoct 1 tbsp./cup of water.
instructions: Drink 1 cup three times daily (Nissim, p. 32; Parvati, p. 56)
Gossypium herbaceum: Decoct 1 tsp. root bark/cup of water.
instructions: take one tsp. hourly for 1-2 days or 1 cup three times daily for a maximum of 10 days. (Weed, p. 7; Nissim, p. 32)
emmenagogues:
Artemisia vulgaris: useful for amenorrhea especially with anemia, soft, thick lymph glands; infuse leaves and flowers using 1 tsp./cup of water.
instructions: drink 1 cup three times daily for a maximum of 6 days. Caution: Drinking an infusion of more than 40 g./liter can cause liver and kidney disorders (Nissim, p. 31)
Cimicifuga racemosa: decoct root using 1 tsp./cup of water. instructions: drink 1 cup three times daily for a maximum of 6 days (Nissim, p. 32)
Hedeoma pulegioides: use with caution only the hot infusion of dried leaves not essential oil; infuse 1 tsp. leaves/cup of water.
instructions: drink 1 cup three times daily for a maximum of 6 days (Nissim, p. 31)
Petroselinum sativum: stimulates smooth muscle contractions; decoct 1 tsp. fresh leaves and stems/cup of water.
instructions: drink 1 cup three times daily May also insert a fresh, clean stem of parsley into the cervical os and change twice a day for 3 days. (Weed, p. 10)
Tanacetum vulgare: use infusion of leaves and flowers 1 week before up to 2 weeks after menses due; or use 10 drops tincture every 2 waking hours until menses begins (Weed, p. 7)
Zingiber officinale: Decoct fresh grated root. instructions: drink 1-2 cups three times daily (Weed, p. 7; Parvati, p. 58)
complementary herbs
Caution: Do not exceed these dosages or durations.
tinctures of: Cimicifuga racemosa + Caulophyllum thalictroides (toxic) + Hedeoma pulegioides (toxic)
instructions: 20 drops of each tincture in 1 cup warm water, drink slowly. Repeat every 4 hours for no longer than 5 days. Continue one full day after menses starts. (Stansbury)
formula:
Caulophyllum thalictroides (toxic), 6 dr.
Hedeoma pulegioides (toxic), 2 dr.
instructions: 20 drops every 2 hours for 5 days (Stansbury)
formula: emmenagogue tea:
Caulophyllum thalictroides (toxic), 2 tbsp.
Hedeoma pulegioides (toxic), 3 tbsp.
Tanacetum vulgare, 2 tbsp.
Decoct the Caulophyllum then infuse the remaining herbs in the decoction for 30 minutes. Strain.
instructions: drink 1 hot cup every 4 hours up to 5 days. 1 tbsp. brewer's yeast added to every cup enhances effect. (Weed, p. 149)
footnotes