Herbal Birth Control Methods: Nature's Contraceptives

Hormonal method of birth control is one of the routinely used pregnancy prevention methodology in medical contraceptives category. Another method of preventing pregnancies is the usage of condoms and diaphragms.

Abstinence is practiced by religious people who do not want unwanted pregnancy. Creighton model is also gaining ground as another method. But, there are several other ways to prevent pregnancies. Herbal supplements and alternative medicinal methods are among other birth control methods being pursued by people. These methods were being followed in ancient civilizations.

It is better to get knowledgeable about these herbal birth control methods and their general efficacy in usage. It should also be noted  down that these alternative methods for use in the birth control process more than  often have doubtful accomplishments and do not convey realistic results in order to prove that their effectiveness is actually real and can be measured in a certain way. The modern experts simply do believe that some herbal medications simply do not work as they are claimed to be. The preparations of these herbal medications are not standard and they do not follow any fixed verifiable procedure. They do not possess any documentary proof about the efficacy of these herbal medications, and they simply rely on ancient texts and so-called testimonials to base their arguments in favor. So, one should also take precautionary conventional contraceptive pill or use condom while using herbal birth control preparations in order to actually avoid unwanted pregnancy.

There is one good herbal birth control product by name wild yam which is known to have contraceptive properties if prepared correctly. This herbal medication has to be taken two times a day with reasonable gap between the dosages for the medicine to work. There are some reports that say this wild yam preparation may prevent unwanted pregnancy for about a year or two before some strange behavior happens and the person in question gets pregnant despite herbal medication. There is absence of any scientific proof that bolsters the belief of efficacy of these herbal birth control products. It is entirely feasible that wild yam usage becomes less effective as the body develops tolerance over time.

Another herbal product, the pomegranate, has been in usage in several cultures for millennium, but several herbal and medical professionals dismiss it as a mere historical curiosity, not worthy of a mention in the list of herbal birth control medications. Oestrone, a substance that is similar to estrogen, is found in high concentrations in the seeds of pomegranates. According to some analyses, the seeds contain the high levels of oestrone among all plants. The utility of pomegranate seeds as contraceptives is not well recorder and its efficacy is uncertain, though historical artifacts depict women with these seeds indicating their routine usage in earlier times. It was deducted from these artifacts that these seeds are probably useful as contraceptives. It is still debatable whether these seeds are useful and whether they are really effective as contraceptives.

Queen Anne's Lace seeds are also claimed to have been made use of as a contraceptive. Here, there is some scientific data to buttress the claim. This medicinal herb can be used as and when it is needed without worrying about prolonged and sustained use. Generally it is consumed in the form of tincture form within the first 8 hours of meeting the sperm. Correct hormonal balance is required for it to work properly. That means this herb is useful only occasionally. So, when a woman has just given birth or just taken off medicine will have change of hormonal balance, and hence this herb will become ineffectual. Therefore, in this instance, some other kind of treatment or alternative needs to be considered.

Reference Websites:

http://www.helium.com/items/790551-contraceptive-herbal-birth-control
http://womenhealthsite.blogspot.com/2008/02/herbal-birth-control.html