[MPWG] Can You Help?

[Robyn Klein]

Judy,

I suspect that Sylphion was not an abortifacient.  Let me explain.  Note 
that the 1963 experiments of similar species prevented pregnancy, not 
caused a pregnancy to abort.  Though these are different herbs that were 
tested.  Still, I suggest this because I have heard stories by herbalists 
that attempts to cause abortion by women taking so-called abortifacient 
herbs are not often successful.  Someone correct me if they for sure know 
different.  Most herbs that are said to be abortifacient cause nasty side 
effects and potential harm to the woman, but are not very successful at 
aborting a healthy pregnancy.  Many herbalists suggest that a medical 
abortion is much safer.  Most herbalists don't want to talk about it since 
it is so controversial or they have no experience with this practice.

My point is that Sylphion more likely prevented ovulation and therefore 
prevented pregnancy in the first place.  It's important that these two 
pharmacological actions (inducing sterility and causing abortion) be 
clearly separated in any case because they are very different.

Some ethnobotanical writings have improperly used the word "oxytocic" 
instead of the more correct "emmenagogue."  An oxytocic "stimulates uterine 
contractions, accelerating childbirth, while an emmenagogue "promotes or 
assists the menstrual flow."  These are also very different pharmacological 
actions sometimes improperly substituted.

Dr. Riddle discusses the confusion between "abortifacient" and 
"emmenagogue," explaining that during some past historical times when 
abortion was illegal, women who found themselves pregnant and did not want 
to be would go to their pharmacist and say they needed an herb to help get 
their menstrual cycle regular again.  The pharmacist would understand the 
problem and give them an "emmenagogue" which was really meant to cause 
abortion.  Whether these herbs really worked as abortifacients is a 
question which I'm not sure has ever really been proven.  There are many 
such misunderstandings in the poisonous plant literature.

Robyn Klein