Emmenagogue Herbs

Emmenagogue herbs are generally classified as those which will provoke menstruation.

They work in a variety of ways, but the end result is menstruation.

Abortificant herbs have historically been classified as emmenagogues but they are taken to cause abortion (miscarriage) not bring on menstruation.

The two classifications do overlap and it is not easy to differentiate between them. Many herbal authorities shy away from listing abortificants.

The action can be mild through strong depending on the herb.

You cannot rely on these herbs to produce a miscarriage if this is what you’re looking for.

Likewise, if you are pregnant and want to avoid a miscarriage, then you should not worry if you ingest some of these herbs.

The herbs in the ‘weak’ category are common herbs that you would find in normal cooking and should not damage or jeopardise a healthy embryo in culinary quantities.

Historically, women would use the stronger herbs to bring on menstruation if they did not want to be pregnant.

You need to remember we’re looking at a time before effective contraception - a time when people did not consider ‘fertile’ periods and contraception was an afterthought.

The herbs were not always effective, but enough women got the desired result that this knowledge was passed down through generations.

Women still attempt herbal abortions today. Success rates of around 45% are reported, but this would be hard to monitor or prove.

If you do try a herbal method, then you need to be committed to seeing it through – the stronger herbs may cause defects in the developing embryo and if the herbs fail, then you would need to be willing to take surgical measures.

Some may dismiss this as an old wives’ tale, but if you want to be pregnant, then you may do well to avoid the herbs in the ‘strong’ category during the early weeks of your pregnancy - it's better to err on the side of caution.

Emmenagogue Herbs

These are listed alphabetically.

Mild
Feverfew, Ginger, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage and Yarrow,.

Medium
Black Cohosh, Juniper, Mugwort, Parsley and Queen Anne's Lace Seeds.

Strong
Some of these herbs would be classed as abortificants.
Angelica (Dong Quai), Blue Cohosh, Birthwort, Celery Seed, Pennyroyal, Rue, Tansy and Vitamin C.

This is not a definitive list - there may be others that some herbalists would add, but these are the most common and easiest to acquire - some may even be growing in your garden - all will be easy to obtain from a herbalist.

If you suffer from irregular periods, then mild emmenagogue herbs may help you. They will stimulate menstruation. You will need to experiment to find the correct dosage for you.

Periods can be late for many reasons other than pregnancy, stress, poor diet, anxiety, travel - emmenagogue herbs are a useful remedy to combat these causes.

3 to 4 cups of parsley tea have been commonly reported to bring on a late period.

Ginger, yarrow, feverfew, rosemary and sage are alternatives.

Parsley appears in mild and medium - parsley is often used as a pessary (a tampon soaked in an infusion of parsley) along with a strong emmenagogue (for instance 500mg per hour of Vitamin C) to provoke a herbal abortion.

Information regarding these herbs is not intended as medical advice and nor does this site promote or advocate the termination of pregnancy.

Emmenagogue Herbs

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