Ethno-medical study of plants used for terminating pregnancy.

An ethnobotanical survey conducted in 1986-87 in Northern Indias Sitapur and Aligarh Districts revealed widespread use of medicinal herbs as abortifacient agents among rural women. Both the leaf and root of Achyranthus aspera can be used. Of the 110 women interviewed who used the leaf of this plant 87 (79%) aborted a 1st-trimester pregnancy; of the 250 women who used the plants root 225 (90%) aborted. A 2nd remedy involves placement of a paste of the seeds of the herb Anona squamosa to the uterus; of the 120 women so treated 57 (47%) aborted. Use of 2 doses of 20-30 grams of Nigella sativa seed powder given at 48- hour intervals was reported by another 110 women 72 (66%) of whom aborted. The 4th method involves Plumbago zeylanica. Either the leaves of this plant can be chewed or a paste of the root can be applied to the vagina. Of the 240 women who used the paste of this plant 85 (74%) aborted. The rich herbal flora of India the high acceptability of folk medicine among rural and tribal populations and the apparent efficacy of certain plants in inducing abortion suggest a need for greater attention to the screening of medicinal herbs for their therapeutic uses.