Buzz
Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, discussions have resurfaced about abortion practices before modern medicine. Historically, abortions were carried out using both surgical and herbal methods; Ben Franklin even documented a herbal abortion method in one of his publications. Recently, there has been significant conversation about at-home abortion techniques. Herbal methods might seem gentler than alternatives, but are they safe?
This kind of advice could be deadly. I’m not referring to the TikTok trend where users sarcastically warn, 'Oh, you definitely shouldn’t try pennyroyal tea...'—a style of post that’s currently flooding social media platforms.
What are the most effective herbs for inducing an abortion at home?
Honestly, none of them. If you require an abortion, begin by contacting clinics or helplines in or near your location. (The National Network of Abortion Funds can assist you in locating nearby support.) If you are in the early stages of pregnancy and seeking an at-home solution, misoprostol—used alone or with mifepristone—is what you need. These are pharmaceutical pills, not herbs. They are effective and safe. Prior to the overturning of Roe, 20 states allowed these pills to be legally mailed and used for abortion.
Currently, their legality may differ depending on your location, but these legitimate websites can help you obtain abortion medication:
Aidaccess.org
PlanCpills.org
WomenOnWeb.org
Safe2Choose.org
What’s the issue with using herbs?
Firstly, if you view herbs as a pleasant, natural, and soothing form of medication, you’re mistaken. While herbs have been (and still are) used medicinally, the experience is rarely as simple as enjoying a tasty tea and expecting to feel better. If you’re consuming something that only works as a placebo, that might be the case.
More often than not, medicinal 'herbs' are concentrated forms of potent plant-based toxins. Historically, people have faced severe side effects, including vomiting, organ damage, and even death.
Despite this, many of these herbs failed to achieve their intended effects. Some medical recipes were perpetuated because they appeared plausible or were part of a blend that seemed effective at least once. There are instances where medicinal recipes were inaccurately transcribed from one text to another and still circulated. It’s inconsistent to mock ancient physicians for practices like bloodletting while adopting herbal remedies from traditional midwives. Just because something was rumored to be used in the past doesn’t mean it’s safe or effective today.
Additionally, rumors are an unreliable foundation for medical practices. If you’re going to risk your health and well-being, you need more credible information than a TikTok user sarcastically advising you to definitely not brew a specific tea or consume an essential oil when your period is delayed.
Herbal abortions can be fatal
Using herbs to induce an abortion is dangerous, not just because it may fail. The most well-known abortifacient herbs have been linked to numerous deaths.
For instance, here are two documented cases of pennyroyal oil consumption from 1979. One woman consumed approximately 30 milliliters of the oil, likely in an attempt to induce an abortion or commit suicide. She arrived at the hospital vomiting blood and died two days later from internal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and other complications. The second case involved a woman who drank 10 milliliters of the oil, experienced severe dizziness, and was discharged after a few days with no liver damage. However, she remained pregnant.
Ironically, pennyroyal’s effectiveness as an abortifacient is questionable. Toxicologist Ryan Marino tweeted, 'The human data suggests it doesn’t work without poisoning the woman first.'
While some herbs might induce an abortion without being fatal, it’s worth considering whether you’ve truly exhausted all other options. Herbalist Crystal Honeycutt told Mic:
It is absolutely possible to induce an abortion [with herbs], but it’s a significant undertaking,” Honeycutt explained. “You’ll likely experience intense pain, emotional distress, and spiritual turmoil. Your body will be pushed to its limits, and you risk severe complications like hemorrhaging. The dangers associated with medical abortions are even greater with herbal methods.
The final sentence highlights a critical oversight in the promotion of herbal remedies: This is a medical procedure. You may be attempting it without knowing the correct dosage, potential side effects, success rates, or risks involved. Would you accept such uncertainty in any other medical context?
Additionally, the information available for DIY methods is often inconsistent and unclear. For instance, one website praises blue cohosh as a 'powerful ally for women,' yet the author admits it didn’t work for them. In a DNAinfo article on herbal abortions, some herbalists reportedly view this ambiguity as a positive, believing it leaves the outcome 'in God’s hands.'
A Reddit user who shared excerpts about abortifacients from her grandmother’s herbal notebook summed it up perfectly: 'Unless you’re completely okay with risking death over continuing a pregnancy, it’s not worth it. Explore pharmaceutical abortion options instead—even if you have to obtain them illegally, they’re far safer.'
