Abortifacients are substances that lead to miscarriage in a pregnant woman. Abortifacient herbs, commonly called miscarriage herbs, are used for premature end of pregnancy or abortion. These herbs for abortion were used as natural abortifacients in the earlier times by midwives and herbalists as a birth control measure. The examples of such natural miscarriage herbs include brewer's yeast, vitamin C, wild carrot, blue cohosh, black cohosh, slippery elm, pennyroyal, nutmeg, mugwort, papaya, vervain, common rue, ergot, saffron, neem seed oil and tansy.

Abortifacient herbs can be effective only when they are taken in right amount and at the right time by pregnant women who want to end their pregnancy. Abortifacients are most effective when used just before menstruation is due, or when menstruation is due. As time passes and a woman misses her menstrual period, these miscarriage herbs have lesser chances of inducing abortion. Any herb for abortion should not be taken after the 6th week of pregnancy (when week 1 is counted as starting with ovulation/conception). Methods for using abortifacient herbs should also be followed properly. Large amounts of these herbs for abortion can even lead to death of the pregnant woman. These miscarriage herbs should never be used internally in form of essential oil as they are extremely concentrated and poisonous. Only the bulk abortifacient herbs should be used in tea or in form of capsules, tinctures or oil infusions. Essential oils are different from oil infusions. Herbal oil infusions are made at home by soaking the fresh herb in olive oil and are generally used externally. One should always consult local herbalist, midwife or naturopath before taking any abortifacient herb.

List of Abortifacient Herbs

Abortifacients are very strong and powerful herbs that can lead to intended miscarriage as well as other unwarranted serious medical conditions as they can damage kidneys and liver. Therefore, these herbs for abortion should be used only for short periods of time. Many of these miscarriage herbs are toxic, and are not believed to be safe to use on a regular basis or for long periods of time. They should not be taken regularly on monthly basis for contraception (as birth control abortifacient). There are many abortifacient herbs, some of which are mentioned in the list below.

• Abrus Precatorius
• Annona Squamosa
• Ashwagandha
• Calotropis Procera
• Carica Papaya
• Crocus Sativus
• Henna
• Mesua Ferrea
• Momordica Charantia
• Peganum Harmala
• Piper Longum
• Plumbago Indica
• Plumbago Zeylanica