Is Ashwagandha an abortifacient?

Is Ashwagandha an abortifacient?

Finally, the recorded data on other herbs are contradictory; for example, Ashwagandha has been described as an abortifacient yet was used historically to prevent miscarriage.

What was pennyroyal used for in the 1800s?

American pennyroyal was used extensively by Native Americans to treat a variety of ailments from headache and stomach distress to itching , watery eyes, and fevers. For external use, the leaves were crushed and applied to the skin to repel mosquitoes and other insects.

What is abortifacient used for?

ABORTIFACIENTS. An abortifacient is any substance that is used to terminate a pregnancy (Box 17-2). Historically, lead and quinine have been used as abortifacients, but now over-the-counter preparations such as acetaminophen, aspirin, iron, and herbal preparations are more commonly used to induce abortion.

Is pennyroyal an abortifacient?

Introduction. Pennyroyal is an herbal extract or oil derived from leaves of the plant in the mint genus (Mentha pulegium) that was used in the past as an insect repellent and an abortifacient. When taken by mouth, pennyroyal oil is highly toxic and has been linked to several instances of toxic liver injury and death.

Why is pennyroyal toxic?

Pennyroyal oil contains pulegone, which is highly toxic, particularly to the liver. Ingestion can lead initially to gastrointestinal distress such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Later on, it can lead to failure of the liver and kidneys, resulting in bleeding, seizures, multiple organ failure, and death.

What is the brand name of mifepristone?

Mifepristone is available under the following different brand names: Mifeprex, Korlym, and RU486.

Which drug acts as an abortifacient?

The most common agents of modern medical abortion include mifepristone (also known as RU-486), a steroid, and methotrexate, an antimetabolite; both are used during the early weeks of pregnancy in conjunction with the synthetic prostaglandin misoprostol.