Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has a cousin in the okra plant, Hibiscus esculentus. Okra is originally from Africa. Three thousand years ago, Egyptians were cultivating okra plants.
African slaves and slave traders brought okra to the Americas. Enslaved women sometimes used okra to achieve abortions via “lubricating the uterine passages by a diet of these pods,”[263] and then inducing abortion with a uterine contracting herb. In West Africa, women today still use okra to induce an abortion.[264]
In Peru, hibiscus flowers were used historically to affect the fertility of both men and women.[265] Recent studies have confirmed that flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis have an anti-spermatogenetic effect in male mice.[266]
Scientific studies on animals and humans are confirming the use of hibiscus as an antifertility agent for the female sex. An antiestrogen effect has been shown in mice and rats.[267] The benzene extract of dried hibiscus flowers produced abortion in rats at a dose of 186 mg per kg.[268] The benzene extract of the dried flowers exhibit anti-implantation effects with 80% effectiveness in rats at a dose of 100 mg per kg.[269] An anti-follicle stimulating hormone activity was observed in rats that were given the ethanol extract of flowers at a dose of 150 mg per animal.[270] Antifertility effects have been shown in human females taking ethanol extracts of the dried flowers at a dose of 250 mg, three times a day, on the 7th through the 22nd day of the menstrual cycle.[271]
Gathering: The open flowers of hibiscus are gathered daily in early morning, and dried out of direct sunlight. Leaves may be gathered as needed. Bark and root are best gathered at night.
Preparation: Hibiscus flowers are usually used as a simple, but sometimes combined with papaya seeds, or Asian ginger to induce abortion. Hibiscus flowers are most often used in a hot water decoction during the first eight weeks of pregnancy. When purchasing dried hibiscus flowers, the buyer should be certain that the flowers of hibiscus are purchased, not the calyces (seed pods). The calyces of hibiscus are sold to make herb tea and a drink called Karkady or Agua de Jamaica, pronounced ha-ma-ike-ah in Spanish. Hibiscus calyces are sometimes known as flor de Jamaica, te de Jamaica, hibiscus flores, or even hibiscus flowers, but they are not the flowers; they are the calyx or seed pod. Around the world, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants are available to purchase as indoor potted plants, and continually flower all year indoors, given enough care, sunlight, and warmth. Purchasing a plant and gathering the blossoms to dry and store for later use may be the best option if the dried flowers are unavailable for purchase.
Words to the Wise: Hibiscus can be a host to whiteflies and aphids that can contribute to allergens and mold spores in and around hibiscus plants. If you are sensitive to allergens, protect yourself when harvesting from hibiscus. No specific signs of toxicity are noted for hibiscus; reduce dosage if negative side effects are experienced.
Signs of Toxicity Specific to Hibiscus: Unknown.
Emmenagogual Decoction: 1 cup fresh flowers to 2 pints (1 L) hot water, sipped throughout day, for up to ten days. OR 10 - 16 Tbs. of dried flowers to 2 pints (1 L) hot water, sipped throughout day, for up to ten days.
Horseradish
Horseradish was formerly much employed to produce abortion, frequently effecting this object, when other internal agents failed; it was used as follows: A saturated infusion of the recent roots in whiskey was made, of which 4 fluid ounces was the dose, repeating it 3 or 4 times every day, and continuing its use until the desired effect was produced.
-King's American Dispensary, 1898
AKA: Great raifort, mountain radish, rabano rusticana, red cole, wild horseradish.
Part Used: Root.
Medicinal Properties: Antiseptic, antiscorbutic, aperient, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, rubefacient, sialagogue, and stimulant.
Effects on the Body: Stimulates the digestion, promotes sweating thereby lowering fevers, loosens phlegm and moves it out of the system, and stimulates the immune system.
Abortifacient Action: Unknown.
Contains: Vitamin C and peroxidase enzyme.
Description: Horseradish is a long tapering root with brownish beige skin on the outside. Inside, it is very white. Above ground, the leaves can grow up to 3 - 5 feet tall (1 - 1.5 m). Horseradish has small white flowers and sterile seeds, but this is not a problem for horseradish propagates itself well via its root system.
The ancient Egyptians, as far back as 1500 BC, may have known horseradish, a native to Eastern Europe. The Greeks and Romans may also have known horseradish. They used a wild radish for its medicinal properties, which is believed by some to have been horseradish. Pliny the Elder, in Natural History said, "It's called wild radish, esteemed in Arcadia although it originated elsewhere. Besides encouraging urination, it's also very hot. In Italy it's also called armoracia."[272]
Horseradish was one of the five bitter herbs (along with coriander, horehound, lettuce, and nettle) historically eaten during the feast of the Passover. In present times, horseradish is still commonly used in the Passover Seder. In the Middle Ages, horseradish’s medicinal properties were still valued. Monks brought new herbs to remote areas; horseradish came to Scandinavia with monks around AD 1200. Native Americans of the Cherokee tribe utilized the abortifacient qualities of horseradish.[273]
Gathering: In early spring or fall after the second hard frost, roots that have grown to over one inch in diameter are harvested.
Preparation: Before and during the Jewish Passover holiday in early spring, many markets will stock fresh horseradish, as it is used to make the ‘bitter herb’ consumed as part of the ritual Seder plate. To select and prepare horseradish, a hard root that feels heavy for its size is chosen. Roots can be frozen for up to six months. To prepare the pungent horseradish into a tincture, gloves and a chemical respirator are worn. Contact lenses are removed. The root is scrubbed and green skin is removed with a peeler. Working outside, the pieces of the horseradish root are ground in a food processor, grated with a cheese grater, or chopped into small pieces with a chef’s knife. The fresh horseradish pieces are packed into a wide-mouthed glass jar and covered with alcohol. After preparing horseradish, hands must be washed well. Horseradish tincture is more effective if used during early pregnancy.
Words to the Wise: Horseradish can cause contact dermatitis. Horseradish should not be used by individuals with thyroid problems. Large quantities of horseradish can be poisonous due to its content of volatile oils. Horseradish oils can irritate stomach ulcers. Horseradish is considered safe for human consumption, however, cases of livestock poisoning occur when horseradish is used as fodder for animals. Horseradish contains glucosinolates. Glucosinolates contained in kale, cabbage, and broccoli can cause goiters in humans, however the toxicity frequency has dropped dramatically over the past few decades, as researchers have altered the quantity of toxic compounds by creating new cultivars with lower quantities of glucosinolates.
263
Edward Bancroft,
264
Joseph E. Holloway, ed.,
265
M.P. Singh, H. Singh and K.N. Vovpa, “Antifertility Activity of Benzene Extract of
266
A.O. Prakash, “Glycogen Contents in the Rat Uterus: Response to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. Extracts.”
267
S.D. Kholkute and K.N. Udupa, “Effects of
268
P.V. Tiwari, “Preliminary Clinical Trial on Flowers of
269
V.R. Ramirez, L.J. Mostacero, A.E. Garcia, C.F. Mesia, P.F. Pelaez, C.D. Medina and C.H. Miranda, “Vegetales Empleados en Medicina Tradicional Noreruana Banco Agrario del Peru & Nacl Univ Trujillo,”
270
Endang Purwaningsih, “The Effect of the Administration of
271
S.D. Kholkute, S. Chatterjee, D.N. Srivastava and K.N. Udupa, “Effect of
273
Paul B. Hamel and Mary U. Chiltoskey,