At a time when population explosion, unintended pregnancies and
sexually-transmitted diseases continue to cause major public health issues world-wide,
it’ll be interesting to know how an ancient healthcare system like Ayurveda
dealt with such problems. Vaidya Lakshmi Anoop writes:-
Procreation and no creation, Ayurveda has ways to deal with them.
Ayurveda suggests Vajikarana therapy for those who wish to conceive. On
the other hand, Ayurveda has many suggestions for those in need of natural
contraceptives.
Like in other areas of healthcare, Ayurveda has developed many methods
in the practice of contraception. Safe period, coitus interruptus and other
contraceptive methods have been described very well in Ayurveda texts.
References about practice of contraception have been available since the period
of the Vedas. Clinical studies later proved these drugs to be efficacious in
contraception and without any side-effects.
Modern methods
In today’s world, halting conception is not that difficult, for we’ve
various contraceptives like condoms, spermicidal gels and intra-uterine devices
besides surgical measures. Not all contraceptive methods are appropriate for
all situations, and the most appropriate method of birth control depends on a
woman’s overall health, age, frequency of sexual activity, number of sexual
partners, desire to have children in the future, and family history of certain
diseases.
However, the failure rate of many of these contraceptive methods is
high. Hormonal contraceptives and intra-uterine devices like Copper-T are
reported to generate incidents of side-effects. Surgical sterilization in males
can also cause side-effects. Available local contraceptive measures do not give
100 percent surety of prevention of conception.
Contraceptives in Ayurveda
Ayurveda suggests a low-cost, user-friendly, reliable and side-effect
free approach for family planning, which is the need of the hour. Many research
works are on-going in this area. Even the Government of India has recognised
the role of indigenous systems of medicine in population control. The Central
Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, New Delhi, and the Central Drug
Research Institute, Lucknow, are undertaking a lot of research projects on
indigenous contraceptive methods.
Regulated sexual life or abstinence from sex was considered as the
method of contraception in Ayurvedic classics. Ayurveda treatises like Bhava
Prakash, Yoga Ratnakara, Bhaishajya Ratnavali etc have mentioned about
different combinations of herbal and herbo-mineral contraceptive preparations
for local as well as oral use by men and women.
Single herbal drugs mentioned in ayurvedic texts are found to have
anti-ovulatory and anti-implantation activities on pharmacological screening.
Research on the properties of the herbs proved their efficacy.
Vidanga (Emblica ribes) — Research studies show that it possesses 83 percent
antifertility activity.
Talisa (Abies webbiana) – Research showed that it possesses 51 per cent
anti-implantation activity.
Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) – It showed anti-fertility, anti-implantation,
anti-oestrogenic, anti-ovulatory, anti-gonadotrophic activities.
Nimba (Azadirachta indica) – Its bark extract possesses spermicidal activity.
It also showed significant decline of sperm motility and sperm density.
Fructose concentration of seminal vesicles was significantly reduced.
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) – It possesses anti-implantation, anti-zygotic,
abortifacient properties.
Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea) – It possesses anti-implantation facilities.
Japakusuma (Hibiscus rosa sinensis) – Research studies showed that benzene extract
has 100 percent antifertility effect. It also possesses anti-spermatogenic,
anti-ovulatory, anti-implantation, abortifacient properties. It exhibited a
post coital antifertility effect in 80 per cent treated rats.
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaves — They significantly reduce sperm count and
motility, increase testosterone levels and decrease LH and FSH. They possess a
spermatogenic effect. Studies showed that the contraceptive effect of Tulsi
in male was comparable to female contraceptive pills, which were also
reversible.
Haridra (Curcuma longa) – Studies showed that intra-vaginal administration of
curcuma caused reduction in fertility. It results in reversible suppression of
spermatogenesis and fertility, thereby suggesting the potential of this plant
to regulate male fertility. They produce an anti-andro-genic effect.
Local contraceptives for females
Vaginal application of moistened Saindhava lavana (rock salt)
with Tila taila (gingerly oil) before coitus.
Fumigation of vaginal canal with wood of Neem before coitus.
Filling the vaginal canal with Dhattura root (Dattura metal) powder
which is uprooted during 14th day of the first fortnight of lunar
month.
The seed of shireesha (Albizia lebbeck) is a potent spermicide.
It immobilises the human sperm in one minute. It possesses an anti-ovulatory
and anti-fertility effect. Females can use it as a local application.
Neem oil (Azadirachta indica) When applied locally, acts as a vaginal
contraceptive. It possesses spermicidal, anti-ovulatory and anti-implantation
effects.
Oral contraceptives for females
Talisapatra powder (Abies webbiana) and Gairika (Red Ochre, Fe203) in equal parts
in the dose of 1 karsha (12 gm) acts as a contraceptive.
Paste of Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) root mixed with Nirgundi
(Vitex negundo) juice and administered in the dose of one karsha (12 gm)
is an effective contraceptive.
Powder of sharshapa seeds (Brassica campestris), Tandulam
(Amaranthus spinosus), Sarkara (Sugar candy) pound with Tandulodaka (rice
water) when taken with milk prevents conception.
Powders of amla (Embilca officinalis), Arjuna (Terminalia
arjuna) and Abhaya (Terminalia chebula), along with water, make the
follicular development ineffective.
Haridra (Curcuma longa) rhizome, having knot, is to be given one rhizome per
day during the three days of menstruation and continued for another three days.
Powder of Krishna Jeeraka (Carum carvi), Kachooram
(Hedychium spicatum), Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea), Haritaki
(Terminalia chebula), Kalonji (Nigella sativa), Kayaphala (Myrica
nagi) is to be mixed and given as pills in the size of ziziphus fruit (red
date) for seven days.
Flowers of Japa (Hibiscus rosa sinensis), if taken immediately
after the delivery of a child, is said to prevent future conception.
The entire seeds of cotyledons of white variety of Gunja (Abrus
precatorius), after removing the epicarp, are to be soaked in water for one
night. Administration of the potion on the fourth, fifth and sixth day of
menstruation is stated to prevent misconception for three years.
Pippali (Piper longum), Vidanga (Embelia ribes) and Tankana
(borax), made into a powder in equal quantities, and taken with milk during the
fertile phase, is an effective contraceptive. Experimental studies proved its
efficacy and there were only two failures amongst 458 users. There is no adverse
effect on lactation or any other side-effects. The reversibility of fertility
is stated to be immediate after withdrawal of medication.
Oral contraceptives for males
The herb Arka (Calotropis gigantea) inhibits spermatogenesis and
acts as oral contraceptives for males. Calotropin, a novel compound, is
responsible for fertility control.
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaves when administered in the dose of 2 mg daily
acts as an effective anti-fertility agent in males.
Haridra (Curcuma longa) extracts induce fertility control in male.
The natural birth control methods mentioned in Ayurvedic texts
helps to minimise chances of unwanted pregnancies and prevent
sexually-transmitted diseases. Contraceptive methods were in use since the time
of Vedas. Unlike hormonal or other contraceptive methods, Ayurvedic
contraceptives are free from side effects and are effective. So this vast field
has to be researched more for benefitting mankind.
(The author Vaidya Lakshmi Anoop is a practicing Ayurvedic physician
based in Jaipur.)
