Herbal Abortifacients Used by Folk People of Some Districts of Western Uttar Pradesh (India)

Abstract

Objective: Present study was intended to document the use of plant based preparations as abortifacient by folk people of five districts of Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: Data were collected by interviewing local traditional medicinemen of different villages. Results and Conclusion: A total of twenty-six claims were obtained. It appears that the knowledge of abortifacient properties of plants is fairly common in the study area but the extent of their actual use is difficult to assess because of social and legal complications involved.