Family Planning: Natural Contraceptives That Work

Family planning is important in a world that is often facing economic challenges.

The ups and downs could make a couple think of engaging the brakes when it comes to making a baby.

For instance, if you live in a developing country, chances are that the nation’s economy will encourage you to think of natural contraceptives.

Sadly, in these countries you will find reasons a couple would want to check the number of babies they would have.

In nations with an education system that is run by the private sector, a parent would likely consider family planning.

Sadly, the cost of sending a child to a good school could be very high, requiring proper planning and funding.

In countries like Nigeria with poor public schools, parents, who can afford private school fees, prefer them.

Therefore, it makes sense to seek natural contraceptives that would make family planning easier.

Here are a few that could work if you are looking for natural contraceptives.

Family Planning Natural Contraceptives

1. Uda [Negro Pepper]

Uda [Negro pepper] is a spice that you can add to your soup.

It adds an amazing aroma and taste to your soup.

To use, ensure that you remove the seed and use only the pulp. The seed is bitter and will spoil the soup.

However, beyond serving as a spice, a couple can use negro pepper for family planning.

Uda As A Cleansing Agent

In some clans, new mums get a load of this spice to cleanse their system of any left over blood after delivery.

Basically, the cleansing power also makes it anti-fertility spice.

Each time it is taken, it flushes. And it will flush the foetus if it finds one.

Interestingly, different studies say there is anti-fertility property in uda.

Compounds In Nigro Pepper

Negro pepper contains different compounds and some of them contribute to why it works as contraceptive.

It contains oxalate, phytate, saponins and tannins, as anti-nutrients.

Also, other minerals constituents of the fruit of Negro pepper are potassium, calcium and iron.

Others are magnesium, zinc, sodium, copper, manganese and phosphate (1).

Basically, saponin in negro pepper is an anti-fertility compound.

This compound is of high concentration and this makes the spice a contraceptive of high class.

According to a study, exposure to saponins reduces pregnancy rate in women (2).

Uda And Men’s Semen

For men, another study highlights how negro pepper can help stop fertilisation.

A study of the effects of negro pepper extract on male reproductive organ in Wistar rats is worthy of attention.

In the study, rats that got different doses of the extract for 28 days recorded a decrease in the semen parameters (count, motility).

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However, there was a non-significant decrease in the percentage of sperm with normal morphology.

According to the study, the testicular photomicrograph also shows dose dependent degenerative changes (3).

The study concluded that “the extract may have some anti-fertility effects”.

2. Castor Seeds For Family Planning

Another natural contraceptive that is effective for family planning is castor seed.

In 1999, a study found that castor seeds could serve as a contraceptive (4).

hulled castor seeds — ***Hulled Castor Seeds***

According to the animal study, focus was on the anti-implantation and antiovulation effects of castor bean extract.

At the end, the extract exhibited a pronounced decrease in maternal body weight gain and in death of all fetuses.”

Researches say “the data clearly indicate that the extract possess potent effects on implantation and ovulation in rabbits”.

Also, the protein contents of castor bean extract revealed the presence of several protein bands, ricin toxin being a major constituent of the extract.

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Furthermore, another study indicated that castor seeds contain ricin, one of the most toxic substances known (5).

Due to the presence of ricin, the seed may cause an acute and potentially fatal gastroenteritis.

Delayed internal organs’ damage is another serious complication. However, this is quite rare.

Also, this toxicity may cause diarrhea.

The toxicity largely depends on the amount of castor beans that you swallowed.

3. Alligator Pepper

Alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) is a spice that is widely used in many cultures for entertainment.

Some others use if for religious and traditional rites. Other uses are food flavor and as a part of many traditional doctors medications.

It is a common ingredient in pepper soup, a spicy delight in most parts of West Africa.

Alligator Pepper As Contraceptive

There are phytochemicals in alligator pepper that may have adverse effect on a pregnant woman. This happens if she takes it in the first trimester.

A 2009 animal study says pregnant rats fed with alligator pepper did not eventually give birth (6).

Some of the components of alligator pepper are humelene and caryophyllene.

While there are not much studies on the effect of these compounds on pregnancy, a study says avoiding the use of (Humulus lupulus) hops in pregnancy may be advisable (2).

Alligator Pepper And Gestational Weight Gain

Another study offers a different information about alligator pepper and pregnancy.

The study says alligator pepper could help reduce gestational weight gain significantly.

In the animal study, female rats that were fed high doses of alligator pepper extracts recorded a reduction in gestational weight gain (3).

Implication Of The Studies

In conclusion, from the studies, you could see that the effect of alligator pepper as contraceptive is dose dependent.

According to the first study, a large amount of alligator pepper, could serve as contraceptive.

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Basically, in low quantity, it reduces the chances of a woman gaining so much weight when pregnant.

If a little dose of 1.5mg could affect the weight of the foetus, a high dose would definitely affect pregnancy in its first trimester.

Most importantly, you should be mindful of taking foods with this spice in your first trimester.