Plants used as abortifacients and emmenagogues by Spanish New Mexicans

Abstract

Individuals of Spanish and Mexican descent in New Mexico have used a number of plants as emmenagogues and abortifacients. Of the plants used, cotton root bark (Gossypium sp.), inmortal ((Asclepias capricornu Woodson), poleo chino (Hedeoma oblongifolia (Gray) Heller), rue Ruta graveolens L.), wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.), and three species of Artemesia seem to be used most widely. Of these, the cotton root bark, when used as an abortifacient, seems to exhibit the lowest toxicity. Rue is notable because of its use independently within different cultures, but may exhibit toxic side effects when used as an abortifacient. Seven other plants are outlined on the basis of anecdotal and folkloric reports. Investigations are underway to look at use effectiveness, side effects, impact on fertility, and acceptance among cultures of the Southwestern United States.

PIP: Spanish and Mexican descendents in New Mexico have used plants as emmenagogues and abortifacients to bring on their periods if pregnancy is suspected. The absence of menses in a woman must be treated as a disease because menses is believed to be the removal of bad blood. The most widely used plants are cotton root bark (Gossypium sp.), inmortal (Asclepias capricornu Woodson), wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.), poleo chino (Hedeoma oblongifolia), rue (Ruta graveolens L.), and 3 species of Aremesia. The cotton root bark, when used as an abortifacient, exhibits the lowest toxicity. Rue is used independently within different cultures but may exhibit toxic side effects when used as an abortifacient. The plants are used by 3 principal practitioners: 1) curanderos (healers), who tend to specialize in the care of certain diseases; 2) herbalists, who use many of the materials used in traditional medicine; and 3) brujos, who are sorcerers and witches. Other plants used are osha, chuchupate-lovage; ponso or tanse-tansy; poleo-spearmint or pennyroyal mint; amolillo-wild licorice; dormilon-tall cone flower; malva; and, lanten-plantain. The least toxic abortifacients are species of Gossypium, Ruta, Ligusticum, Asclepias, and Rudbeckia.