There is no herb, combination of herbs, or food that is a safe and effective abortifacient (a drug that induces abortion). Not only are herbs not effective to safely induce abortion, they can also be highly dangerous. 

Some of the herbs commonly touted as safe and effective for abortion are mugwort, pennyroyal, tansy, thuja, safflower, scotch broom, rue, wormwood, yarrow, angelica, black and blue cohosh, ruda, parsley, fennel, chamomile, primrose, cinnamon, vitamin c, raspberry leaf, bearberey, queen anne’s lace, peppermint, oregano, anise, celery/celery seeds, and neem. 

These herbs are known as emmenagogues, which are basically herbs capable of bringing on a menstrual flow even when it’s not due. These types of herbs are also sometimes known as “herbs for delayed menses” The idea of trying to trigger a period when it is late can also be a subtle way of talking about using such herbs for abortion. There’s disagreement in scientific literature as to what actually makes an emmenagogue and emmenagogue, and some of the herbs often touted as abortifacients, like chamomile, would not even technically count as one to some experts. 

Some foods are also being touted as abortifacients. For instance, papaya and goji berries. The recommended use of these herbs and foods includes teas, direct ingestion, and topical application – such as insertion in the vagina. 

The amount of herbs required to induce an abortion can pose health risks. For instance, pennyroyal oil even in small doses can cause syncope, seizures, coma, cardiopulmonary collapse, acute liver damage, kidney damage and multiorgan failure. Putting parsley in the vagina can lead to septic shock or infection. 

One of the reasons why some of these herbs have been used in the past for abortion is because they are basically poisoning you, which can pose great risk to the body. They can also cause adverse topical reactions if applied directly to the body or especially inside the body. And if the abortion isn’t successful, such herbs have the potential to cause damage to the fetus. 

Data backs up the use of herbs as an approach to abortion as well as the risks involved. One 2003 retrospective survey examined calls received by a poison clinic in Montevideo between 1986 and 1999 concerning the ingestion of herbs for the purpose of inducing an abortion. They found 86 cases involving 30 different plant species. Multiple people experienced organ system failure and one person died. This was likely an undercount and is just one study. 

Many of these herbs and foods can also still cause harm even if you are not pregnant, which is concerning because some people may take herbs just suspecting that they might be pregnant because they have them at their disposal.

In the wake of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, people are turning to the internet to crowdsource abortion information. This increase aligns with data and was expected. 

One of the misinformation narratives spreading online is that herbs can be used safely and effectively for abortion. These narratives pose risk to people looking for quality information about their reproductive health.