Carrot Seed (Daucus Carota): The Ancient Contraceptive
Carrot Seed, also known as Queen Anne’s Lace, is a common plant that has been used for centuries as a natural contraceptive. Its seeds, harvested in the fall, have been found to be highly effective in preventing conception when taken orally immediately after sex. Extracts of the seeds have been tested on rodents, including rats, mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits, with very high efficacy. And there are several human studies with similar results.
Historical Evidence
The use of Wild Carrot Seed as a contraceptive dates back more than 2,000 years. In ancient times, Hippocrates described the use of wild carrot as an oral contraceptive. The oldest known reference to wild carrot seed for this purpose is attributed to Hippocrates. Carrot Seed has also been used historically as a natural remedy for menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, and other women’s health issues. The wild carrot plant is from the giant fennel family and an early plant called Silphium was used in the 4th century as a contraceptive. So effective it was that it was harvested to extinction. The wild carrot is of this family.
Research
In a reported case study from North Carolina, a woman claimed that she took a tablespoon of wild carrot seeds in a glass of water immediately after sex and did not get pregnant for ten years. She claimed that this method worked until she went on vacation with her husband and forgot to take the seeds, resulting in pregnancy. Although anecdotal, many similar case studies have been recorded, with thousands reported in the past. Some years ago, a forum had recorded thousands of such cases, but it is no longer operational.
In recent times, several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of Carrot Seed as a natural contraceptive. One study involving 30 women found that Wild Carrot Seed, taken three times every 8 hours after intercourse, was 94% effective in preventing conception. This is quite effective but interestingly, of the nine pregnancies recorded during the study, at least half of the women were not following the protocol, indicating the seed may be even more effective than 94%.
In a study involving 30 women, the consumption of carrot seed three times, every eight hours after intercourse was found to be 94% effective in preventing conception. The study recorded 731 instances of intercourse, including 160 during fertile phases, with nine resulting in pregnancies, leading to a 94.375% prevention rate. However, it seems that at least half of the pregnancies occurred in women who did not follow the protocol.
Among the women who conceived while following the protocol, the first woman became pregnant after four months, experiencing discomfort, painful breasts, and shorter menstrual cycles during this period, indicating that the plant was not the best fit for her, likely because something else was going on in her body unaddressed.
The second woman to conceive had five previous unintended pregnancies while using birth control pills, condoms (three times), and a sponge.
The third woman wanted to conceive during this time, raising questions about her faithfulness to the protocol. She also stated that the seeds “may have been damaged by the weather.”
The fourth woman conceived after eight months of using the seeds, having consumed wild carrot for almost a year before the study.
It appears that if a woman experiences noticeable changes in menstruation, the seeds may not be effective for her.
How to use:
For optimal results, consume the seeds in three doses:
- First dose: 8-12 hours surrounding the potential fertilization
- Second dose: 8 hours after the first dose
- Third dose: 8 hours after the second dose
After the third dose, discontinue use. More is not better in this case.
Dried Seeds:
Select one of the following methods:
- Chew a teaspoon of dried seeds well and swallow with juice or water on an empty stomach. This is the oldest historical method of consuming Queen Anne’s Lace for implantation inhibition.
- Grind a teaspoon of dried seeds using a mortar and pestle or a clean coffee grinder, and mix it with a small amount of juice or water. Take on an empty stomach. (if seeds are burnt or heated they lose their value)
- Grind a teaspoon of dried seeds using a mortar and pestle or a clean coffee grinder, and put it in a cup. Pour 8oz of boiling water over the seeds and let it steep for 15 minutes. Consume it on an empty stomach. (least proven method although case studies show it to be largely effective)
Dried Flowers:
- Put 2-3 dried flower heads in a teacup. Pour 8oz of boiling water over the flowers and let it steep for 15 minutes. Consume it on an empty stomach.
Fresh Seeds:
Use the seeds in a tincture, as explained below:
Fresh Flowers:
Select one of the following methods:
- Put 3-6 fresh flower heads in a teacup. Pour 8oz of boiling water over the flowers and let it steep for 15 minutes. Consume it on an empty stomach.
Tincture:
Take 30-60 drops of tincture in a small glass with a few tablespoons of cool water on an empty stomach.
How most women have used it effectively
Approximately 8 hours after intercourse, one teaspoon of seeds should be chewed. (Note that many women find this to be the least pleasant way of taking wild carrot)
Historically and in modern times, women have used wild carrot seeds (and flowers) in a variety of ways. Some of these are as follows:
- Ground seed is stirred into water for drinking.
- Ground seed is rolled into a honey ball and taken.
- Ground seed is rolled into a ball with nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.). Several women have reported enjoying using the seeds this way.
If you are having intercourse during the fertile phase, some women repeat the dosage of wild carrot (seeds or tincture) approximately 8 hours apart. Pay attention to sensations in your body and intuition regarding how many subsequent times you take wild carrot.
If using tincture, the minimum amount women used in effective studies was 15 drops of flower and 15 drops of seed in water each time. Maximum amounts used in studies were 30 drops each.
There are still several questions science has yet to answer. Should wild carrot seed be used sparingly, rather than continuously. Historical evidence seems to indicate yes, 3 doses and stop is more effective than taking it continuously or indefinitely. If wild carrot seed produces any negative impacts it should be discontinued and the cause located. In the women who conceived while taking wild carrot, all reported healthy outcomes and healthy babies.
Neem
Unlike wild carrot seed, Neem is more effective the longer it is used. It is a highly effective contraceptive that should be taken by both husband and wife.
Men: Take two 800-900mg Neem leaf capsules, three times a day before meals. It takes at least 4 weeks to take effect, possibly 6 in some cases. Neem should be taken daily, indefinitely, until pregnancy is desired.
Women: 1000mg of neem extract kills all sperm within 5 minutes. Neem oil appears to be the most effective form, and hexane-extracted neem oil is the best. After a single injection of a minute amount of neem oil in the uterine horns, a strong cell-mediated immune response reaction produced a long-term (up to 12 months) and reversible block in fertility, with no changes in menstrual cycles or ovarian function. This is the most effective contraceptive known scientifically but the medical field is hesitant to use it because there is no way to profit from it.
While topical application is the most effective method, Neem oil taken orally was also shown to have a contraceptive effect. In a 1984 study, 24 women were given 1000mg of Neem oil 3 times a day. After 6 months, they were instructed to have intercourse, especially during their fertile periods. The study was discontinued after 2 years with zero pregnancies. The women reported unexpected but positive side-effects related to skin, hair, and general health.
In a study of monkeys, a single administration of 1 ml of neem oil by an intrauterine insemination catheter blocked fertility for 7 to 12 months. However, the effect was reversible, as all the animals subsequently became pregnant and delivered normal babies. The neem oil treatment had no adverse effects on menstrual cyclicity and ovarian functions. The uterus of neem-treated animals showed normal morphology.[1]GP;, U.S.D.S.S.M.G.T. (1994) Long-term contraceptive effects of intrauterine neem treatment (IUNT) in bonnet monkeys: An alternate to intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD), Contraception. U.S. … Continue reading
So, injection is probably 100% effective, as almost every study has indicated that no matter the model.
Wild Yam
Similar to Neem, Wild Yam needs to be taken regularly for a buffer window before it becomes effective. The generally accepted buffer window is two months of daily use before it is considered to be at peak effectiveness.
Dosage:
Take 1200-1500mg twice a day, every day, indefinitely.
NOTE: Antibiotics and high doses of “natural antibiotics” like garlic are said to reduce the effectiveness of Wild Yam. After four years of testing Wild Yam, Willa Shaffer published a book entitled Wild Yam: Birth Control Without Fear, in which she states that she “found no evidence of weight gain, swelling, cramping, hormone changes, or any other side effects. In my own experiences, I noticed no negative effects with wild yam and noticed that my periods were less crampy and very even. Even though my cycles tend to be fairly regular anyway, it made them even more so.”
Safety:
The general consensus among all herbal sources is that Wild Yam is very safe to use and can be used safely for extended periods. Rosemary Gladstar writes that Wild Yam is safe to take for extended periods with no residual side effects. Jethro Kloss writes in his famous herbal that Wild Yam is one of the best herbs for general pain during pregnancy and can be taken throughout pregnancy. In small, frequent doses, it can be used to alleviate nausea, but in large doses, it may cause nausea.
References