An Herbal Answer to Natural Birth Control
Western Stoneseed (Lithospermum rudeale) was identified by the Shoshone of Nevada as being a successful natural birth control mothod.
by the MOTHER EARTH NEWS editors
May/June 1970
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Lithospermum rudeale, commonly called "western stoneseed" was identified by the Shoshone of Nevada as being a successful natural contraceptive.
ILLUSTRATION: MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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The Shoshone of Nevada are said to be sophisticated in herbal medicines, collecting their own plants in nearby mountains. It was among these people in the 1930's that the use of Lithospermum rudeale as a contraceptive was discovered.
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The first reports indicated that a cold water infusion from the roots taken daily as a drink for a period of six months would ensure sterility thereafter.
Under U.S. Department of Agriculture auspices, pharmacological research was carried out on this plant, and in 1945 a laboratory study was published confirming the effectiveness of this plant as a contraceptive.
Since 1945 a dozen or more serious laboratory studies on animals have been made, all confirming the contraceptive properties of the plant. The active principle, called Lithospermic Acid (LA), in low concentration acts specifically on the pituitary gland, suppressing the production of gonadotropins (hormones which stimulate the sex glands) and certain pituitary hormones.
This type of "antihormonal" action is said to be pharmacologically unique and the effects of the drug do not seem to be duplicated by other known compounds. LA is highly soluble and may be extracted by cold water. The resulting solutions are usually yellow or brown in color.
The use of Lithospermum extract produces suspension of the estrus cycle, (the entire sequence of changes in the female reproductive organism and a dimunution or inhibition of the secretion of estrogens and androgens (sex hormones).
In one laboratory test the suspension of the estrus cycle was maintained for eight months. Removal of the animals from the Lithospermum diet produced an immediate return to relatively normal capacity. The immediate return to normal estrus cycle indicates the Lithospermum produces no permanent or irreversible changes within the body, and examination showed no damage to the pituitary gland. Normal animals previously on a regular diet in turn, responded within ninety-six hours to Lithospermum extract. Depending upon the type of test animals and the concentration of Lithospermum administered with the food succeeded 51 percent to total effectiveness.
