A CRITICAL REVIEW ON THE CONTRACEPTIVE AND ABORTIFACIENT MEDICINAL HERB’S DESCRIBED IN BHAVAPRAKASHA NIGHANTU

Bhavaprakasha is Ayurveda’s important nighantu (Lexicon) written in the sixteenth century AD. Many useful herbs are mentioned in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu that can be used daily. However, one common misconception is that all ayurvedic drugs are safe and devoid of any side effects since they are of herbal origin is not true. Ayurvedic herbs sometimes become harmful based on the condition of the patient. The present review reports cautions and contraindications in administering certain herbs mentioned in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu for pregnant ladies and those who wish to conceive. Out of total of twenty-three Vargas (Classified groups), six vargas that is Harithakyadi to Amradi Phala varga of Chunekar commentary of Bhavaprakasha Nighantu were reviewed. Hareethakyadi, Karpooradi, Guduchyadi, Pushpadi, Vadaadi, Amradi Phala, comprising two seventy-nine herbs were reviewed critically with regards to their already mentioned action on conceived women and who wish to conceive from Bhavaprakasha Nighantu under four headings (1) Garbhasravakara / Garbhapathakara herbs (Abortifacients) (2) Garbhanirodhakara (Contraceptive) (3) Garbhashaya sankocha kara (Oxytocics) (4) Avrishya (Anaphrodisiac). Also more than a hundred peer-reviewed journals were referred to determine their mode of action. Total fifty-eight herbs were found which was having adverse effect on pregnant women and those who wish to conceive. Hence a physician should be really cautious while prescribing these herbs to a infertile patient or a pregnant woman.