Abstract

CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS IN AYURVEDA CLASSICS

*Dr. Veena Ajay Patil and Dr. Ashwini Shivaji Patil

Abstract

India stands for second most populous country in the world, with 1.33 billion populations (according to 2016 census).[1] The incidence of increasing population rate should be reduced. Currently, there are about 51 births per minute in India, So there is need of population control. Human fertility control is one of the major approaches which seem effective in controlling population. Traditional use of medicinal plants and their extracts have become widely known among society for various diseases including fertility related problems. Considering women healthcare, it has become important to use herbal antifertility agents which can interfere with the natural procedure of reproduction in women. Modern research includes the use of various plant extracts having antifertility action in various ways. Numerous herbs have been tested for their contraceptive activity on different animal models. These herbal contraceptives are found to be ecofriendly, can be easily available and affordable even in rural areas. A careful scrutiny of the ancient literature reveals the varied well thought of and time tested measures at population control through local and oral contraceptives, abortifacients and other methods of antifertility and birth controls.

Keywords: Birth control, Contraception, herbal contraception, antifertility, garbhanirodhak dravya, population control.