Table 1:Abortifacient methods used in Latin America

Folk methods—herbal/natural Folk methods—physical
Algae Catheter
Aralén Sharp objects
Avocado pear and rue stewed - Clothes hooks
Borage (herbal) water - Crochet hooks
Brews, beverages and teas - Knitting needles
- Marijuana or hemp - Pencils
- Oak and avocado - Spoons
- Parsley and coriander - Sticks
- Seeds from a gourd - Umbrella rods or ribs
Broom flower - Wires
Calabash Vaginal or uterine manipulation
Celery cuttings and roots  
Cooked avocado seed Medical techniques
Cumin Curettage
Geranium stalks Vacuum aspiration
Germinated corn (stalks)  
Green sand Pharmaceutical techniques
Herbal stalks for dilation Cytotec
Laminaria stems or rods Ergotrate
Marjoram and lurica, rue or oregano High doses of any estrogen
Matico (aromatic wild pepper) Hipofisinas
Mullaca root Injections of
Onion - Entocol
Parsley leaves and roots - Flavicorpin
Potato shoots or sprouts - Nupavin
Radal - Pitocin
Rue leaves - Sintocinón
Stalks of castor oil plant - Tocofinal
Stick or bulrush IUD as abortifacient
  Laxatives
Folk methods—manufactured Oxytocins with serum
Beer with aspirin Prostaglandins and urea
Caustic substances Quinine
-Alum Uterine retractors
- Acids-acetyl or silicic Veterinary prostaglandin
- Bleach  
- Cheap hair dye Prayers
- Chlorine bleach  
- Ether tablets with herbs Voluntary Trauma
- Formaldehyde Dance and liquor
- Laundry blue Intentional falls
- Laundry blue with urine - from a roof
- Potassium permanganate - from a staircase
Herbs and warm beer, malt or red wine - from a tree
Jamaican rosewood soap Prolonged standing
Soapy substances Voluntary blows
Tea of boiled coins - by the husband
Teas with hormonal injection - in the stomach
Vinegar  

Source: AGI Survey of Opinions on Abortion Practice in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and the Dominican Republic, 1992  (AGI, 1994).
Note: Terms are in Spanish when there is no English equivalent.