In Brazil, abortion is prohibited by law, except in cases of rapes, risk of maternal life or anencephaly. The ban makes many teenagers, especially, use alternative methods to terminate pregnancy, for example, we can mention the use of some teas and infusions.
THE northern bush (Luffa operculata), also known as “cabacinha” or just “buchinha”, is a species well known for its abortive power. It is a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family traditionally used in the treatment of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis principally. Works also show its performance as a vermifuge, expectorant, diuretic, purgative, among other properties.
Easily found, the buchinha fruit is used indiscriminately by women trying to terminate a pregnancy. Many people use this plant because they believe that because it is a natural product, it will not pose a risk to maternal health, in addition to often not even informing the doctor about a pregnancy and its interruption. The substance responsible for the embryotoxic and abortive action is called cucurbitacin.
The buchinha is among the main plants used in Brazil for abortive purposes. There are several reports of intoxication due to the consumption of teas from this plant, in most cases resulting from attempted abortions. In addition to intoxication, cases of death in patients who used high doses of the plant have also been reported.
Its use can lead to copious bowel movements, cramps intense, nausea, vomiting, bass hemorrhages and abortion. In large quantities, tea prepared for an attempted abortion can cause the mother's death, and some studies claim that a value of approximately 1g of the loofah extract may be enough to kill an adult.
If a person has made inappropriate and exaggerated use of this substance, a doctor should be sought immediately. The treatment of intoxication is done by the administration of activated charcoal. In addition to causing the mother's death, sometimes the abortion attempt fails and, in addition to not causing the death of the fetus, it causes several malformations and underweight.
It is important to note that, in addition to being illegal in some cases, abortion puts the mother's life at risk, especially when done in illegal clinics and/or with the use of medicines and medicinal plants, as in the case of little bush. Since several medicinal plants have abortive properties, it is worth remembering that pregnant women should not make indiscriminate use of teas and infusions.
The ideal is not to try to remedy situations in which there was an unwanted pregnancy by interrupting it. The correct thing is to always be on the safe side so that these surprises don't happen. Sex must always be safe and responsible.
by Vanessa dos Santos
Graduated in Biology
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude/riscos-uso-buchinha-do-norte-como-abortivo.htm