Queen Ann's Lace

Using Queen Anne's Lace (QAL)

Disclaimer: If you try this you do so at your own risk.

The seeds, collected from the flower head in fall are thoroughly chewed, swallowed and washed down with water or juice. The taste is heavy and oily, not very pleasant, but doesn't taste terrible. It is the volatile oils contained with in the seed that prevent implantation. Chewing them releases the oils. If you simply swallow them they will pass right through your system, with out releasing their oils and not be effective.

One teaspoon is taken per day. The most important time to take them is just before ovulation, during ovulation and for a week following. In Ms Bennet's study, women took the seeds orally and chose from three different time frames, depending on which fits their situation. Some took them every day through out the cycle (though this might not be good on a long term basis, but should be ok for the first few months). While others, who might have unprotected sex infrequently might take them only after intercourse and for the following week. Then those who are sexually active, might take them before, during and after the fertile time, which would mean taking them for 10 to 14 days in the middle of the cycle around the time of ovulation and being familiar enough with your cycle to know when you are fertile.

It is very important to use a back up method of contraception particularly during the first two months of using the QAL. It takes time for the body to adjust, as well as for you to develop confidence in such an unconventional method. Queen Anne's Lace prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine wall. Some herbalists believe it makes the walls of the uterus "slippery" so that the egg is unable to implant. Scientific studies have shown that QAL blocks progesterone synthesis in pregnant laboratory animals. Progesterone is what prepares the uterus to receive a fertilized egg. If the uterus is not ready the fertilized egg will break down and be washed away with the next menstrual period.