Queen Anne's Lace has been used for centuries as a contraceptive. Even the well-known fifth century physician/herbalist, Hippocrates prescribed it as an abortifacient. When herbal lore such as this survives the test of time, there is a good chance there is some truth behind it.

There has not been a lot of research done on fertility inhibiting herbs, especially in this country. But there has been some in other countries. In Chinese laboratory tests, the seeds have been shown to block progesterone synthesis in pregnant animals. Which deprives the uterine tissues of the progesterone needed to make a nutritive bed for the fertilized egg. This gives scientific credence to the actions our ancestors.

Robin Bennet conducted an experiment, in which 12 women from NYC used 1 teaspoon of QAL seeds chewed well for 12 months for contraceptive purposes. "During the study there were three women apparently conceived; one confirmed her pregnancy with a laboratory test and terminated it clinically. She had been using the carrot seeds daily until the month she conceived when she used them on only three of the recommended 7-8 days around ovulation.
The others felt pregnant but did not confirm their suspicions. The both used herbal emmenagogues and menstruated. One of the two women used seeds for 7-8 days around ovulation. The other women used them daily. None of the other women in the study became pregnant, and half were using QAL as their only method of birth control."

Based on the results her conclusion was the seeds were a very good method of contraception for those women who were willing to pay close attention to their cycles.

The majority of women in the study reported no side effects. A few women have noticed an occasional side effect of slight constipation, from the seeds being a bit too drying in the colon. Which can be remedied by increased water consumption.

I tried QAL, and experienced a very annoying side effect of inflammation and irritation of the inner and outer lips of the vagina. Accompanied with a very painful itch, which at first I thought was a yeast infection, but it was not. It began two days after taking a tsp of seeds a day. And disappeared two days after I stopped taking them. I waited about a week and took them again and experienced the same effect. Based on that experience I concluded it may take two days for the herb to circulate through the body. Several months later I took QAL seeds again and did not experience the side effect at that time.

If you are interested in using Wild Carrot seeds, you will have to harvest them yourself in the late summer/fall after seed have matured. Most herb stores do not carry them, though they are available through a couple of mail order herb companies, and one online source I've found so far, see below for ordering information.

Women with a history of kidney or gallstones should consult with an herbalist before using Queen Anne's Lace seeds. QAL contains estrogen and can cause estrogen-like side effects, and may encourage the growth of estrogen dependent tumors. Estrogenic herbs should be avoided by anyone taking birth control pills, other estrogen medications, or blood pressure medications. 

Modern wise women recommend one tsp of Queen Anne's Lace seeds chewed daily during ovulation and continued for up to one week. This dosage has worked effectively for women of average height and build. If you are above average height and/or build you might find the seeds more effective if you slightly raise the dosage. Consult with your herbalist.

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.