1. in TCM- I had read Tongkat Ali was sometimes used as the primary ingredient in abortion formulas (definitely will not work by itself) and many chinese still believe it is good for post-birth rejuvenation ('clean out'). Is this under Oxytocic category? 2. About Cotton Root Bark- I have read/ seen historical papers /documentaries discussing how African women brought the ancient knowledge of 'cotton tea' when they were enslaved and unfortunately, the raped female slaves that became pregnant were so fearful of further ramifications, how the elder women would use the cotton parts from the fields to force abortions in early stage pregnancies (2-3 months) for the girls-- and how some recorded these in journals. You stated the Cotton Root Bark will not work until the uterine contractions begin- is there another part that was used? Or did the formula have other synergies (if known-as the documentaries suggest the formula was kept oral tradition by the female elders). 3. On the turmeric/ curcumin topic; agreed the extracted curcuminoids are not 100% fully active yet, the clinical papers I read indicated most found a minimum dose of 5g/day was desirable for the most measurable health benefits when ingesting turmeric. Most western palates could not tolerate 5g worth of turmeric daily; however, I vaguely recall reading another that had synergistic mention with a 3g dose from about a decade ago. Even at 3g, it is a considerable amount for western diets. Have you found this to be true? (note- most also pointed out the need for extended routine and time to achieve effectiveness-- which is actually the same for most curcuminoid studies, even with bioperine, although it is a little shorter than attempting use of a highly bioavailable curcumin alone (like tradename Meriva)? -) When I was doing wellness coaching on the side last, turmeric benefits hit the news, but it was difficult to get people to stay on a diet with turmeric, even a sprinkle - if they wanted to claim taking it. in herbal therapies, are clients on turmeric dosing for extended periods? I have seen where it takes up to 60 days before showing benefits in some people.

Tongkat Ali is not used in TCM, it is used in Indonesian and Malaysian medicine. I am unfamiliar with its use as an abortifacient or oxytocic. Only Cotton root or the root bark is used as an oxytocic. It also has a history of being used as an abortifacient (they are not the same thing by the way). Used early in Pregnancy often with other abortifacient herbs, it was used to cause abortion. That is why I use a Turmeric tincture, highly bio-available and very active, you do not need huge doses. There are no studies comparing Turmeric to Curcumin and while Curcumin has activity I simply do not find it therapeutically as useful as a Turmeric tincture.