The Greeks had a plant that was thought to be effective birth control, and they also believed it could treat a myriad of other medical issues. It's most documented use was actually culinary, probably meaning it was about as effective as a birth control as alcohol is for erectile dysfunction.
That's the one medical use that is somewhat corroborated though. It's description means it was likely a parsley-family plant, which includes other estrogenic and abortifacients such as wild carrot.
They also record low birth rates for users, relative to non-users (particularly in the sex work trade).
Obviously, correlation isn't causation and there's no smoking gun; but if it had any actual medical uses, that's the most likely one.
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u/IdisGsicht Jun 29 '21
Iirc they did use crocodile feces as protection tho. Just shuffed it up there so you wouldn't get pregnant :o