Indonesian scientists in Surabaya are drying leaves, chopping them up, extracting an active chemical and making capsules which they consider as a reliable form of male contraceptive.
The plant is called Gandarusa and its medicinal qualities have been known to local people for centuries. Traditionally, its leaves have been brewed into an herbal remedy for stress, something to soothe the nerves.
Scientists of Airlangga University in Indonesia are doing research on mice and they are excited because gandarusa doesn’t alter male hormones but rather changes the chemistry on the tip of each individual spermatozoon, making them unable to pierce the outer wall of a female egg, or oocyte. They are now undergoing testing in human beings. There’s growing confidence that this is a cheap, easy-to-make, over the counter daily birth control pill, for men.
Dr. Sugiri Syarief, MPA PPD Board Member and Chairperson of BKKBN, Government of Indonesia says: “… Family planning is not only for women, but it is a decision made by couples, husband and wives.”
There’s one other big question about how much of a role gandarusa will play in lowering that fertility rate: whether or not it gets the approval of Islamic religious leaders. But Dr. Sugiri says most mainstream imams approve of family planning methods if they are not permanent and do not harm the body. He is optimistic gandarusa will be available in Indonesian stores as early as next year.