Comparison of Herbal Medicines Used for Women’s Menstruation Diseases in Different Areas of the World

Abstract

Aims: This review aims to compare the use of herbal medicine used to treat women’s menstruation and the prevalence of menstrual diseases in different regions, which reveal the use of herbal medicine globally and provide scientific guidance for improving women’s health.Materials and Methods: The information available on herbal medicines for women between the years 2000 and 2021 was systematically collected via the library and electronic search systems such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science as well as secondary resources including books and conference proceedings.Results: Totally, 571 ethnic medicines commonly used for women’s menstruation health in Asia, Europe, Oceania, Africa, and America were accounted. Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger), Ruta graveolens L. (Common rue), Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Angelica sinensis), Foeniculum vulgare Mill (Fennel), Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (Catharanthus roseus) and other medicines which have obvious advantages and long-term usage are utilized in the treatment of menstrual diseases. Family Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Fabaceae, and Zingiberaceae are the most common medicinal plant families used for such treatments. In many instances, the application of fresh parts of plants was observed because of the healers’ belief regarding the higher efficiency of the medicine made from fresh plants. Edible plants are used in a wide range of countries.Conclusion: Women’s menstruation health is directly related to their health condition. Traditional medicines of most ethnic groups have contributed to women’s health care and treatment of gynecological diseases. Practitioners in this field have gained elaborate experience in treatments and medication, and assembled a large number of effective drugs and prescriptions. These experiences have also been inherited and developed by modern clinical application and scientific research. However, the basic research on these drugs is not sufficient, the knowledge of drug use has not been fully popularized, the advantages of drugs have not been fully utilized, and the guiding potential to modern drug research continues to be insufficient. As such, it is necessary to further promote and make a significant contribution to women’s health.

Plants in Menstrual Diseases: A Systematic Study from Italian Folk Medicine on Current Approaches

“…Even in the modern era, certain health issues persist among women that may not be effectively addressed by conventional medicine. In regions lacking access to modern medical treatments, the use of herbal medicine remains vital as an alternative or supplement for women’s health, contributing to the enhancement of their overall well-being [ 95 ].…”

“…For example, Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss is used in Italy, Brazil, Dominican Republic, and Morocco [ 91 , 93 , 94 ]; Hedera elix L. is employed in Romania and Italy [ 95 , 96 ]; Artemisia absinthium L. is utilized in Iran, Brazil, Dominican Republic [ 93 , 94 , 97 ]; Malva sylvestris L. is used in Brazil, Pakistan, and Italy; Ruta graveolens L. is employed in Brazil, Dominican Republic, Italy, Trinitad and Tobago [ 93 , 94 , 95 , 107 , 112 ]; and Urtica dioica L. is used in Italy, Pakistan, and Serbia [ 91 , 99 , 114 ] ( Table 3 ). All of this leads us to draw attention to the above highly promising species and to candidate them to deeply experimental studies.…”

Ruta angustifolia Pers. (Narrow-Leaved Fringed Rue): Pharmacological Properties and Phytochemical Profile

“…Hippocratic physicians considered Ruta plants as a remedy suitable for diseases in women and as an effective pharmakon (the Greek word for drug) in the cure of pulmonary affections [ 10 ]. Today, the common rue ( Ruta graveolens L.) remains an important plant in traditional medicine in many countries [ 11 ], notably utilized in the treatment of female menstrual diseases [ 12 ]. There are less reports about the use of R. angustifolia Pers.…”

Therapeutic effects of garlic (Allium sativum) on female reproductive system: A systematic review

“…PM is commonly used for a wide range of problems, including digestive disorders, respiratory ailments, skin problems, hormonal imbalances, and immune system weakness [ 11 ]. Some of the commonly used herbs used in traditional medicine are: ginger, turmeric, ginseng, chamomile and garlic [ 12 ]. Garlic ( Allium sativum ) has been used in traditional medicine for centuries because of its many health benefits [ 13 ].…”

“…The effects of garlic on hormonal balance, fertility and sexual health have been studied. In a study, Jiao et al investigated the use of herbal medicines used to treat menstruation in women and the prevalence of menstrual diseases in different regions [ 12 ]. Moreover, Raji et al evaluated the effects of aqueous garlic extract on some aspects of reproduction in female albino rats (Wistar strain).…”