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Volume 7, Issue 4 (10-2025)                   pbp 2025, 7(4): 132-138 | Back to browse issues page


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Fijan A. A Review of Medicinal Plants Effective in Relieving Menstrual Pain Based on Ethnobotanical Knowledge of Eastern Iran. pbp 2025; 7 (4) :132-138
URL: http://pbp.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-278-en.html
Department of Obestetric and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract:   (1216 Views)
Objective: Menstrual pain, a common affliction among women, can significantly impact their daily activities. In this context, the use of medicinal plants as a natural and effective remedy for relieving such pain has been acknowledged in the western border region of Iran, serving as an alternative or complementary therapeutic approach. The aim of this study is to identify the medicinal plants employed in this region of Iran for the treatment of menstrual pain.
Methodology: This review study employed keywords such as medicinal plants, Iran, menstrual pain, and the provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Ilam, Khuzestan, and their cities, along with ethnobotany terms. Databases such as Google Scholar, SID, MegaIran, PubMed, and Scopus were utilized for article searches. Ethnobotanical articles related to the topic were selected for text review.
Results: Based on the ethnobotanical review, it was identified that in the cities and provinces of the western border region of Iran, medicinal plants such as Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Anthriscus cerefolium L., Capsella bursa pastoris (L.), Nigella sativa L., Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. & Hohen., Celtis australis L., Ruta graveolens L., Carthamus oxyacantha M.B., Myrtus communis L., Ulmus glabra Hudson., Pistacia atlantica, Mentha piperita Stokes., Dactylorhiza umbrosa (Kar. & Kir.) Nevski, Orchis mascula Crantz, Achillea millefolium, Biebersteinia multifida, Hypericum perforatum, Urtica dioica, Orchis latifolia L., Avena sativa L., Adiantum capillus-veneris L., Achillea millefolium, Carthamus tinctorius, Crataegus pontica, Heracleum persicum L., Calendula officinalis L., Crocus abantensis, Thymus vulgaris L., Stachys lavandulifolia, Ziziphora clinopodioides, Rheum ribes L., Anthemis Susiana L., Cardaria draba (L.) Desv., Marrubium astracanicum Jacp. are commonly used for managing, controlling, and treating menstrual pain. Notably, the highest diversity of plant species was observed in the regions of Behbahan, Khuzestan, and Zrewar, Kurdistan. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part, and the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families presented the highest number of species, indicating the rich diversity of medicinal and traditional plant applications.
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that the local communities in the western border region of Iran possess extensive knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants for alleviating menstrual pain. Documenting and scientifically exploring this knowledge could lay the groundwork for the development of effective and natural herbal medicines in the domain of women’s health.
Full-Text [PDF 532 kb]   (157 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Herbal Drugs
Received: 2025/02/4 | Accepted: 2025/05/31 | Published: 2025/05/31

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