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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 (In press)
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:   (635 Views)
Objective: Menstrual pain is one of the most common health issues affecting women of reproductive age, often impacting their quality of life and daily activities. Traditional medicine and ethnobotanical knowledge from various regions of Iran, particularly in the eastern parts of the country, have introduced a range of medicinal plants for alleviating this discomfort.
This study aims to identify and present medicinal plants traditionally used for relieving menstrual pain based on ethnobotanical documentation from eastern Iran.

Methodology: This review study was conducted using a systematic search of relevant articles. The keywords included medicinal plants, Iran, menstrual pain, Khorasan, Kerman, Sistan, and ethnobotany. The search was performed in academic databases such as Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, PubMed, and Scopus. Relevant ethnobotanical studies were selected for review and analysis.
Results: In the eastern and southeastern regions of Iran, particularly in areas such as Bahraseman (southeastern Iran), Tang-e-Balengestan, Chupar (Kerman), Khabar and Zochun, Deh Lolu (Kerman), Sirjan (Kerman), Sistan, Maneh and Samalqan, Mashhad, and Hezar Kuh (southeastern Iran), various medicinal plants have been traditionally used for menstrual pain relief. These include Verbascum behbahanense, Medicago orbicularis, Bunium persicum, Ziziphora tenuior, Scrophularia striata, Cicer anatolicum, Achillea millefolium, Salvia officinalis, Anethum graveolens, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Foeniculum vulgare, Solanum nigrum, Glaucium elegans, Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria aurea, Centaurea behen, Capsicum frutescens, and Asparagus officinalis.
Conclusion: The findings of this review indicate that traditional ethnobotanical practices in eastern Iran rely on a diverse range of medicinal plants for menstrual pain relief. Many of these plants exhibit anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and hormone-modulating properties. Further scientific and clinical research is essential to validate their efficacy and explore their potential as complementary, low-risk treatments for managing menstrual pain.
     
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Herbal Drugs
Received: 2025/02/4 | Accepted: 2025/05/31 | Published: 2025/05/31

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