Natural Products for Women's Health PDF

# Natural Products for Women’s Health ## Natural Products for Menopausal Disorders ### Black Cohosh - The roots & rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa native to North America - **Constituents**: - include triterpene glycosides(27-deoxyactein, actein, cemicifugocides), caffeic & ferulic acids. - **U...

# Natural Products for Women’s Health ## Natural Products for Menopausal Disorders ### Black Cohosh - The roots & rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa native to North America - **Constituents**: - include triterpene glycosides(27-deoxyactein, actein, cemicifugocides), caffeic & ferulic acids. - **Uses**: - Black cohosh is the most commonly used for symptoms associated with menopause. - (menstrual irregularities, hot flashes & other symptoms) - Methanolic extracts of the herb were reported to bind to estrogen receptors & to selectively reduce luteinizing hormone(LH) in animals. ## Natural Products for Premenstrual Syndrome & Menopausal Disorders ### Evening Primrose - It is the seeds of Oenothera spp. (Onagraceae) - **Constituents**: - Fixed oil containing γ-Linolinic acid. - **Uses**: - The oil is widely used as a dietary supplement, for cosmetic purposes & for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome, eczema, and rheumatoid arthritis. ## Natural Products for Menopausal Disorders ### Linseed - It is the dried seeds of Linum usitatissium family Linaceae. - **Constituents**: - About 30-40% of fixed oil (contains the unsaturated acids, alpha & gamma linolenic together with linoleic acids). - About 6% mucilage. - 25% protein - Cyanogenetic glycosides( the most important is Linamarin). - Lignans & a cancer chemoprotective lignan precursor - Flavonoids. - **Uses**: - The oil contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (GLA &ALA) which play a role in alleviating the menopausal disorders & premenstrual syndrome. ## Nutrition and Supplements for treatment of menstrual pain - Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, about 6 g per day, to help lower inflammation. - Calcium citrate, 500 - 1,000 mg daily. Calcium is needed for healthy bones, and may also help reduce menstrual pain because it helps maintain muscle tone. - Vitamin D, 400 IU daily, helps your body use calcium and may reduce inflammation. - Vitamin E, 500 IU daily, may help reduce menstrual pain - Magnesium, 360 mg daily for 3 days on the day before menstruation starts found that it reduced menstrual cramps. ## Natural Products Favorable In Pregnancy ### Raspberry Rubus idaeus - The red berries are delicious when eaten fresh or made into jam or syrup. The leaves contain calcium, magnesium, and iron, and relieve diarrhea and nausea. This is one of the best herbs for women to take, often used during pregnancy to relieve morning sickness, to strengthen uterine muscles for labor, and to slow bleeding after birth. - Raspberry also increases breast milk. ### Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla - This is an excellent, gentle herb to drink for its calming effect on children and adults. It is also used to relieve indigestion, gas, and diarrhea. Drink in the evening to relax and bring on sleep. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties for use on sprains, and sore muscles. ### Lavender Lavandula officinalis - These very aromatic purple flowers, which grow on terminal spikes, used to relieve headaches, depression, exhaustion, and to promote relaxation and sleep. They are also used in herbal body care and aromatherapy for sachets and sleep pillows; relaxing baths; antiseptic face washes, steams, and toners; creams and oils to relieve aches and pains. ### Rose - Rosa is the familiar flower with the wonderful aromatic smell. Roses are known to hydrate the skin and are wonderful to use for a face wash, steams and herbal baths. Rose hips are the seed pods that form after the bloom falls off. - The hips are very high in Vitamin C. Make a tea to relieve cold symptoms, or puree into a syrup or jelly mixed with apple sauce. - Rose hip oil helps prevent scarring. ### Lemon Balm : Melissa officinalis - is a member of the mint family with a wonderful lemony smell. It helps calm anxiety, alleviate depression, insomnia and headaches, reduce fevers and gently treats nervous tension and indigestion. ### Marshmallow Althaea officinalis - The young leaves can be eaten raw or slightly cooked; it makes an excellent soup thickener. Mallow softens skin and soothes skin irritations, boils, stings, and runny sores. The tea is soothing to mucus membranes, swollen glands, and irritations of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract. ## Natural Products Unfavorable In Pregnancy ### Parsley - should not be consumed as a drug or supplement by pregnant women. Parsley as an oil, root, leaf, or seed may lead to uterine stimulation and preterm labor. ### Sage (Salvia officinalis) - The leaves in early flowering stage is used to soothe a sore throat. Use for a mouthwash on bleeding gums. It reduces secretions such as sweating, hot flashes, and breast milk. Do not use during pregnancy. ## Natural Products Favorable For Nursing Mothers ### Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum - The seeds are mucilaginous. Externally, they can be used as a poultice on wounds and sores. - Drinking tea made with the seeds aids digestion, and gargling with the tea relieves a sore throat. The seeds are also known for increasing breast milk. Fenugreek is a popular spice in East Indian cooking. - Not for use during pregnancy; can reduce blood sugar levels. ### Fennel Foeniculum vulgare - This digestive herb relieves heartburn, gas, colic, and an upset stomach. The fruits can be chewed to sweeten breath and help a toothache, and a gargle will relieve a sore throat. - Fennel also increases breast milk. To use as a compress, put crushed fruits in hot water for relief of swollen, tender, nursing breasts. ### Alfalfa Medicago sativa - Alfalfa is rich in chlorophyll and vitamin K, which promotes clotting. - The leaves and flowers make a mild tasting, nutritious tea that stimulates the appetite, aids digestion, and increases breast milk. - The seeds can be sprouted to add to salads and sandwiches. ### Nettle Urtica dioica - Nettle is an herb worth using on a regular basis. - Nettle is a rich source of iron, calcium and folic acid, and supports the kidney and adrenals. It helps clear up anemia, skin problems, and increases breast milk. - A nettle hair rinse stimulates growth and removes dandruff. ### Oat Avena sativa - Oatmeal is a wonderful food, easy to digest, and helpful for relieving chronic constipation and colitis. - Rich in magnesium, take oats to nourish the nerves, recover from nervous exhaustion, and bring on a feeling of calmness and clear thinking. - It strengthens hair, nails, and bones. In a bath, it relieves itching, dry skin, and chicken pox. ### Calendula Calendula officinalis - This herb is an all purpose skin healing herb used to stop bleeding, wash wounds, heal cuts, abscesses, rashes, boils and eczema. - It relieves muscle cramps, painful swellings, hemorrhoids, and insect bites. It can be used in a footbath on swollen feet and as an eyewash on sore, tired eyes. - A hair rinse reduces dandruff. The orange and yellow petals of this edible flower are a colorful addition to salads. ### Uva Ursi, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - The astringent leaves reduce pain and bleeding on a cut after birth, uva ursi reduces swelling, hemorrhoids, and slows bleeding. - It is one of the best herbs for clearing up urinary tract infections, but should only be used short term as it is irritating to the mucus membranes of the uterine lining and bladder. ### Yarrow Achillea millefolium - Put the leaves or flowers on wounds or a bloody nose to quickly stop the bleeding. - Use a wash on rashes, runny sores, boils, chapped or cracked skin, and hemorrhoids. - Drink to relieve indigestion and gas. - Yarrow promotes sweating when taken to reduce a fever. - It is also said that the smell repels mosquitoes. ## Natural Products Unfavorable For Nursing Mothers - Laxative drugs containing anthraquinone derivatives that can be excreted in the mother's milk and cause diarrhea for the baby. - Senna leaflets & pods. - Rhubarb roots and rhizomes