Premium
Common traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for dysmenorrhea
Author(s) -
Jia Wei,
Wang Xiaorong,
Xu Desheng,
Zhao Aihua,
Zhang Yongyu
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.1905
Subject(s) - medicine , chinese herbs , adverse effect , traditional medicine , traditional chinese medicine , phytotherapy , alternative medicine , pharmacology , pathology
Dysmenorrhea is painful menstrual cramps, which negatively impacts the quality of life of those diagnosed. The paper reviews traditional Chinese medicine's treatment of dysmenorrhea through the use of combination‐herbal‐formula therapeutics. These herbal treatments are effective for dysmenorrhea with minimal side effects. Pharmacological studies suggest Chinese herbal dysmenorrhea therapies likely decrease prostaglandin levels, modulate nitric oxide, increase plasma β ‐endorphin ( β ‐EP) levels, block calcium‐channels and improve microcirculation. Conventional therapy for dysmenorrhea, which usually includes non‐steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), provides symptomatic relief but has increasing adverse effects with long‐term use. Therefore, Chinese herbal medicines, including simple herbal and combination formulas, are perhaps the ideal therapeutics of choice. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.