Botanical Medicine For Women's Health

Introduction

Natural herbal medicine has been traditionally used in many cultures to treat a variety of diseases and ailments. However, the benefits of herbal medicine for women’s health are unique and well-known in countries all over the world. Botanical medicine can be used for health issues in every phase of a woman’s life, especially from puberty to menopause. In developing countries, women in rural areas rely heavily on medicinal plants to treat a variety of women’s health conditions.

Botanical Medicine For Maternal Health

According to reports from Research and Markets, the herbal medicine industry is expected to grow by $39.52 billion from 2022 - 2026 with a CAGR of 6.69%. Surprisingly, herbal medicine is especially popular among women, who even use medicinal herbs during pregnancy. According to reports from BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, in 2018 about 67% of women used herbal medicine during pregnancy globally. Furthermore, according to a 2021 Dove Medical Press study conducted on 872 women in Ethiopia, it was found that 57.3% of women have a positive attitude towards herbal medicine use during pregnancy. The use of herbal medicine during pregnancy varies depending on culture, traditions, social status, geographic location, and ethnicity. Plant medicines such as black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) and blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) have been historically used as labor inducers and uterine stimulants. In addition, ginger is used as an effective anti-spasmodic and treats conditions such as nausea, vomiting, irritation, and upset stomach.

Botanical Medicine For Urinary Tract Infections

It is estimated that women are 30 times more likely to suffer from Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) than men and approximately 40% of women will experience a UTI at some point in their life. In most cases, if UTIs are not treated in a timely manner this will have a negative impact on the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. A popular botanical herb for treating UTI issues is D-mannose. A 2013 study conducted with 308 women showed that D-mannose was just as effective as antibiotics for treating UTIs and even prevents the recurrence of UTIs. In addition, uva ursi (bearberry) and garlic have antimicrobial properties and active compounds that are shown to be effective for treating UTIs. Cranberry, green tea, mint tea, and chamomile tea can also provide relief from UTIs and prevent their recurrence.

Botanical Medicine For Hormonal Imbalance

The female body goes through many hormonal changes in its lifetime. Hormonal changes in women can turn into hormonal imbalances, which lead to health problems down the road. Fortunately, there are many natural herbs for treating and reversing hormonal imbalance. Vitex, a popular natural medicine, is helpful for hormonal balance. It reduces the secretion of a hormone called prolactin and keeps estrogen and progesterone levels balanced. This reduces hormonal fluctuations and mood swings during a woman’s monthly cycle. Similarly, flaxseed and soy are useful for modulating the effects of estrogen in the body. These herbs also help control excessive hormone secretion and have a protective effect on the body.

Botanical Herbs For Menstrual Cycle and Menopausal Symptoms 

Studies suggest that since 1956, 1.5 million menopausal women in Germany have used black cohosh to treat stress-related menopausal symptoms. In addition, many women consume red raspberries to help promote a healthy uterus. The alkaloids in raspberry leaves relax the uterus to eliminate cramping while its tannins help to reduce heavy or irregular bleeding. Dong quai is a Chinese herb that is also very popular among women and is used to relax muscles, strengthen energy levels, and regulate the menstrual cycle. Known as “female ginseng”, research has shown that dong quai can also reduce pain and inflammation. Red clover, which is rich in phytoestrogens, is another herb that is commonly used to reduce hot flashes during menopause.

Natural Herbal Supplements To Prevent Breast Cancer 

For most women, the risk of getting breast cancer increases after the age of 50. However, if a woman develops breast cancer before the age of 50, her risk of death is increased. According to a 2016 report published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, women who are 40 years old or younger are 30% more likely to die from breast cancer than women who are 51 - 60 years old. Most cases of breast cancer are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore, natural herbal supplements, which contain vast amounts of medicinal and nutritional value, can reverse early-stage breast cancer by strengthening the body and its immune system. In addition, the herb black cohosh contains natural active compounds that reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. Overall, the risk of developing breast cancer can be significantly reduced with a healthy lifestyle that includes the use of herbal medicines and supplements.

Final Thoughts

Herbal medicine has been used for women’s health issues for thousands of years. Today researchers are starting to take notice and understand the potential of botanical medicine to break into mainstream medicine. Therefore, the benefits of natural medicine for women's health have also come under the spotlight. Nowadays women take herbal supplements not only because modern medicines are inaccessible and unaffordable, but also because botanical medicines provide more long-term health benefits for women.