Mexican traditional medicines for women’s reproductive health

作者：Paulina Cabada-Aguirre, Alice M. López López, Keila Carolina Ostos Mendoza, Karen D. Garay Buenrostro, Diego A. Luna‐Vital, Gail B. Mahady · 发表于：Scientific Reports · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1038/s41598-023-29921-1 · 被引用次数：33 · 研究领域：Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies、Plant Toxicity and Pharmacological Properties、Menstrual Health and Disorders

Like China, Mexico has a traditional system of medicine dating back almost 5000 years that incorporates the healing practices of pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Maya and Aztec. Mexican Traditional Medicine (MTM) women depend on MTM practices and herbal medicines for their primary healthcare needs as limited access and high costs of Western medicine is a significant problem. The aims of this work were to determine the medicinal plants more commonly used in MTM for women's reproductive health issues and assess the clinical data supporting their use. Data from multiple sources was compiled and information on plants commonly used by women in Mexico MTM for the treatment of fertility and menstruation issues, pregnancy, and menopause was analyzed. Analysis of the data show that 185 species of plants representing > 60 families were used for a wide range of reproductive health issues. Some of these plants have been used in MTM for fertility regulation in women of which 35 species were used as emmenagogues and abortifacients. Approximate 40 species were used for the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, and dysmenorrhea. In terms of pregnancy, 35 species were used for postpartum care and to facilitate breastfeeding, 16 species were used as oxytocic agents to induce labor and speed birth, and six plant species were used to prevent miscarriage. Fourteen plant species were reported to treat infertility or promote fertility, and seven species were used to...