Although herbs can’t promise to cure chronic conditions, they do mitigate the risks of occurrence of several women-specific health conditions. ARCHANA JYOTI tells you more
The International Women’s Day falls annually on March 8 and though we feel that just one day isn’t quite enough to deliberate on the myriads issues confronting the fairer sex — we’re using the occasion to dwell on medicinal plants meant to take care of women healthcare.
Although herbs cannot promise to cure chronic conditions, they do mitigate the risks of occurrence of several women-specific health conditions such as post menstruation syndrome, fertility, menopause, physical stamina, stress and many other conditions. Herbs have been for long a friend of women in ensuring their wellbeing.
In fact, according to a study published last year in International Journal of Scientific Research and Reviews even today, tribal women and certain women local communities in India still practice herbal medicine to cure a variety of diseases and disorders. They collect and preserve locally available, wild and cultivated plant species.
Similarly, as per a review, nearly 2000 different plant species are reported to be used in over 5000 combinations. Plants with numerous efficacious observations have historically been used as a starting point in the development of new drugs while a large percentage of pharma firms have developed drugs derived from medicinal plants.
“Medicinal plants play a crucial role in drug discovery, with at least 25 per cent of modern medicine being derived either directly or indirectly from them.
“For instance, available in syrup and tablets, our herbal formulation based on shatvar or shatvari, ashwagandha and putranjeevak, Amycordial is women centric — a uterine tonic aiming to maintain healthy and balanced production of female harmones as well as effectively reduces symptoms of pre and post menopause,” said Sanchit Sharma from AIMIL Pharma.
No doubt, the list of herbs for ensuring women well-being is long. Here we have tried to elaborate on a few of them.
Known as herbal magic potion for women’s health, there are a number of studies documenting benefits of ashwagandha that helps against inflammation, fatigue, hormonal issues, and more. Other studies show that it can bolster mental clarity and brain function. Yet another study even showed that the herb’s active ingredients (steroidal alkaloid and steroidal lactones) are important fertility hormone precursors and stimulate blood flow to reproductive organs.
Another herb red clover (tipatiya) offers an excellent source of plant-derived, natural phytoestrogens called isoflavones that various researches show to replicate the structure and functions of the fertility hormone estrogen in a woman’s body. Regular consumption of this herb can elevate estrogen levels, thus helping in treating fertility disorders. It is also said to be a rich source of essential body nutrients like calcium, thiamine, niacin, potassium, and vitamin C besides being beneficial for women suffering from hot flushes, vaginal dryness and night sweating.
Ayurveda experts say that the leaves, root, and stem of the nettle leaf has powerful diuretic and antioxidant properties, help cure urinary tract infections, allergies and osteoporosis — a common symptom of menopause that are quite common among women. Similarly, in pregnant women and lactating mothers, it acts as a rich source of Vitamin K and helps in increasing milk production.
Nettle leaf is also a rich source of iron that can fight anemia while its anti-oxidising properties are useful in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and PMS through the stabilisation of hormonal imbalances.
Chamomile is another herb that has proven calming and anti-inflammatory properties and is an effective treatment for stress, sleep apnea or insomnia and similar conditions. It offers a natural herbal remedy to women suffering from PMS and irregular menstrual cycles by regulating the menstrual cycle and relieving menstrual cramps.
Similarly, shatavari is said to be useful in maintaining good female health for ages. This herb has a balancing effect on the fertility hormones in women and helps maintain physical activeness and improve sex drive. Research has shown its effectiveness in managing fertility in women,in alleviating symptoms of PMS and in the repair of damaged vaginal tissues as well.
To manage stress, herbal experts recommend passionflower or krishna kamal in Hindi, a natural relaxant that is very effective in treating sleep apnea, anxiety disorders, and stress through its ability to increase the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, according to various researches.
Commonly found herbs like amla, beetroot, aloe vera, ginger and punarnava are already proven for their efficacy in preventing anaemia.
Moving further in the sector, a startup Gynoveda has combined technology, content and Ayurveda to built the world’s first MenoBot, a gynaecology robot that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify period abnormalities, and then prescribes ayurvedic supplements to alleviate the issue.