Dysmenorrhea Health Dictionary

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).

Plant Part Used: Dried flower buds.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The dried flower buds are traditionally prepared as a tea and taken orally for anxiety/nervousness, stomach ache, indigestion, gas, menopausal hot flashes, common cold and flu.

Safety: Lavender is generally regarded as safe when used in moderation. Potential adverse effects include drowsiness, gastrointestinal upset and skin irritation.

Contraindications: Excessive internal use of this herb is contraindicated during early pregnancy due to its emmenagogue effect demonstrated in laboratory studies. Due to lack of sufficient data on safety, avoid use during lactation and in small children.

Drug Interactions: Concomitant use of this herb with sedative or tranquilizing drugs, such as pentobarbital, may potentiate their effects based on evidence from animal studies. Additional herb-drug interactions may occur in medications with effects similar to those demonstrated by this plant clinical and preclinical studies (see below).

Clinical Data: The following effects of this plant have been investigated in human clinical trials: antianxiety, antidepressant, anti-stress, anxiolytic, dysmenorrhea treatment, hypnotic, insomnia treatment, retrospective pain perception and sedative.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: This plant has shown the following biological activities in laboratory and preclinical studies: acaricidal, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antineoplastic, antitumor, sedative and hypolipidemic.

* See entry for Alucema in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... alucema

Guinea-hen-weed (Petiveria alliacea).

Plant Part Used: Leaf, root, stem.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The root is traditionally prepared as a tincture in alcohol and taken orally for arthritis, joint and muscle pain. The leaf and/or root is typically prepared as an infusion and taken orally for nausea and stomach ailments, women’s health conditions (dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, menopausal symptoms, ovarian cysts, labor pains, postpartum recovery, uterine fibroids) and to cleanse the blood. The leaf is also prepared as a poultice and applied topically for skin infections.

Safety: No data on the safety of this plant in humans has been identified in the available literature. Animal studies of the leaf have shown relatively low toxicity, and TRAMIL has approved this herb for particular traditional uses.

Contraindications: Avoid use during pregnancy, lactation and in children under 12 years of age.

Drug Interactions: Concomitant use of this herb with insulin and hypoglycemic drugs may potentiate their effects.

Clinical Data: No human clinical trials have been identified in the available literature.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: The following biological activities have been demonstrated in laboratory and preclinical studies (using in vitro or animal models): analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, chemopreventive, cytotoxic and hypoglycemic.

* See entry for Anamú in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... anamú

Annatto (Bixa orellana).

Plant Part Used: Seed coats, leaves.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The powdered seed coats are traditionally combined with other plants to make a tea or vegetable juice drink for treating anemia, cysts, dysmenorrhea, tumors, uterine fibroids and to support post-partum recovery. The seeds coats and/or leaves are also used externally for topical burns, injury and musculoskeletal trauma.

Safety: The seeds and seed coats are generally regarded as safe and commonly used as a culinary flavoring and coloring agent. Animal studies have shown this plant to be relatively nontoxic, although allergic reactions reported.

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity; history of allergic reaction.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: The seed extract has shown the following activities in animal studies: anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive, hyperglycemic. In vitro the plant extract has demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial and antiplatelet effects, and the seed extract has shown anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activity.

* See entry for Bija in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... bija

Viburnum prunifolium. N.O. Caprifoliaceae.

Synonym: American Sloe, Stagbush.

Habitat: Dry woods, throughout Central and Southern States of North America. Features ? A tree-like shrub, ten to twenty feet high. Fruit shiny black, sweet and

edible. Young bark glossy purplish-brown, with scattered warts. Old bark greyish-

brown, inner surface white. Fracture short. Root bark cinnamon colour. Taste bitter,

astringent.

Part used ? Root bark (preferred); also bark of stem and branches.

Action: Uterine tonic, nervine, anti-spasmodic.

Uterine weaknesses, leucorrhaea, dysmenorrhea. Prevention of miscarriage—given four or five weeks before. Infusion of 1 ounce to 1 pint of boiling water—table-spoonful doses.... black haw

Indian bean (Catalpa longissima).

Plant Part Used: Bark.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: Bark: infusion, orally, for common cold, flu symptoms, menstrual disorders, uterine fibroids, dysmenorrhea and as an abortifacient.

Safety: Low toxicity shown in animal studies.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In vitro: anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive(plant extracts and constituents); oxytocic, uterine relaxant (leaf decoction).

In vivo: antiulcer (plant extracts).

* See entry for Roble in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... roble

Corydalis tea was used for centuries in ancient Chinese medicine as a pain reliever. But this tea has also various other health benefits. More on Corydalis tea Native to the northern parts of China, Japan, Eastern Russia and Eastern Africa, Corydalis is a perennial plant that usually grows in shade along the edges of woodlands. It possesses pink flowers and finely-divided thin leaves and yellow tubers. It is closely related to the opium poppy family. Its medicinal properties largely lie in the roots or rhizomes. Corydalis is used either as a decoction, tincture, extract or tea for its analgesic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, sedative, tranquilizing, anti-cancer, hypotensive and cardiotonic qualities. It contains more than 20 potent alkaloids that include tetrahydropalmatine, dehydrocorydaline, protopine and cordalines. Though its effects are somewhat similar to that given by the opium poppy, corydalis tea is said to be non-addictive. Its taste can be bitter so you might want to drink it along with some sweeteners. Corydalis herb is typically mixed with other herbs by Chinese herbal practitioners. They use it in a variety of ways, for example with peony and licorice to fight spastic pain, or with pteropus and bulrush for treating abdominal and menstrual pain. Corydalis tea brew Corydalis tea can be made by placing a handful of the dried roots in a pot of boiling water and allowing it to steep for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then let it simmer for a further 5 minutes before drinking it. Alternatively, an infusion can be made using the powdered form of the roots. Simply immerse the powdered corydalis roots in newly-boiled water for about 5 to 7 minutes. Corydalis tea benefits Here are some of the health benefits of Corydalis tea. It lowers blood pressure, eases heart rate and reinforces the circulation system. Being a pain reliever, Corydalis tea can ease chest and abdominal pains, fight pain in the lumbar region and  help relieve menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. It can cure anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness and edginess. Corydalis tea may help fight stomach ulcers as it may help decrease gastric secretions. Corydalis tea may be helpful in fighting cough and allergies. Corydalis tea side effects Corydalis tea has some precautions that should be considered before taking it. Corydalis tea should always be used under the supervision of a health care provider. The tea is not for the use of children, pregnant or nursing women, liver or kidney disease. People taking sleeping pills, depressants and alcohol should avoid it, as the effects of such a combination have not yet been fully established. Corydalis tea can be included in a healthy life style, but first consult with your physician and do not drink too much of it.... corydalis tea

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia).

Plant Part Used: Leaf, stem, aerial parts.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: Leaf, stem: decoction, orally, for diabetes, fever, stomach problems, menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, vaginal infection, excess vaginal discharge, sexually transmitted infection, menopausal hot flashes, cancer; fresh juice or decoction, poultice or wash, topically, for skin rash, measles, insect bites, itching and skin infection.

Safety: Shown to be relatively non-toxic for internal and external use in animal studies.

Contraindications: Pregnancy, lactation, children < 3 years.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In vitro: anthelmintic (fresh fruit juice), antimicrobial (leaf and extracts).

* See entry for Cundeamor in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... cundeamor