Women are interested by natural remedies and especially botanical dietary supplements. They use botanicals according to the trouble they suffer from and their age. Nevertheless, some of them are scientifically substantiated but some of them are lacking of clinical evidence. For example, younger women will use botanicals for urinary tract infections, especially cranberry, where there is some evidence for efficacy.

Botanical dietary supplements for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are also used, and no  rigorous clinical trials have been done. Some examples include chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus), dong quai (Angelica sinensis), and ginger (Zingiber officinale). Pregnant women have also used ginger for relief from nausea, which has proved it efficacy.

Natural galactagogues for lactating women include fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum),however, rigorous safety and efficacy studies are lacking.

Women suffering menopausal symptoms are likely to use botanicals, especially since the Women’s Health Initiative showed an increased risk for breast cancer associated with traditional hormone therapy. Plant extracts with estrogenic activities for menopausal symptom relief include soy (Glycine max), red clover (Trifolium pratens), kudzu (Pueraria lobata), hops (Humulus lupulus), licorice (Glycyrrhiza species), rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum), chasteberry, flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa).

Finally, although botanicals are perceived as natural safe remedies, it is important for women and their healthcare providers to realize that they have not been rigorously tested for potential toxic effects and/or drug/botanical interactions. Understanding the mechanism of action of these supplements used for women’s health will ultimately lead to standardized botanical products with higher efficacy and safety.

Dietz BM, Hajirahimkhan A, Dunlap TL, Bolton JL. Botanicals and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals for Women’s Health. Pharmacol Rev. 2016 Oct,68(4):1026-1073.