Herbal treatments for leiomyoma-induced menorrhagia: A clinical evaluation.
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Clinical evaluation of herbal compound drugs in the management of leiomyoma induced menorrhagia
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Leiomyoma, commonly known as fibroids, is a prevalent gynecological condition, particularly among women in their reproductive years. These benign tumors are primarily asymptomatic but can lead to significant health issues like menorrhagia, which is characterized by excessive menstrual bleeding. In Ayurveda, leiomyomas can be likened to the condition known as "Mamsajarbuda." The current study evaluates the efficacy of two Ayurvedic herbal formulations—Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava—in managing menorrhagia caused by fibroids, aiming to provide an alternative treatment approach that sidesteps the limitations and side effects of conventional hormonal therapies.
Efficacy of Herbal Formulations
The study involved a sample of 30 women exhibiting symptoms of menorrhagia associated with leiomyomas. The clinical evaluation revealed that both Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava significantly improved menstrual symptoms. Among the participants, 14 women (46.67%) reported a good response to treatment, while 3 (10%) had a fair response. Notably, there were marked improvements in the duration and amount of menstrual flow, and a notable reduction in associated symptoms such as abdominal pain. Statistical analysis confirmed that the herbal treatments were highly effective in controlling menorrhagia, with a significance level of P<0.001.
Management of Fibroids and Menorrhagia
The findings also noted that while the herbal formulations effectively managed symptoms like menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea, there was no significant change in the size of the fibroids as measured through ultrasound. The ingredients of Ashokarishta (primarily Ashoka) and Lodhrasava (primarily Lodhra) exert hemostatic effects and help in soothing the uterus, aligning with their traditional uses in Ayurveda for treating gynecological disorders. This suggests that these herbal preparations may offer symptomatic relief rather than a curative solution for fibroid size, highlighting the multifaceted nature of treatment approaches in managing gynecological health issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study underscores the potential of Ayurvedic treatments, particularly Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava, as effective management options for fibroid-induced menorrhagia. With over half of the patients benefiting from the treatments, the results showcase the relevance of traditional remedies in contemporary medical practice. This research not only supports the efficacy of herbal formulations in managing excessive menstrual bleeding but also emphasizes the need for further studies to explore their mechanisms and long-term impacts on fibroid management.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
*K. Bharathi
Research Officer (Ayu.), National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Revenue Board colony, Gaddiannaram, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
B. P Pushpalatha
Lecturer, Dept. of Prasutitantra, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India.
C. M Jain
Professor and Ex-head, Dept. of Prasutitantra, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India.
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: Clinical evaluation of herbal compound drugs in the management of leiomyoma induced menorrhagia
Year: 2014
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are leiomyomas and their common symptoms in women?
Leiomyomas, also known as fibroids, are benign tumors commonly found in women of reproductive age. Common symptoms include menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding), low back pain, and pain in the lower abdomen, particularly if the fibroid is near the endometrial cavity.
What herbal formulations were used in the study for menorrhagia?
The study evaluated the efficacy of two Ayurvedic formulations: Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava. Both are traditional remedies known for their astringent, hemostatic, and uterine sedative properties, commonly prescribed for various gynecological disorders, particularly those involving excessive bleeding.
What were the results of the herbal formulations on patients?
Out of 30 patients, 46.67% showed a good response, while 10% had a fair response to the treatments. The study indicated that Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava significantly helped in controlling menorrhagia, with statistical analysis yielding highly significant results (P<0.001).
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Herbal treatments for leiomyoma-induced menorrhagia: A clinical evaluation.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Pain:
Pain is a significant symptom associated with leiomyomas and is addressed in the study, where certain trial drugs aim to alleviate menstrual pain accompanying menorrhagia.
2) Drug:
Drug in this context refers to the herbal compounds Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava, evaluated for their effectiveness in managing menorrhagia induced by leiomyomas.
3) Arbuda:
Arbuda is an Ayurvedic term describing tumors, particularly benign ones like leiomyomas. It is a foundational concept in the Ayurvedic treatment discussed in the study.
4) Vata:
Vata is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, playing a role in the regulation of bodily functions and potentially in the pathogenesis of leiomyomas as described in the study.
5) Lodhra:
Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) is a main ingredient in Lodhrasava, noted for its astringent properties, and is used in the study for its potential to manage menorrhagia.
6) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is the traditional Indian system of medicine, forming the basis of the herbal treatments (Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava) evaluated in the study for managing menorrhagia.
7) Bharathi:
Bharathi is one of the primary researchers involved in this study, contributing significantly to the research and its documentation.
8) Ashoka (Asoka):
Ashoka (Saraca asoca) is a central herb in Ashokarishta, known for its uterine tonic and hemostatic properties, and is evaluated in the study for managing menorrhagia.
9) Kapha:
Kapha is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, potentially involved in the development of leiomyomas, as discussed in the Ayurvedic context of the study.
10) Blood:
Blood, specifically menstrual blood, is a key focus in the study, where excessive bleeding (menorrhagia) is a primary symptom managed by the trial drugs.
11) Dysmenorrhea (Dysmenorrhoea):
Dysmenorrhoea, or painful menstruation, is a symptom linked to leiomyomas and assessed in the study for relief through the use of Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava.
12) Medicine:
Medicine in this study refers to the combination of Ayurvedic herbal treatments used to attempt to control menorrhagia and associated symptoms of leiomyomas.
13) Disease:
Disease here relates to leiomyomas (fibroids) causing menorrhagia, the management of which is the primary focus of the clinical evaluation detailed in the study.
14) Nature:
Nature refers to the intrinsic pharmacological properties of the herbs used (like Ashoka and Lodhra) that influence their therapeutic actions in managing menorrhagia.
15) Pitta:
Pitta, another dosha in Ayurveda, may be involved in causing inflammatory processes, potentially affecting leiomyomas and related menorrhagia, as per Ayurvedic beliefs.
16) India:
India is the origin of Ayurveda, the traditional medical system providing the framework for the herbal treatments evaluated in the management of leiomyoma-induced menorrhagia.
17) Symplocos racemosa:
Symplocos racemosa is the botanical name for Lodhra, a primary herb in Lodhrasava, known for its astringent properties potentially beneficial in managing menorrhagia.
18) Menstrual blood:
Menstrual blood is the focus of the study, where excessive menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) prompted by leiomyomas is treated with Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava.
19) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological refers to the effects and active compounds of the herbs used in the study, such as astringents and uterine sedatives that impact menorrhagia management.
20) Vedanasthapana (Vedana-sthapana):
Vedanasthapana is an Ayurvedic term describing the efficacy of a drug in alleviating pain, relevant to the herbs in the study that may relieve dysmenorrhoea.
21) Garbhashaya (Garbhasaya, Garbha-ashaya):
Garbhasaya is the Ayurvedic term for the uterus, where leiomyomas (fibroids) develop, causing the menorrhagia being treated in the study.
22) Vatapitta (Vata-pitta):
Vatapitta denotes a specific Ayurvedic constitutional type involving Vata and Pitta doshas, relevant for understanding patient-specific responses to the herbal treatments in the study.
23) Kaphavata (Kapha-vata):
Kapha-vata refers to a dual dosha constitution in Ayurveda, considered in understanding the patient's condition and tailoring the treatment approach in the study.
24) Vitiation (Vitiated):
Vitiation refers to the disturbance or imbalance of doshas in Ayurveda, which may lead to conditions like leiomyomas and their symptomatic menorrhagia.
25) Pregnant:
Pregnant relates to the condition of pregnancy, during which uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) may present differently, though the study mainly focuses on non-pregnant women.
26) Seedling:
Seedling describes the initial size or very small leiomyomas observed in the study, relevant to determining the efficacy of treatment over the trial period.
27) Kashaya (Kasaya):
Kashaya describes the astringent taste of certain Ayurvedic herbs, such as Ashoka and Lodhra, which are used in the study for managing menorrhagia.
28) Indian:
Indian pertains to the origin of Ayurveda, the traditional medicinal system used in the study to manage leiomyoma-induced menorrhagia through herbal treatments.
29) Tikta:
Tikta denotes a bitter taste, one of the properties of Ayurvedic herbs like Lodhra, contributing to their therapeutic efficacy in managing conditions like menorrhagia.
30) House:
House here likely refers to 'House wife,' an occupation noted in the demographic data of the study participants, indicating their potential lifestyle factors.
31) Rasa (Rasha):
Rasa in Ayurveda refers to taste, an important characteristic of medicinal herbs like Ashoka and Lodhra, influencing their therapeutic effects on conditions like menorrhagia.
32) Caraka-samhita:
Caraka-samhita is an ancient Ayurvedic text providing foundational knowledge for understanding and treating various disorders, including menorrhagia and fibroids like leiomyomas.
33) Saraca asoca:
Saraca asoca, or Ashoka, is a primary herb in Ashokarishta, known for its effectiveness in treating gynecological conditions like menorrhagia as evaluated in the study.
34) Raktatisara (Rakta-atisara):
Raktatisara refers to bloody diarrhea, a condition mentioned in the broader context of Ashoka's therapeutic uses as documented in Ayurvedic texts.
35) Mamsadhatu (Mamsha-dhatu):
Mamsa-dhatu refers to muscle tissue in Ayurveda; leiomyomas are tumors arising from this tissue, pertinent to the condition being treated in the study.
36) Kashtartava (Kastartava, Kashta-artava):
Kashtartava denotes painful menstruation, one of the symptoms targeted for relief by the herbal treatments Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava in the context of the study.
37) Discussion:
Discussion represents a section in the study where the findings, implications, and potential mechanisms of the trial drugs in managing menorrhagia are analyzed.
38) Apanavata (Apana-vata):
Apanavata is a subtype of Vata dosha regulating downward bodily functions, including menstruation, and its imbalance may contribute to menorrhagia as per Ayurvedic principles.
39) Raktarsha (Raktarsa):
Raktarsha refers to bleeding hemorrhoids, a condition against which Ashoka's hemostatic properties are effective, showcasing its broader applications beyond menorrhagia.
40) Shithilata (Sithilata):
Sithilata means looseness, particularly of the uterus, a condition that can be affected by leiomyomas and addressed by the herbs studied, such as Ashoka for its tonic properties.
41) Cakrapani (Cakra-pani):
Cakrapani is a renowned Ayurvedic commentator whose interpretations provide insight into conditions like menorrhagia and their management, referenced in the study's context.
42) Prakriti (Prakrti):
Prakriti in Ayurveda refers to an individual's constitution determined by the balance of doshas, crucial for personalizing treatments and understanding disease predispositions, such as menorrhagia.
43) Mutation:
Mutation refers to genetic changes causing leiomyomas' monoclonal growth, laying the biological basis behind fibroid development addressed in the study.
44) Samgraha (Sangraha):
Sangraha means ‘to contain or gather,’ referring to the hemostatic (blood-stopping) actions of the herbs used in the study to manage excessive menstrual bleeding.
45) Samhita:
Samhita denotes a classical Ayurvedic text. References to it underpin the treatments and theoretical understanding of conditions like menorrhagia in the study.
46) Kaphaja:
Kaphaja refers to one of the types of Arbuda (tumors) linked to the Kapha dosha, though the study specifically focuses on Mamsajarbuda (muscle-origin tumors).
47) Chennai:
Chennai is the location of IMPCOPS, the source of the trial drugs Ashokarishta and Lodhrasava used in the study to manage menorrhagia.
48) Pittaja (Pitta-ja):
Pittaja denotes a type of Arbuda (tumor) caused by the Pitta dosha, providing an Ayurvedic classification relevant to understanding the pathogenesis of fibroids.
49) Caraka:
Caraka refers to Caraka-samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic text that offers foundational theories and treatment protocols for various conditions, including menorrhagia.
50) Jaipur:
Jaipur is the location of the National Institute of Ayurveda, where part of the study's research and clinical trials might have been conducted.
51) Vataja (Vata-ja):
Vataja describes a type of Arbuda (tumor) governed by the Vata dosha, relevant in Ayurveda's categorization, though the primary focus here is Mamsajarbuda from muscle tissue.
52) Bitter:
Bitter refers to Tikta rasa, a taste quality of some Ayurvedic herbs like Lodhra, contributing to its therapeutic properties in managing menorrhagia in the study.
53) Animal:
Animal relates to pharmacological studies where the uterine effects of herbal compounds like Lodhra were tested on animals, providing insight into their potential therapeutic benefits.
54) Labour (Labor):
Labour likely pertains to 'Physical Labour,' one of the occupation types of study participants, indicating different lifestyle impacts on health and treatment outcomes.
55) Rajas:
Rajas represents menstrual blood in Ayurveda, emphasizing the study's focus on managing excessive menstrual flow (menorrhagia) induced by fibroids.
56) Mamsa (Mamsha):
Mamsa (muscle tissue) is the origin tissue of leiomyomas, comparable to Mamsajarbuda in Ayurveda, providing a framework for understanding and treating the condition.
57) Rakta:
Rakta in Ayurveda refers to blood; the study primarily seeks to manage rakta-related disorders, specifically excessive menstrual bleeding due to leiomyomas.
58) Virya:
Virya refers to the potency or inherent energy of a medicinal herb in Ayurveda, contributing to its therapeutic effects, as seen in the herbs studied for menorrhagia.
59) Dhatu:
Dhatu refers to bodily tissues in Ayurveda. Mamsa-dhatu (muscle tissue) relates to leiomyomas' origin, targeted in treatment strategies discussed in the study.
60) Grahin (Grahi):
Grahi means astringent or binding properties in Ayurveda, relevant to the studied herbs' action in reducing excessive menstrual bleeding.
61) Ayus (Ayush):
Ayush refers to the Indian government ministry for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy systems, underlining the institutional framework supporting this research.
62) Edema (Oedema):
Edema is a potential complication of uterine fibroids, consistent with the broader symptomatology that the study aims to address with herbal treatments.
63) Raja:
Raja denotes menstrual blood or flow in Ayurveda, emphasizing the focus on managing menorrhagia through the studied herbal treatments.
64) Sita (Shita):
Sita or Shita refers to the cooling (cold property) nature of some Ayurvedic herbs, like Lodhra, contributing to their therapeutic effects in managing menorrhagia.
65) Sama (Shama):
Sama indicates balance or equilibrium in Ayurveda. Treatment aims to bring doshas and body functions back to a Sama state.