Herbal medicines can be used alone to prevent and treat primary dysmenorrhea or used to augment other therapies (nutritional, hydrotherapy, and/or pharmaceutical). The major categories of herbs reviewed in this article include uterine spasmolytics, inflammation modulators, and astringent tonics. Herbs a covered include Viburnum opulus (cramp bark) and V. prunifolium (black haw), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Atropa belladonna (belladonna), the Chinese formula Dāng guī sháo yào sǎn (dong quai and peony powder), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Trillium spp. (bethroot), Rosa spp. (rose), and Psidium guajava (guava). Details of dosing and safety are discussed with each herb. γ-Linolenic acid, a component of several plants, is also discussed.
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