Herbal medicine in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum healthcare

This literature review was examined to determine all plants used by pregnant women during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care in Morocco. The literature published up to 2023 showed only five articles dealing with medicinal plants used by Moroccan women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The prevalence of use of these plants by Moroccan women ranged from 60 to 66.96%, implying an upward trend in the use of medicinal plants by women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care in Morocco. This review shows the use of 68 different plants by Moroccan women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. The most commonly used plants are Artemisia herba-alba Asso, Thymus maroccanus Ball, Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Sesamum indicum L, Crocus sativus L., Olea europaea L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Origanum vulgare L., Phoenix dactylifera L., Aloysia citriodora Palau, Lepidium sativum L., Cuminum cyminum L. and Nasturtium officinale R. Br. Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, pain due to cold and flu symptoms, induction and facilitation of childbirth, anemia syndrome, etc. are the most frequent uses of these products.

Autorentext

KAMEL NadiaPhD, Laboratorio di Farmacologia, Facoltà di Medicina e Farmacia, Università Mohammed V, Rabat, Marocco. Direttore dell'Istituto superiore delle professioni infermieristiche e delle tecniche sanitarie (ISPITS), Guelmim, Marocco.