Complementary Medicine Journal
Year:2016 | Volume:5 | Issue:4 (17)|Papers Count:11

Introduction: Women entering menopause are faced with a storm of different signs and symptoms. Some of these symptoms can be annoying and affect their quality of life. Women have different ways to deal with these problems including herbal supplements. This study aimed to determine the effect of Lemon Balm on the symptoms of menopause.Methods: This study is a randomized, triple-blind clinical trial on 60 postmenopausal women between 45 to 60 years old. Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire, Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and interventions record checklist. After completing informed consents, samples were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group used Lemon Balm capsules and the control group placebo, twice a day for eight weeks. They were evaluated 1 and 2 months later. Data was analyzed using independent t tests and ANOVA with repeated measures.Results: Results showed that the average score of menopausal symptoms in Lemon Balm consumer group one months after intervention was 12.26±2.37, and in placebo group was 16.561±3.07 that the difference was statistically significant (p=0.02). Also, Two months later, the mean score menopausal symptoms in lemon balm group was 12.23±2.6 and in placebo group was 16.16±3.04 that was statistically significant (p=0.04(.Conclusion: It seems that the use of Lemon balm herb has decreased physical, psychological and urogenital symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Introduction: Episiotomy is the most common surgical incision during vaginal delivery. Recently herbal medicine is being considered in episiotomy healing. Considering the analgesic effects of Hypericum Perforatum, this study is performed to investigate the effect of Hypericum Perforatum ointment on episiotomy wound pain.Methods: This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial, performed on 120 women with episiotomy in Taleghani hospital of Arak city. After completing the informed consent, samples were randomly assigned into two groups; intervention group (60 women receiving 2.5% Hypericum Perforatum ointment) and control group (60 women receiving placebo ointment). Subjects applied ointments three times a day for 10 days. Pain intensity was measured by Visual Analogue Scale in three times; before intervention, and five and ten days after intervention. Data was analyzed by Chi square and independent t tests.Results: Results showed that before intervention the mean pain intensity in intervention group was 6.04±2.44 and in control group 6.09±2.42 which had no significant difference (p=0.9). Five days after intervention the mean pain intensity in intervention and control groups was 3.64±1.54 and 4.90±1.64 respectively, which also had no significant difference (p=0.1). But ten days after intervention the mean pain intensity in intervention and control groups was 1.96±1.06 and 2.54±1.008 respectively, which was significantly different (p=0.004).Conclusion: Based on the findings, it seems Hypericum Perforatum ointment can reduce episiotomy wound pain.

Introduction: Angiography is an invasive diagnostic procedure in cardiovascular diseases. In some cases, before angiography, patients experience anxiety and increase in vital signs in response to sympathetic system activation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of P6 acupressure point on physiological indexes in coronary angiography candidates.Method: In a randomized clinical trial, after taking written informed consent, 60 candidates for coronary angiography were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (pressure on the P6 point of both hands for 10 minutes) and control (pressure on the tip of thumb of both hands for 10 minutes). Vital signs were measured before and half an hour after the intervention. Independent t-test and Fisher exact test were used to analyze data.Result: The two groups did not have significant differences in demographic information and physiological variables before the intervention (p>0.05). But after intervention a significant difference was seen between the two groups in terms of respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure.Conclusion: P6 acupressure point can reduce some physiological parameters of patients before angiography. Acupressure as a part of nursing care can be offered for these patients. Further studies in this area is recommended.

Introduction: Sleep difficulties in nurses are considered as a major problem. One of the methods to improve nurses` sleep quality is aromatherapy. This study aims to investigate the effect of Lavender oil aromatherapy on sleep quality of nurses working in Intensive Care Units.Methods: In this clinical trial, 70 nurses working in Intensive Care Units of Amir-al-Momenin hospital of Gerdkouy city, after completing informed consents were randomly divided in two intervention and control groups. Data collection was done using demographic information questionnaire and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In the experimental group, Lavender inhalation was used for a period of four weeks (every other day) and in control group only water was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS Software version 21.Results: Findings indicated that there was no significant difference between experimental and control groups in terms of demographic characteristics (p>0.05). The mean score of sleep quality in experimental group (5.02±0.48) was significantly less than control group (7.82±0.52) after the intervention (p=0.0001). Also, in the intervention group, score of all dimensions of sleep quality (except taking sleeping pills) was significantly less than the score before aromatherapy (p>0.05).Discussion: Results revealed that Lavender inhalation has a positive effect on sleep quality of nurses working in Intensive Care Units and can be used as a useful method to improve the sleep quality of these nurses.

Introduction: Anxiety is the most common psychological response to labor in women. Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine which by using essential oils and fragrant, stimulates the olfactory system, induces relaxation and reduces anxiety. This study aims to determine the effect of aromatherapy with Boswellia Carteri in reducing anxiety during the first stage of labor.Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 126 nulliparous women, referred to Kamali hospital (Karaj, Iran). Samples were divided into two groups of aromatherapy and control. In intervention group, gauzes impregnated with 2 ml normal saline and 0.2 mL Boswellia essence, and in control group only with 2 ml normal saline were attached to the collar of subjects. Gauzes were changed every 30 minutes. Level of anxiety in both groups were measured at baseline and after the intervention at dilations of 3-4 and 6-8 cm. Data was collected using a demographic and obstetric information questionnaire, an observation-examination checklist, and Spielberger state-trait anxiety questionnaire.Results: Before the intervention; gestational age, Bishop Score, contraction length and level of anxiety was the same in both groups. After the intervention, mean of anxiety in the intervention group at dilations of 3-4 (18.4±5.18) and 6-8 cm (20.3±6) was significantly lower than control group at dilations of 3-4 (22.3±7.98) and 6-8 cm (22.9±5.55), (P=0.014, P=0.002(.Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed aromatherapy with Boswellia Carteri essence as a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive, and effective intervention to reduce anxiety during labor.

Introduction: Albizia Julibrissin, have been used for treatment of insomnia, anxiety and depression in traditional medicine. Considering the adverse effects of chemical drugs used as anti-nausea, in this study we investigated the potential beneficial effects of Albizia Julibrissin in reducing nausea in chicken model.Methods: In this experimental study, Albizia Julibrissin was collected from the forests of Mazandaran. Its methanolic extract was prepared using different methods including; succulent, maceration and sonication. Nausea was induced by Copper Sulfate (60 mg/kg, orally) and Ipecac (600 mg/kg, orally) in chickens (6 in each group). The number of Copper Sulfate induced nausea was counted for 50 and Ipecac induced nausea for 20 minutes after administration. Data was analyzed by SPSS using one way ANOVA followed with Tukey test.Results: Intra peritoneal administration of Albizia Julibrissin extracts decreased the number of nausea induced by Copper Sulfate and Ipecac. There was a significant difference with administration of succulent extract in reducing the number of nausea (25±11.6) and (37.3±8) comparing to Ipecac (67.6±10) and Copper Sulfate groups (82±16) (p<0.05). Also, administration of maceration extract significantly reduced the number of nausea (55±5.2) comparing to Copper Sulfate group (82±16) (p<0.05). Extraction with succulent, maceration and sonication methods showed better effects, respectively.Conclusion: Results showed that the extracts of Albizia Julibrissin have an anti-nausea activity in chickens, probably due to its sedative effects.

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common medical issues in women. Knowing about the current treatments of dysmenorrhea in the community is the first step in developing and replacing appropriate treatments. This study was conducted to determine the methods of primary dysmenorrhea management among women attending to health centers in Mashhad.Methods: In this descriptive study, 468 menstrual cycles were evaluated in 117 women selected by multi stage sampling. Research tools were personal information questionnaire and verbal multidimensional scale which were completed after informed consent. Data was analyzed by SPSS using Chi square and descriptive statistics.Results: Results showed that 49.6% (232) of women used chemical medicines, 50% herbal medicine, and 21.5% (96) used "tea and rock candy". Totally 11 kinds of different herbs were used. Chi square test showed significant difference between the severity of pain; and methods of treatment (p=0.003), type of analgesics (p=0.006), and number of used analgesics (p=0.00).Conclusion: The results suggest that about 50% (232) of participants used chemical medicine and 50% (232) herbal medicines as a single therapy or as complementary medicines. Due to the widespread use of herbal medicine in the study population, it is recommended to assess their safety and effectiveness and recommending available and effective drugs.

Introduction: Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) is a malignant disease. Different drugs have been suggested for the treatment of leukemia, but none of them has resulted in complete remission. Recently scorpion toxins have been reported to have anticancer activity on several cell lines. In the present study, the effects of Hemiscorpius Lepturus scorpion was evaluated on K-562 cell line as an experimental model of CML.Methods: In this experimental trial to determine IC50, K-562 cells were cultured in RPMI media with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. Then they were treated with different concentrations of Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion venom (1.95-1000μg/ml). Cytotoxic effect of venom against K-562 cancer cells was evaluated by MTT method. The data was an analyzed by the Graph Pad Prism 6.Results: After the treatment of K-562 cells with different concentrations of venom, the MTT assay determined the IC50 value of 62.5 mg/ml of scorpion venom. The results of this study indicated that the treatment of the K-562 cells with scorpion venom was time-dependent compared to the untreated cells. Compared with untreated cells (control), survival rates of the cells after 48-hour treatment with concentrations of 125, 62.5 and 32.25 mg/ml were 40.69±1.12, 54.92±10.5 and 53.58±9.43 respectively.Conclusion: According to results of the study, this venom can be considered as a potential drug candidate for further studies on inhibitor treatment for CML.