A Review of Herbal Medicines for Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy in Traditional Persian Medicine

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is one of the prevalent pregnancy complaints. This study was conducted to review the medicinal plants mentioned in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) for the treatment of NVP. A literature research was conducted on a number of main references of TPM, including the books of al-Qanun fī al-Teb, Zakhireye Kharazmshahi, Tadbir-al-Habali al- Atfal al-Sabiban and Makhzan-al-Adviah. Then, medicinal plants mentioned in TPM for treatment of NVP were determined and searched in electronic databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar to find studies that confirmed their efficacy. The search terms were ‘‘vomiting’’ or ‘‘nausea’’ or “emesis” and “pregnancy” and the name of each herb. Data were collected for the years 1990–2016. The findings included 10 plants. Citrus limon (Lemon), Citrus medica L. (Citron), Cydonia oblonga (Quince), Elletaria cardamomum (Cardamom), Mentha spicata L. (Spearmint), Menatha piperita (Mint), Myristica fragrans Houtt (Nutmeg), Pistacia lentiscus Linn. (Mastic), Punica granatum L. (Pomegranate), Malus domestica Borkh (Apple), and Piper cubeba L. are the most recommended medications for NVP. There is evidence in human studies for some of these medicinal plants (Mentha Piperita L., Citrus limon, Elletaria cardamom, and Cydonia oblonga Mill). The other mentioned herbs have not been evaluated during pregnancy. There is limited evidence to safely recommend these plants for NVP. Although some human studies have suggested the antiemetic effects of TPM remedies, their safety is not sufficiently documented in modern literature. Scientific studies on these medicinal plants during pregnancy are warranted to determine their safety.