Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Efficacy of herbal medicine (cinnamon/fennel/ginger) for primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

  • 2020-06-01
  • The Journal of international medical research 48(6)
    • Yincong Xu
    • Qinglin Yang
    • Xiaoping Wang

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Sample size
n = 647
Population
647 patients with primary dysmenorrhea
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies, using weighted mean difference (WMD) as effect indicator

Objective

To assess the efficacy of herbal medicine (cinnamon/fennel/ginger) for treating primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods

Relevant studies were searched in multiple databases. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was used as the effect indicator for measurement data, and each effect size was given estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Nine studies with 647 patients were selected. Compared with the results in the control group, pain intensity was significantly relieved in the trial group when assessed by the intervention (cinnamon vs. placebo: WMD = 1.815, 95% CI = 1.330-2.301; fennel vs. placebo: WMD = 0.528, 95% CI = 0.119-6.829; ginger vs. placebo: WMD = 2.902, 95% CI = 2.039-3.765), observation period (one cycle: WMD = 2.061, 95% CI = 0.815-3.307; one cycles: WMD = 1.831, 95% CI = 0.973-2.690), and study quality (high quality: WMD = 2.224, 95% CI = 1.488-2.960). Pain duration was significantly shorter in the trial group (cinnamon vs. placebo: WMD = 16.200, 95% CI = 15.271-17.129). No publication bias was observed for either outcome.

Conclusions

For primary dysmenorrhea, cinnamon/fennel/ginger effectively reduced pain intensity, and cinnamon shortened the duration of pain. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Research Insights

  • Cinnamon→Reduced Pain Duration

    Pain duration was significantly shorter in the trial group (cinnamon vs. placebo: WMD = 16.200, 95% CI = 15.271-17.129)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
  • Cinnamon→Reduced Pain Intensity

    Pain intensity was significantly relieved in the trial group when assessed by the intervention (ginger vs. placebo: WMD = 2.902, 95% CI = 2.039-3.765)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
  • Ginger→Reduced Pain Intensity

    Pain intensity was significantly relieved in the trial group when assessed by the intervention (ginger vs. placebo: WMD = 2.902, 95% CI = 2.039-3.765)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
  • fennel→Reduced Pain Intensity

    Pain intensity was significantly relieved in the trial group when assessed by the intervention (ginger vs. placebo: WMD = 2.902, 95% CI = 2.039-3.765)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
Back to top