Plantas medicionales utilizadas en el embarazo, parto y puerperio en el Ecuador: Una revisión sistemática

Abstract

Pregnancy, labor, and puerperium are physiological periods faced by all women who have decided to procreate at some time in their reproductive cycle, which requires continuous and permanent monitoring while exposed to a series of problems that can have damaging consequences for both mother and baby. Methodology: The present systematic review is an objective qualitative study, considering 31 publications obtained from scientific information sources such as Scopus, Medline, SciELO, Redalyc, LILACS, and ProQuest. Results: Medicinal plants combine the active elements necessary to alleviate innumerable ailments and/or discomforts that women may present during gestation, partum, or postpartum. This therapeutic alternative is reliable and accessible, being the first choice in different territorial regions where a precarious socioeconomic condition prevails and there is limited access to quality public health services. Conclusion: Different medicinal plants such as chamomile, mint, marigold, brevo, celery, anise, linseed, balm mint, basil, fennel, pennyroyal, and black tea can be used during pregnancy or fetal development; on the other hand, during labor and puerperium, one can use avocado seed, anise, cinnamon, rosemary, basil, parsley, rue, eucalyptus and other components that have the necessary properties to alleviate certain common physical and/or mental discomforts. Keywords: pregnancy, labor, puerperium, traditional medicine, medicinal plants.