Insights & Discussion
Among the mentioned plants, castor oil and date fruit have more evidence in cervical ripening and onset of labor.
16 articles that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Meta-analysis was only possible on castor oil and date fruit. The chance of spontaneous onset of labor in was 5.760 and 2.205 times the castor oil and date groups, respectively. Moreover, the increase in bishop score in castor oil group was 2 times higher than the control group. The results of funnel plot and Egger test found no evidence of publication bias (P = 0.710).
Peganum, Sisymbrium, chamomile, and saffron were effective in cervical ripening and onset of labor. Evening primrose was effective on Bishop score, but had no effect on spontaneous onset of labor. Red raspberry leaves were not effective in spontaneous onset of labor.
Discover Related Insights
Edible medicinal plants like saffron, chamomile, dill seeds, and castor oil have demonstrated positive effects on various aspects of labor, indicating potential natural alternatives for aiding childbirth.
2022 Current Drug Discovery Technologies Edible Medicinal Plants on Facilitating Childbirth: A Systematic Review Ivari FR, Vatanchi AM, Yousefi M, Badaksh F, Salari R
Systematic Review Castor Oil Dill Seed Labour Induction
This systematic review explores the potential of oral herbs in aiding childbirth, given the rising interest in natural treatments despite advancements in medical interventions. More than 20% of pregnancies require labor induction, often associated with adverse effects and increased cesarean risk. The study investigates edible plants' impact on cervical readiness, labor onset, pain reduction, and labor duration. Among 20 clinical trials, saffron, chamomile, boiled dill seeds, date, date syrup, Descurainia Sophia, and castor oil have demonstrated positive effects on various labor aspects. Nonetheless, larger-scale studies are needed for a comprehensive understanding of these herbs' mechanisms and effectiveness in facilitating labor.
Date fruit consumption several weeks prior to delivery can decrease the need for labor induction and/or augmentation and might have a beneficial effect on labor duration.
2021 Explore: The Journal of Science & Healing The effect of late pregnancy date fruit consumption on delivery progress – A meta-analysis Sagi-Dain L, Sagi S
Systematic Review Date Fruit Labour Induction
Our meta-analysis yields two prominent important benefits of date fruit consumption by primiparous women during several weeks prior the delivery. First, it can decrease the need for labor induction and/or augmentation by as much as one half of the cases. Second, date fruit might have a beneficial effect on labor duration, especially by 4-hour shortening of the latent phase.
Meta-analysis showed that date fruit consumption can significantly reduce the active phase of labor, and also significantly improve the bishop score.
2020 BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Effects of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on labor and delivery outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis Bagherzadeh Karimi A, Elmi A, Mirghafourvand M, Baghervand Navid R
Systematic Review Date Fruit Labour Induction
Based on the performed searches, this is the first systematic review conducted on the effects of date on bishop score and frequency of caesarean section, and second one on the effects of date on the duration of labor stages. Meta-analysis showed that the consumption of date fruit can significantly reduce the duration of the active phase and improve the bishop score, and may reduce the frequency of cesarean section in intervention group compared to control group. Based on meta-analysis, date palm fruit consumption resulted in a significant reduction in the duration of active phase of labor compared with control group; however, it is not observed in the first, second, and the third stage of labor.
Eating date fruits seems to reduce gestation duration and duration of the first stage of labor, and also increase cervical dilation on admission.
2019 Complementary Therapies in Medicine Effects of consuming date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera Linn) on gestation, labor, and delivery: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials Nasiri M, Gheibi Z, Miri A, Rahmani J, Asadi M, Sadeghi O, et al.
Systematic Review Cervical Dilation Date Fruit Labour Induction
In total, 11 and 8 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that date fruit consumption significantly reduced gestation duration, increased cervical dilation on admission, and shorten duration of first stage of labor. Also, it was revealed that date fruit consumption significantly reduced duration of second stage of labor in fixed-effects model; however, this effect was not significant in random-effects analysis.
Administration of honey saffron syrup reduces the length of all stages of labor in nulliparous women.
2019 Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International The Effect of Honey Saffron Syrup on Labor Progression in Nulliparous Women Ghaderi S, Zaheri F, Nouri B, Shahoei R
Randomised Controlled Trial Honey Labour Labour Induction
The study divided eligible nulliparous women randomly into three equal groups. The first group was given saffron syrup prepared with honey, the second group received saffron syrup made with sugar, and the control group received a placebo. These were given orally every two hours. Analysis was conducted via Fisher’s test, ANOVA with Fisher’s post hoc test, and a Repeated measure statistical method.
In the results, it was evident that the mean duration of labor in the groups administered with the saffron syrups was significantly shorter than in the control group. Moreover, the length of the first stage of labor in the honey saffron syrup group was considerably less than in the sugar saffron syrup group. This indicates the effectiveness of honey saffron in shortening labor duration.
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While the research shows that castor oil can be effective in labour induction, in practice, it is highly discouraged for pregnant women to consume castor oil by themselves due to the potential for overdosing and side effects. For labour induction, castor oil should not be used without medical supervision.
—Jinnan C 8 Jan 2024