Fitoterápicos e plantas medicinais na prática de promoção da saúde da mulher: revisão integrativa

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the prescription of phytotherapeutic and medicinal plants for women's health. Therefore, an integrative literature review was developed. The search and selection of the studies were carried out in the databases LILACS, CINAHL, PUBMED and SCOPUS. Using the descriptors Nursing, Herbs, Medicinal, Phytotherapy, Woman, Women, Female, Females, Medicinal Plant, Prescriptions, Prescription and Women's Health. The sample consisted of 14 non-experimental studies. Regarding the results, published studies included the period from 2008 to 2018, showing a higher prevalence in the years 2011 to 2017. As for the country of origin, 35.71% were published in Brazil, 14.28% in France, Taiwan and Switzerland and 7.14% from Mexico and Korea. Regarding the prescription by the professionals, the doctors were the most prevalent, followed by the nurses. Among the most used therapies we observed Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, Cyperus rotundus, Leonurus heterophyllus and, Malva. Given the scenario of this review, it is necessary to do more research related to the efficacy and the use of phytotherapics, as well as the medicinal plants, in order to strengthen this knowledge in the literature and to be inserted into the professionals' daily routine. In addition, continuing education is needed for professionals who are already working, as well as disciplines in undergraduate courses that report these natural medicines for women's health care. Finally, it was identified the need to develop experimental clinical studies involving the subject, since the studies of this review were classified with level of evidence IV. It is inferred that it is indispensable the development of researches with designs that produce strong evidences related to the subject.