ABSTRACT
Women use botanical supplements throughout their lives, including during their reproductive years. Throughout history, women have used botanical products to ease pain, aid pregnancy, childbirth and lactation, and facilitate hormonal changes. This chapter discusses the uses, benefits, and safety concerns of commonly available botanical supplements during the various life stages of women, from menses through menopause. Each section discusses health concerns of women experiencing a specific reproductive or life stage. Evidence of clinical benefit from trials and case studies is presented when available and evaluated in light of differences in study design and products used. Information is given about the plant or plant part used and traditional uses for each botanical supplement is provided.160
