Herbs as old potential treatments for lymphedema management: A systematic review.

Ali Montazeri, Zahra Sheikhi-Mobarakeh, Hossein Yarmohammadi, Parisa Mokhatri-Hesari, Shirin Fahimi, Ghazaleh Heydarirad

Journal: Complementary therapies in medicine 2021;55():102615

PMID: 33221590

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Herbs have been reported to be effective in reducing lymphedema burden. This paper aimed to review literature reporting on herbs for lymphedema treatment.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed using the PRISMA guideline. Clinical studies on herbal intervention and lymphedema were included. Evidence on the effectiveness of herbal interventions for desired outcomes including reduction of edema volume, other symptoms, quality of life and inflammation were collected and assessed in detail.

RESULTS

In all twenty studies were included in this review. Of these 14 studies were randomized clinical trials and the rest were prospective pilot studies. Herbal treatment was reported for breast cancer-related lymphedema in most studies and coumarin was the most reported herb that used for lymphedema management. Edema volume reduction (17 out of 20) and symptoms improvement (15 out of 20) were the outcomes reported in most studies.

CONCLUSION

Phytochemicals can be a promising pharmacotherapy for lymphedema management. However, further evidence is needed to establish definite effectiveness for the use of herbal remedies for lymphedema management.

Address: Traditional Persian Medicine, Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No. 8 Shams Alley, Vali-e-Asr Street, Tehran, 1516745811, Iran; Quality of Life Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, No.146, South Gandi Ave, Vanak Sq, Tehran, 1517964311, Iran; Integrative Oncology Research Group, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, No.146, South Gandi Ave, Vanak Sq, Tehran, 1517964311, Iran.; Quality of Life Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, No.146, South Gandi Ave, Vanak Sq, Tehran, 1517964311, Iran; Medical Students Research Committee, Shahed University College of Medicine, Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Italy Street, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, Iran.; Integrative Oncology Research Group, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, No.146, South Gandi Ave, Vanak Sq, Tehran, 1517964311, Iran; Population Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.; Traditional Medicine and Material Medical Research Center, Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No.19, Tavaneer Alley, Vali-e-Asr Ave, Tehran, Iran.; Population Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.; Traditional Persian Medicine, Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No. 8 Shams Alley, Vali-e-Asr Street, Tehran, 1516745811, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102615

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Lymphedema, Medicine, Traditional, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal