Effect of Matricaria Camomilla Aroma on Severity of first stage Labor Pain

Abstract Background and Aims: Labor pain relief is one of the challenges in health care systems in the most countries and is the main goal in midwifery cares. This study aimed to investigate the Effect of Matricaria Camomilla Aroma on Severity of first stage Labor Pain in primiparous women in Abhar Emdadi hospital, 2013. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial carried out on 130 eligible primiparous women (65 in intervention and 65 in control group) at Emdadi hospital of Abhar. In the aroma therapy group gauze were soaked in 2 drop of Matrica Camomilla water and in the control group gauze were soaked in 2 drop of distilled water and attached to the women's collars. Pain severity was measured in first and after intervention in 3-4, 5-7, and 8-10 centimeter dilatations. Data were collected by demographic and obstetrics questionnaire, observation and exam checklist and the numeral scale of pain measurement. Results: The mean pain severity score after the intervention in 3-4 cm (5/75 1/99), 5-7cm (7/84 1/52) and 8-10cm (8/55 1/22) decreased significantly compared with control group in dilatation 3-4 cm (6/93 1/96), 5-7 cm (9/41 0/63) and 8-10 cm (9/8 0/40). (p<0/005). Conclusion:The findings of the study revealed that aroma therapy using Matrica Camomilla water alleviates the labor pain. More research for uses Matrica Camomilla to reduce the labor pain is recommended

Digital girl:Cyberfeminism and the emancipation potential of digital entrepreneurship in emerging economies

Digital entrepreneurship has been described as a “great leveler” in terms of equalizing the entrepreneurial playing field for women. However, little is known of the emancipatory possibilities offered by digital entrepreneurship for women constrained by social and cultural practices such as male guardianship of female relatives and legally enforced gender segregation. In order to address this research gap, this paper examines women’s engagement in digital entrepreneurship in emerging economies with restrictive social and cultural practices. In so doing, we draw upon the analytical frameworks provided by entrepreneurship as emancipation and cyberfeminism. Using empirical data from an exploratory investigation of entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia, we examine how women use digital technologies in the pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunities. Our findings reveal that women in Saudi Arabia use digital entrepreneurship to transform their embodied selves and lived realities rather than to escape gender embodiment as offered by the online environment

Anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Allium ampeloprasum ethanol extract in rats

Background and objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Allium ampeloprasum (Leek) leaves on blood lipid profile in rats. Due to the side effects of chemical drugs and social tendency toward herbal medicines, it’s justified to propose new herbal remedies for prevention of cardiovascular disease. Methods: Thirty six adult male Wistar rats were used and divided into 6 groups. After induction of  hyperlipidemia, group I was fed with a normal diet, group II (control) with high cholesterol diet (containing 5% cholesterol and 5% olive oil), group III was fed with high cholesterol diet and lovastatin (10 mg/kg), group IV with high cholesterol diet and leek extract (50 mg/kg), group V received high cholesterol diet and Allium ampeloprasum (leek extract) 100 mg/kg and group VI was fed with high cholesterol diet and leek extract (250 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days through gavage. Serum cholesterol concentration, LDL, TG, HDL and ratios of CHO/HDL and LDL/HDL for each animal were analyzed by laboratory kits. Results: The regimen containing 50 mg/kg of extract resulted in a significant reduction in CHO levels (57.00 ± 2.25 mg/dL vs. 107.80 ± 3.54 mg/dL), LDL (22.00 ± 2.07 mg/dL vs. 35.80 ± 1.98 mg/dL) and CHO/HDL (1.44 ± 0.07 mg/dL vs. 2.55 ± 0.06 mg/dL) compared to the control group (p0.05). Conclusion: Theresults showed that ethanol extract of A. ampeloprasum could improve lipid profile comparable with lovastatin in rats. It was also conclude that 50 mg/kg dose of the extract showed the highest efficacy

Identification and determination of chemical compounds of five aromatic waters from Iran

Background and objectives: Herbal aromatic waters are one of the products used in the Iranian traditional medicine. These products have small amount of essential oil. The purpose of this study was to identify the effective substances of herbal aromatic waters by various techniques (GC/FID and GC/MS). It is hoped that with assessment of these compounds by mentioned techniques a suitable way could be found for standardization of the herbal aromatic waters. Methods: Four medicinal plants (Zataria multiflora, Fumaria parviflora, Rosa damascena, and Mentha spicata) and aromatic water of Salix aegyptiaca were purchased from Tehran and their aromatic waters were extracted by hydrodistillation. In the next step, the essential oils of these aromatic waters were extracted by n-hexane and injected into GC/FID and GC/MS and chemical compounds were identified. Also, the standard components (thymol, carvone and 2-phenylethanol) were injected to GC, separately and calibration curves were drawn. So, the content of the major components was calculated, carefully. Results: The results showed that the essential oil of F. parviflora contained more than 30 compounds. Its main compounds included carvacrol (16.7%) and dihydroactinidiolide (13.8%). The essential oil of Salix aegyptiaca had 27 different compounds including 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (33.3%) and heptacosane (28.1%). Z. multiflora, M. spicata and R. damascena essential oils contained thymol (0.065 mg/mL), carvone (0.01 mg/mL) and 2-phenylethanol (0.015 mg/mL), as the main component, respectively. Conclusion: These results can be helpful for standardization and quality control of aromatic waters used in Iran

Effects of licorice root extract on the number of nocturnal hot flashes in menopausal women

Background and aimMenopause entails many complications on women’s quality of life. Hot flashes is the most common and bothersome effect, mainly treated with hormonal therapy. However, because of its side effects, there is controversy over its administration. Thus, therapies with fewer complications such as herbs warrant investigation. The aim of this randomized double-blind clinical trial was to determine the effects of licorice root extract on the number of nocturnal hot flashes in menopausal women referring to healthcare centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2008. Materials and methods68 women were selected with purposive sampling method and randomly divided into 2 equal experimental and placebo groups. After taking their consent, data were gathered with a questionnaire and information forms validated through content method. Reliability was ensured by using standard brands for meter band, weights, stethoscope and sphygmomanometer calibrated according to guidelines of manufacturers. Both experimental and placebo groups took capsules containing 330 mg licorice and starch 3 times a day (morning, noon and night) over 4 weeks respectively. The numbers of nocturnal hot flashes were measured from 2 weeks before the intervention to the end of it. Data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5. FindingsMeans of age, duration of amenorrhea and duration of hot flashes were 53.13, 1.65 and 1.65 respectively. The numbers of hot flashes in the experimental group were 4.82 before the intervention and 1.05 after it with a significant difference. However, no significant difference was found before and after the intervention in the placebo group. ConclusionLicorice as an herb may decrease the number of nocturnal hot flashes in menopausal women, increasing their physical and psychological health. Keywords: Hot flashes, Menopause, Licorice.     *Corresponding Author: Fatemeh Nahidi. Lecturer, Dept. of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: [email protected]

Effects of chamomile essence aromatherapy on episiotomy pain of primiparous women

Background Pain is one of the most common complaints, putting the balance and health of patients at risk.  Episiotomy is a frequent surgical procedure causing pain. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used today for pain relief. Purpose This double-blind clinical trial was conducted to determine the effects of aromatherapy with chamomile essence on episiotomy pain in primiparous women referring to Shaheed Norani Hospital at Talesh town in 2007. Methods88 pregnant women undergoing episiotomy were selected by convenience sampling method and divided into 2 experimental and control groups. The experimental group was given sitz bath twice a day with chamomile essence while the other group used the same procedure with placebo. Both groups were taught pain severity assessment with a 10-point scale. The severity was assessed and documented in both groups on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days.  A questionnaire, a health facility assessment form, a visual scale for pain and an analgesic consumption sheet were used for data collection. Content validity and inter-rater reliability were used for the tools.  ResultsThe severities of pain in the experimental and control groups on the 7th and 14th days were [2.20±0.79, 2.30±0.82] and [0.48±0.59, 0.73±0.66] respectively with no significant difference.     Conclusion It seems that chamomile essence have no effect on the relief of episiotomy pain. Further studies in this regard are warranted. Keywords: Episiotomy pain, Chamomile essence, Aromatherapy.