Native Iranian Plant Flora in Traditional Medicine for Vaginitis: A Review

In Iranian traditional medicine, numerous medicinal plants are utilized to treat a variety of women’s health issues, including vaginitis, owing to their antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review was conducted on credible sources and traditional Iranian medicine texts, as well as information on medicinal plants from Iran, to explore medicinal plants introduced for the treatment of vaginitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of these plants in the treatment of vaginitis and compare them to modern therapeutic approaches. Key medicinal plants included Allium sativum L., Pistacia atlantica Desf., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Cocos nucifera L., Aloe barbadensis Mill., Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Artemisia absinthium L., Calendula officinalis L., Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., Berberis vulgaris L., Hypericum perforatum L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Salvia officinalis L., Thymus vulgaris L., Origanum vulgare L., Melissa officinalis L., Hyssopus officinalis L., Mentha piperita L., Ziziphora tenuior (L.) Boiss., Punica granatum L., Althaea officinalis L., Myrtus communis L., Antifungal and antibacterial (53), Strong disinfectant (54), Olea europaea L., Nigella sativa L., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Curcuma longa L., Zingiber officinale Roscoe are also used in Iranian traditional medicine for treating vaginitis. These plants not only help alleviate symptoms but also contribute to improving the vaginal microbial environment and enhancing immune system function.