The effect of frankincense (Boswellia serrata, oleoresin) and ginger (Zingiber officinale, rhizoma) on heavy menstrual bleeding: A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of frankincense (Boswellia serrata, oleoresin) and ginger (Zingiber officinale, rhizoma) as complementary treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) among women of reproductive age. Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Setting: Gynecology outpatient clinics. Interventions: Patients with HMB (n = 102) were randomly assigned to three groups. All patients received ibuprofen (200 mg) and either frankincense (300 mg), ginger (300 mg), or a placebo, which contains 200 mg anhydrous lactose as the filling agent and was similar in appearance to the two other drugs. Patients received the medications three times a day for seven days of the menstrual cycle, starting from the first bleeding day and this was repeated for two consecutive menstrual cycles. Main outcome measures: Amount and duration of menstrual bleeding and quality of life (QOL). Results: Duration of menstrual bleeding was decreased in the frankincense (-1.77 +/- 2.47 days, P = 0.003) and ginger (-1.8 +/- 1.79 days, P = 0.001) groups, but not in the placebo group (- 0.52 +/- 1.86 days, P = 0.42). Amount of menstrual bleeding was decreased in all (P < 0.05), with no difference among the study groups (P > 0.05). More improvement in QOL was observed in the frankincense (- 25.7 +/- 31; P < 0.001) and ginger (- 29.2 +/- 3.7: P < 0.001) groups compared to the placebo group (-15.07 +/- 3.52; P < 0.001) and between the groups, differences were statistically significant (P = 0.02). Conclusions: Ginger and frankincense seem to be effective complementary treatments for HMB. Further studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are warranted in this regard.