The effect of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women.

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018 Jan;31(1):63-69. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1275549. Epub 2017 Feb 23. Hajhashemi M1, Ghanbari Z2, Movahedi M1, Rafieian M3, Keivani A1, Haghollahi F4. Author information 1 a Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology , Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran. 2 b Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology , Vali-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran. 3 c Department of Pharmacology , Shahrekord University of Medical Science , Shahrekord , Iran. 4 d Vali-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran. Abstract BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a double-blind clinical trial study performed on 140 primiparous women. They were randomly divided into four groups, each group containing 35 women: 2control groups including nonintervention and placebo ointment; and 2 case groups including Hypericum perforatum ointment and Achillea millefolium ointment. Healing process was assessed by five specifications: redness, ecchymosis, edema, discharge and wound dehiscence on 7th, 10th, and 14th days after delivery; pain level was assessed by means of visual analog scale. RESULTS: There was significant difference between groups in perineal pain level at 7th, 10th and 14th days postpartum, redness and edema at 7th and 10th days postpartum and ecchymosis at 7th day postpartum; the pain level, redness, edema and ecchymosis in groups who consume Hypericum perforatum and Achillea millefolium ointments were less than the control groups (p < 0.05). But, discharge and dehiscence incidence showed no significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments reduce perineal pain level, redness, edema and ecchymosis of episiotomy wound, so it seems that consuming them was useful for episiotomy treatment. KEYWORDS: Achillea millefolium; Hypericum perforatum; episiotomy; primiparous PMID: 28027682 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1275549 [Indexed for MEDLINE]