title: The effect of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women.
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.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology , Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajhashemi
authors.affiliation: b Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology , Vali-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Zinat
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ghanbari
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology , Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran.
authors.forename: Minoo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Movahedi
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pharmacology , Shahrekord University of Medical Science , Shahrekord , Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafieian
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology , Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran.
authors.forename: Atefeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keivani
authors.affiliation: d Vali-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Fedyeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haghollahi
mesh_terms: D031162:Achillea; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004841:Episiotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010298:Parity; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Achillea millefolium; Hypericum perforatum; episiotomy; primiparous