The Potential of Plantain Leaves (Plantago major L) and Turmeric Rhizome (Curcuma longa L) in Perineal Wound Healing
Abstract
Women giving birth vaginally are at risk of perineal tears. The perineal area is often overlooked, with wound infection rates of 0.1–23.6%. Its warm, moist environment near genitourinary and gastrointestinal flora impairs healing. Poor care may cause infection, dyspareunia, reduced quality of life, or death. Midwives need safe, non-pharmacological, traditional methods to accelerate healing. To evaluate the effect of a combined decoction of Plantago major L. and Curcuma longa L. on perineal wound healing time. A quasi-experimental post-test-only control group design included 34 postpartum mothers (n=34; mean age 26.4±3.2 years, gestational age 38–40 weeks) with first- or second-degree perineal tears. The intervention group (n=17) received perineal compresses with the decoction; controls (n=17) received boiled and cooled water. Healing was assessed daily using the REEDA Scale (Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation). Mean healing time in the intervention group was 5.5 days (SD ±0.72; median 5 days; 95% CI: 5.18–5.82) vs. 6.7 days (SD ±0.44; median 7 days; 95% CI: 6.51–6.89) in controls. The Mann–Whitney test showed a significant difference (p < 0.001). The combination of Plantago major L. and Curcuma longa L. is more effective than boiled water alone. Practical implications: This low-cost traditional decoction can be integrated into primary healthcare and community midwifery care to accelerate perineal wound healing, reduce complications, and improve maternal quality of life.
Keywords: Plantago Major L, Curcuma Longa, Perineal Wound, Healing
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Anggraini, Y. (2021). Can traditional medicine aloe vera heal perineum treatment in postpartum? Turkish Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 32(2), 2694–2699.
Anggreni, N., Maghfirah, R., Bachri, M. S., & Mahdi, N. (2024). Pengaruh pemberian subkronis minyak atsiri rimpang kunyit (Curcuma longa Linn.) terhadap aktivitas SGPT dan SGOT serum tikus Sprague-Dawley. JCPS (Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Sciences), 8(1), 743–748. https://doi.org/10.35747/jcps.v8i1.1542
Cakwira, H., Mukengere, M., Lucien, B., Aborode, A. T., Sironge, L., Michael, M. V., & Akilimali, A. (2022). The clinical characteristics of perineal tears: A study carried out on 14 pregnant women in a tertiary center: Case series. Annals of Medicine & Surgery, 82, 104432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104432
Chow, J. C., Rajagopal, M., & Por, C. S. (2023). Herbs with acute wound healing potential: A review. Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy, 17(4), 1506–1517. https://doi.org/10.5530/ctbp.2023.4.84
Dewi, K. T. A., Kartini, Sukweenadhi, J., & Avanti, C. (2019). Karakter fisik dan aktivitas antibakteri nanopartikel perak hasil green synthesis menggunakan ekstrak air daun sendok (Plantago major L.). Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 6(2), 69–81. https://doi.org/10.7454/psr.v6i2.4220
Faden, Y. A., Fatani, A. M., Fallatah, B. M., Rawa, T. S., Almasri, S. A., El Amin, N. O., Rawas, S. A., & Al-Hindi, M. Y. (2022). Examining the association between episiotomy and severe perineal tears in a tertiary care center implementing a restrictive episiotomy policy. Cureus, 14(11), e31606. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31606
Fratidhina, Y., Mulyati, S., Astri, H., & Maximus, S. (2023). Analysis of red betel leaf tests as a natural anti-infection in post partum mothers. Women, Midwives and Midwifery, 3(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.36749/wmm.3.1.35-44.2023
Fuloria, S., Mehta, J., Chandel, A., Sekar, M., Rani, N. N. I. M., Begum, M. Y., Subramaniyan, V., Chidambaram, K., Thangavelu, L., Nordin, R., Wu, Y. S., Sathasivam, K. V., Lum, P. T., Meenakshi, D. U., Kumarasamy, V., Azad, A. K., & Fuloria, N. K. (2022). A comprehensive review on the therapeutic potential of Curcuma longa Linn. in relation to its major active constituent curcumin. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 820806. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.820806
Genc, Y., Dereli, F. T. G., Saracoglu, I., & Akkol, E. K. (2020). The inhibitory effects of isolated constituents from Plantago major subsp. major L. on collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase enzymes: Potential wound healer. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 28(1), 101–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2019.11.011
Ghanadian, M., Soltani, R., Homayouni, A., Khorvash, F., Jouabadi, S. M., & Abdollahzadeh, M. (2024). The effect of Plantago major hydroalcoholic extract on the healing of diabetic foot and pressure ulcers: A randomized open-label controlled clinical trial. The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 23(3), 475–481. https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346211070723
Haesler, E. (2022). WHAM evidence summary: Topical turmeric for wound healing. WCET Journal, 42(3), 38–41. https://doi.org/10.33235/wcet.42.3.38-41
Hafanda, C. R., Alfitri, R., & Widiatrilupi, R. M. V. (2024). Pengaruh kunyit asam terhadap penyembuhan luka perineum derajat 2 pada ibu post partum hari ke-1 di Gondanglegi Kabupaten Malang. Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan Bhakti Husada: Health Sciences Journal, 15(1), 260–267. https://doi.org/10.34305/jikbh.v15i01.1029
Kaewsrisung, S., Sukpat, S., Issarasena, N., Patumraj, S., & Somboonwong, J. (2021). The effects of oral Aloe vera on the efficacy of transplanted human endothelial cells and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases in diabetic wound healing. Heliyon, 7(12), e08533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08533
Kasemwattanarot, P., Kunthakudee, N., Chutvirasakul, B., & Ramakul, P. (2024). Curcuminoid extraction from rhizomes of Curcuma longa via aqueous two phases system. Chemical Engineering Communications, 211(4), 492–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/00986445.2023.2253159
Keshavarzi, A., Montaseri, H., Akrami, R., Moradi Sarvestani, H., Khosravi, F., Foolad, S., Zardosht, M., Zareie, S., Saharkhiz, M. J., & Shahriarirad, R. (2022). Therapeutic efficacy of Great Plantain (Plantago major L) in the treatment of second-degree burn wounds: A case-control study. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4923277
Khan, M. A. O., Ramadugu, R., Suvvari, T. K., Vijayalakshmi, M., & Thomas, V. (2023). Irritant contact dermatitis due to povidone-iodine following a surgical intervention: An unusual case report. SAGE Open Medical Case Reports, 11, 10–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050313X231185620
Khasanah, Y. Y., Early, A. Y. R., & Saputri, W. A. (2022). The relationship between knowledge of postpartum mothers about perineal wound treatment with perineal wound healing. Indonesian Health Journal, 1(1), 7–12. https://doi.org/10.58344/ihj.v1i1.9
Khatimah, H., & Saleh, S. N. H. (2022). Faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan penyembuhan luka perineum pada ibu nifas di Puskesmas Batua Kota Makassar. Promotif: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat, 12(1), 95–101. https://doi.org/10.56338/pjkm.v12i1.2478
Mutia, W. O. N., Usman, A. N., Jaqin, N., Prihantono, Rahman, L., & Ahmad, M. (2021). Potency of complemeter therapy to the healing process of perineal wound; turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn) infusa. Gaceta Sanitaria, 35(2), S322–S326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2021.10.045
Okeahialam, N. A., Sultan, A. H., & Thakar, R. (2024). The prevention of perineal trauma during vaginal birth. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 230(3), S991–S1004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2022.06.021
Okeahialam, N. A., Thakar, R., & Sultan, A. H. (2021). Healing of disrupted perineal wounds after vaginal delivery: A poorly understood condition. British Journal of Nursing, 30(Sup20), S8–S16. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2021.30.Sup20.S8
Samuelsen, A. B. (2000). The traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Plantago major L. A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 71(1–2), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00212-9
Sinabariba, C. M. (2022). Formulasi dan karakterisasi sediaan nanoemulgel dari kombinasi ekstrak daun sendok (Plantago major L.) dan rimpang kunyit (Curcuma longa L.) sebagai sediaan topikal pada penyembuhan luka [Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Sumatera Utara]. https://repositori.usu.ac.id/handle/123456789/47321
Sinaga, A. H., & Manalu, A. I. (2021). Kajian etnobotani dan bioaktifitas tumbuhan obat Kabupaten Tapanuli Utara. JIFI (Jurnal Ilmiah Farmasi Imelda), 5(1), 21–25. https://doi.org/10.52943/jifarmasi.v5i1.618
Sinaga, R. Y., Prasetyaningsih, A., & Prakasita, V. C. (2020). Potensi ekstrak daun sendok (Plantago major L.) dan serai (Cymbopogon citratus L.) sebagai feet sanitizer alami. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Biologi, 6(1), 270–277. https://doi.org/10.24252/psb.v6i1.15864
Sukamti, S., & Noviani, V. A. (2024). Determinants of perineal wound healing in 2023. Journal of Health Technology Assessment in Midwifery, 7(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.31101/jhtam.3131
Suprihatin, T., Rahayu, S., Rifa’i, M., & Widyarti, S. (2020). Senyawa pada serbuk rimpang kunyit (Curcuma longa L.) yang berpotensi sebagai antioksidan. Buletin Anatomi Dan Fisiologi, 5(1), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.14710/baf.5.1.2020.35-42
Syarifuddin, A., & Amalia, R. (2021). Studi etnomedisin pada masyarakat 5 desa Kecamatan Secang Kabupaten Magelang. Jurnal Ilmiah Ibnu Sina (JIIS): Ilmu Farmasi Dan Kesehatan, 6(2), 368–378. https://doi.org/10.36387/jiis.v6i2.747
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30829/contagion.v8i3.28936
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Juana Linda Simbolon, Emilia Silvana Sitompul, Antetti Tampubolon
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
