Primary dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, can disrupt a woman’s daily activities. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to control the symptoms of dysmenorrhea; however, they can produce adverse effects when used over a long period of time. Several medicinal plants have been shown to benefit dysmenorrhea. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Lauraceae) bark, which has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, is used to treat indigestion, abdominal cramps, intestinal spasms, and nausea, among other issues. These authors conducted a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial to investigate the effects of cinnamon on primary dysmenorrhea.

The study included 80 single, female college students with primary dysmenorrhea who lived in dormitories at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Isfahan, Iran. The participants had regular menstrual cycles (21 to 38 days) with mild to moderate menstrual pain and no history of gynecological or systemic diseases or allergies to herbs. Those who were using hormonal or analgesic drugs were…