Labisia pumila
Evidence: LimitedUseful mainly for postmenopausal or perimenopausal women interested in a traditional women's-health botanical, with realistic expectations.
Quick decision guide
May help most
postmenopausal or perimenopausal women interested in a traditional women's-health botanical, with realistic expectations
Common dosing range
~280-560 mg/day standardized extract used in some studies
When to expect effects
Weeks to months
Watch out for
Human evidence is sparse; possible hormone-related (estrogenic) activity is not well characterized
What is it
Labisia pumila (also classified as Marantodes pumilum), known in Malaysia as Kacip Fatimah, is a herb traditionally used by women for postpartum recovery and reproductive health. Its extracts contain flavonoids and phenolic acids and have been studied mainly in cell and animal models, with only a few small human trials. Evidence in people is limited.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| menopausal and women's reproductive health support | Limited Evidence | Uncertain / modest | peri- and postmenopausal women | Weeks to months |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
menopausal and women's reproductive health support
Supplement benefitA small number of human studies of standardized Labisia pumila extract suggest possible improvements in postmenopausal well-being and metabolic or bone-related markers, supported by estrogenic and antioxidant activity in preclinical models. The human evidence is sparse and preliminary, and effects are not firmly established.
Bottom line: It may offer modest support for postmenopausal women, but human evidence is too limited to be confident.
Evidence is mixed
Findings come from a few small trials with varied endpoints and extract types, so benefits and the role of estrogenic activity remain uncertain.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- ~280-560 mg/day standardized extract
- Timing
- With a meal
- With food
- With food
- How long to try
- Trial 8-12 weeks
What to track
- Menopausal symptoms (e.g., hot flushes, well-being)
- Tolerability
- Any unusual hormonal or menstrual changes
Safety
Common side effects
mild gastrointestinal upset
Who should avoid it
- women with hormone-sensitive conditions (e.g., breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer) due to possible estrogenic activity
- pregnant or breastfeeding people
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Avoid in pregnancy; traditional postpartum use does not establish safety and high doses have raised concerns in animal studies.
Interactions
Possible estrogenic activity could add to or interfere with hormonal treatments
Choosing a product
Look for
- Standardized Labisia pumila/Marantodes pumilum extract
- Specified plant part and extraction ratio
- Heavy-metal/contaminant testing
Be skeptical of
- Natural hormone replacement
- Boosts fertility
- Cures menopausal symptoms
References by claim
menopausal and women's reproductive health support
- Norhayati et al., 2014 — PubMed (2014) link
Track Labisia pumila with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.