--- title: Does Chinese herbal medicine reduce PMS symptoms? | Niyora description: Yes. Chinese herbal medicine significantly reduced PMS symptoms (p < 0.001) with no adverse effects reported. Both groups received herbs and placebo in sequen url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-controlled-trial-of-chinese-herbal-medicine-for-premenstrual-syndrome-2008/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does Chinese herbal medicine reduce PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2008 # Does Chinese herbal medicine reduce PMS symptoms? Yes. Chinese herbal medicine significantly reduced PMS symptoms (p < 0.001) with no adverse effects reported. Both groups received herbs and placebo in sequence, making the study design complex. Moderate study design 61 Australian women with PMS ## What they did This was a controlled trial with 61 Australian women with PMS. Women were assigned to different groups based on traditional Chinese medicine patterns. Each group received both Chinese herbal medicine and placebo, given one after the other over a 3-month period. Symptoms were assessed at baseline and at the end of each treatment period. ## What they found Highly significant symptom reductions (p < 0.001) were found between baseline and the end of the third herbal treatment month in almost all assessments in both groups. Perceived stress showed significant improvement (p < 0.05) only in the group that received herbs first. No adverse effects were reported by any participant. ## What it means for you Chinese herbal medicine appears to reduce PMS symptoms significantly with no side effects. However, the complex design (sequential herbs and placebo) makes results harder to interpret. Strengths include no side effects and significant reductions. Limitations are the small sample (61 women), Australian population, and sequential design. 61 Australian women with PMS 3 months study duration p < 0.001 significance of symptom reduction ## About the study Original title A controlled trial of Chinese herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome Authors Chou PB, Morse CA, Xu H Journal Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology Year 2008 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Chinese herbal medicine based on traditional Chinese medicine patterns, given sequentially with placebo over 3 months Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/01674820801893011](https://doi.org/10.1080/01674820801893011) Original abstract Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder troubling many women during their reproductive years. The Chinese have been using herbal medicines to treat menstrual cycle related symptoms for centuries. The present study examined the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of PMS among Australian women within the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Sixty-one women were assigned randomly into two groups within different TCM patterns. Herbal medicine and placebo were provided sequentially for a period of three months. There were significant differences (p 0.05). There were highly significant reductions (p < 0.001) between baseline and the end of the third herbal treatment month in all assessments in both groups except that a significant result (p < 0.05) was recorded on perceived stress only in the herbs-first group. No adverse effects were reported by any participant. The results support the hypothesis that the symptoms occurrence and severity of PMS can be effectively reduced by the use of Chinese herbal medicine. Reproduced under public-domain. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2026 Which traditional Chinese medicine treatments work best for PMS? Randomised trial, 2025 Do essential oils reduce PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2025 Which is more effective for PMS - Vitagnus, soy, or both together? Randomised trial, 2025 Does the PMSoff supplement help PMS and PMDD symptoms? Randomised trial, 2024 Is Jiawei Xiaoyao pill effective and safe for treating premenstrual syndrome? Randomised trial, 2024 Is Ganyushu Granule effective and safe for premenstrual syndrome? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗