---
title: Do traditional Chinese herbal medicines work for PMS? | Niyora
description: One well-designed study shows Jingqianping granule works for PMS, but there are only 2 studies total so we need more evidence.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/chinese-herbal-medicine-for-premenstrual-syndrome-2009/
---

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- Do traditional Chinese herbal medicines work for PMS?

Systematic review, 2009

# Do traditional Chinese herbal medicines work for PMS?

One well-designed study shows Jingqianping granule works for PMS, but there are only 2 studies total so we need more evidence.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMS (549 total across 2 randomised controlled trials)

## What they did

Searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Chinese biomedical databases from 1950-2007 for randomised controlled trials of traditional Chinese herbal medicines for PMS. Two reviewers confirmed randomisation procedures and extracted data. Included 2 RCTs with 549 women total.

## What they found

One trial of higher methodological quality showed Jingqianping granule was effective for PMS. The other study was lower quality due to various biases. Jingqianping granule eliminated more symptoms than Xiaoyaowan in proliferative and premenstrual phases (risk ratio 3.50). Women treated with Cipher decoction had higher recovery rates than those taking Co-vitamin B6 capsules (risk ratio 48.99).

## What it means for you

One well-designed trial showed Jingqianping granule reduces PMS symptoms, but with only 2 studies total we cannot be confident in recommending it. More high-quality trials are needed before any final conclusions.

2

RCTs included

549

Women studied

3.50

Risk ratio Jingqianping vs Xiaoyaowan

## About the study

Original title Chinese herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome Authors Jing Z, Yang X, Ismail KM et al. Journal The Cochrane database of systematic reviews Year 2009 Study design Systematic review What was tested Traditional Chinese herbal medicines: Jingqianping granule, Xiaoyaowan, Cipher decoction Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd006414.pub2](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd006414.pub2)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)

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