Randomised trial, 2014
Is chamomile extract more effective than mefenamic acid for premenstrual syndrome?
Yes, for emotional symptoms. Chamomile reduced emotional symptoms by about 30 to 33 percent while mefenamic acid reduced them by about 11 percent.
What they did
A randomized double-blind trial with 90 students living in dormitories in Iran. Women filled daily forms for 2 months to confirm PMS diagnosis. Then they received either chamomile 100mg or mefenamic acid 250mg three times daily for 2 menstrual cycles.
What they found
Emotional symptom reduction was 30.1 ± 26.6 and 33.4 ± 25.3 percent in the chamomile group compared to 11.6 ± 25.7 and 10.7 ± 26.8 percent in the mefenamic acid group after two cycles of treatment.
What it means for you
Chamomile may work better than mefenamic acid for emotional symptoms specifically. However, the study only measured emotional relief and was limited to Iranian students.
90
students in study
100mg
chamomile dose per dose
250mg
mefenamic acid dose per dose
About the study
- Original title
- Comparison of the effects of Matricaria chamomila (Chamomile) extract and mefenamic acid on the intensity of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Sharifi F, Simbar M, Mojab F et al.
- Journal
- Complementary therapies in clinical practice
- Year
- 2014
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 90
- What was tested
- Chamomile extract 100mg three times daily or mefenamic acid 250mg three times daily for 2 menstrual cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2013.09.002
Topics
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