Randomised trial, 2009
Does a combination of St. John's Wort and Chaste Tree help PMS-like symptoms in perimenopausal women?
The herbal combination significantly improved PMS symptoms, especially depression and food cravings, compared to placebo. The study was very small with only 14 women.
What they did
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial lasting 16 weeks in 14 late-perimenopausal women. Participants received either an herbal combination of St. John's Wort and Chaste Tree or placebo twice daily, with PMS symptoms measured every 4 weeks.
What they found
After 16 weeks, the herbal combination was significantly better than placebo for total PMS (p equals 0.02), depression (p equals 0.006) and food cravings (p equals 0.027). Anxiety (p equals 0.003) and water retention/bloating (p equals 0.002) also improved significantly. No trends appeared in the placebo group.
What it means for you
This herbal combination may help PMS-like symptoms in perimenopausal women. Main limitation: very small sample of only 14 women, so results need confirmation in a larger, dedicated trial.
14
women studied
16 weeks
study duration
p = 0.02
significance for total PMS score
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of a combination of Hypericum perforatum and Vitex agnus-castus on PMS-like symptoms in late-perimenopausal women: findings from a subpopulation analysis
- Authors
- van Die MD, Bone KM, Burger HG et al.
- Journal
- Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 14
- What was tested
- St. John's Wort and Chaste Tree combination, twice daily
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0539
Topics
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