Randomised trial, 2016
Does lemon balm reduce menstrual bleeding in women with PMS?
No. Lemon balm alone and lemon balm combined with Nepeta menthoides did not reduce menstrual bleeding compared to placebo.
What they did
Triple-blind randomized trial with 93 female university students aged 18+. Three groups received either lemon balm capsules (500 mg), lemon balm combined with Nepeta menthoides (500 mg), or placebo twice daily during the luteal phase for 2 menstrual cycles.
What they found
There was no significant difference in menstrual bleeding between the three groups at 1 month (p = 0.602) or 2 months (p = 0.148) after the intervention started.
What it means for you
These herbs don't appear to help heavy menstrual bleeding in women with PMS. The study was only in student populations, so results may not apply to other women.
93
Female students in study
0.602
p-value for month 1 menstrual bleeding
0.148
p-value for month 2 menstrual bleeding
About the study
- Original title
- The Effects of Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) Alone and in Combination With Nepeta menthoides on the Menstrual Bleeding in Students With Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Authors
- Mojgan Mirghafourvand, Jamileh Malakouti, Sakineh Mohammad‐Alizadeh‐Charandabi et al.
- Journal
- Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 93
- What was tested
- Lemon balm capsules (500 mg) alone or combined with Nepeta menthoides (500 mg) twice daily during luteal phase for 2 cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.28941
Topics
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