Systematic review, 2017
Does the herb chaste-berry (Vitex agnus-castus) really reduce PMS symptoms?
A pooled analysis of 14 trials found a large average benefit of chaste-berry over placebo for PMS symptoms, but the underlying studies had a high risk of bias and very inconsistent results, so this cannot be taken as a firm conclusion.
What they did
Researchers searched for all randomized controlled trials testing Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) in women with PMS and/or PMDD. They found 17 RCTs, and 14 of these could be combined in a quantitative meta-analysis.
What they found
Almost all trials except one found VAC worked better than placebo, vitamin B6, or magnesium for total symptoms or specific symptom clusters. The combined effect in placebo-controlled trials was large (Hedge's g: -1.21, 95% CI -1.53 to -0.88), but results varied enormously between studies (I2 = 91%), and statistical tests suggested possible publication bias.
What it means for you
The numbers look promising, but the high risk of bias, huge differences between study results, and signs of publication bias mean the true benefit of chaste-berry for PMS is still uncertain. It should be seen as an early, not a proven, finding.
17 / 14
RCTs found / in meta-analysis
-1.21
Pooled effect (Hedge's g)
91%
Heterogeneity (I2)
About the study
- Original title
- The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste-berry): A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors
- Peter F.J. Schulte, A. Verkaik, Astrid Mariska Kamperman et al.
- Journal
- European Psychiatry
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Vitex agnus-castus (chaste-berry) vs placebo, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), or magnesium.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1863
Topics
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