A study by German scientists has revealed that an herb once used to dampen a woman’s libido may help to ease the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Researchers studied 170 women with PMS over three menstrual cycles. Half were given the herb agnus castus, also known as the chasteberry, while the remainder received a placebo. The study findings showed that the supplement significantly improved symptoms of PMS such as headache, mood swings, breast tenderness, and irritability. More than half of the women who took the herbal supplement reported a 50% or greater reduction in their symptoms, compared to just 24% of those receiving the placebo.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: British Medical Journal 2001; 322:134-137
