Randomised trial, 2001
Does agnus castus help with PMS?
Yes, agnus castus was safe and effective for treating PMS in a randomized, blinded trial of 170 women, though this is based on one study.
What they did
A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial in 6 outpatient clinics. 178 women age 18 and older with PMS received either agnus castus 20 mg daily or placebo for three consecutive menstrual cycles. 170 women completed the study.
What they found
Agnus castus was safe and effective for treating premenstrual syndrome symptoms. The study used strict criteria to select women with PMS and excluded women with hormonal disorders, serious medical conditions, or those taking sex hormones.
What it means for you
Agnus castus appears to be a safe herbal option for PMS. However, only one study has tested it this way, and the specific numbers for how much each symptom improved are not provided in this summary. More research would strengthen the evidence and clarify which symptoms it helps most.
170
Women who completed the study
37 years
Mean age
20 mg
Daily dose of agnus castus
About the study
- Original title
- Agnus castus fruit extract was safe and effective for relieving symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and RCN Publishing Company Ltd
- Journal
- Evidence-Based Nursing
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 91
- What was tested
- Agnus castus 20 mg daily vs placebo
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1136/ebn.4.4.114
Topics
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