---
title: Does anise reduce PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes. Anise significantly decreased PMS symptom intensity compared to placebo over two menstrual cycles.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/could-anise-decrease-the-intensity-of-premenstrual-syndrome-symptoms-in-2020/
---

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- Does anise reduce PMS symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2020

# Does anise reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes. Anise significantly decreased PMS symptom intensity compared to placebo over two menstrual cycles.

 Moderate study design

67 college students aged 18 to 35 with PMS

## What they did

College students with PMS aged 18 to 35 were randomly assigned to 110 mg anise capsules three times daily (330 mg per day) or placebo. Both took capsules for 10 days per cycle (7 days before period plus 3 days after) for two consecutive cycles. 67 students participated and completed the study. Symptom intensity was measured using a standard screening tool.

## What they found

After the first menstrual cycle, the anise group's symptom score decreased by 13.9 points compared to placebo (p<0.001, 95% confidence interval: 16.5 to 11.4). After the second cycle, the score decreased by 9.8 points (p<0.001, 95% confidence interval: 12.4 to 7.3).

## What it means for you

Anise significantly reduced PMS symptoms in both cycles tested, and the results were statistically very reliable. The main limitation is that it is not clear how these point decreases translate to practical symptom relief.

67

participants

330

mg anise per day

2

menstrual cycles

## About the study

Original title Could Anise decrease the intensity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms in comparison to placebo? A double-blind randomized clinical trial Authors Farahmand M, Khalili D, Ramezani Tehrani F et al. Journal Journal of complementary & integrative medicine Year 2020 Study design Randomised trial Participants 35 What was tested 110 mg anise capsules three times daily (330 mg per day total) for 10 days per cycle, over two cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2019-0077](https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2019-0077)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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