Randomised trial, 2020
Does anise reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes. Anise significantly decreased PMS symptom intensity compared to placebo over two menstrual cycles.
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
Topics
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