---
title: Which herbs, vitamins and minerals help treat PMS? | Niyora
description: Only calcium has good evidence to work for PMS. Chasteberry and vitamin B6 may help, but most of the 62 products people try lack proper research.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/herbs-vitamins-and-minerals-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-a-2009/
---

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- Which herbs, vitamins and minerals help treat PMS?

Systematic review, 2009

# Which herbs, vitamins and minerals help treat PMS?

Only calcium has good evidence to work for PMS. Chasteberry and vitamin B6 may help, but most of the 62 products people try lack proper research.

 Strong study design

Women with PMS (specific numbers from studies not stated in abstract)

## What they did

Systematic review that searched medical databases from the beginning through April 2008 for randomized controlled trials testing herbs, vitamins or minerals for PMS. The reviewers looked for studies testing 62 different products.

## What they found

Only 10 of the 62 products had randomized controlled trial evidence. Calcium had good quality evidence. Chasteberry and vitamin B6 suggested to be effective. Some benefit seen with ginkgo, magnesium pyrrolidone, saffron, St. John's Wort, soy and vitamin E. Evening primrose oil and magnesium oxide showed no benefit.

## What it means for you

If you consider supplements for PMS, calcium is the most well-researched. Most herbal and vitamin products lack good evidence. Researchers need longer, larger studies with better quality products before we can trust most supplements.

62

herbs, vitamins and minerals identified

10

products with randomized controlled trial evidence

## About the study

Original title Herbs, vitamins and minerals in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review Authors Whelan AM, Jurgens TM, Naylor H Journal The Canadian journal of clinical pharmacology = Journal canadien de pharmacologie clinique Year 2009 Study design Systematic review What was tested herbs, vitamins, and minerals for PMS Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19923637/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19923637/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)[Magnesium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-magnesium/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)[Vitamin E](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-e/)[Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitex/)[Saffron](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-saffron/)[Evening primrose oil](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-evening-primrose/)[Ginkgo biloba](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ginkgo/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Review, 2023

Can herbs and supplements help with PMS symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2006

Which dietary supplements and herbs work for PMS?

Randomised trial, 2000

Which dietary supplements help PMS?

Review, 2002

What supplements or alternative treatments help PMS symptoms?

Systematic review, 2013

Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Survey study, 2023

Can diet help reduce PMS symptoms?

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