---
title: Does a traditional Chinese herb help PMS? | Niyora
description: In rats with PMS-like symptoms, Honghua Xiaoyao tablets improved mood-related behaviors and normalized stress hormones. But this is rat research, not human st
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/honghua-xiaoyao-tablets-ameliorate-premenstrual-syndrome-by-modulating-hpa-axis-2026/
---

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- Does a traditional Chinese herb help PMS?

Survey study, 2026

# Does a traditional Chinese herb help PMS?

In rats with PMS-like symptoms, Honghua Xiaoyao tablets improved mood-related behaviors and normalized stress hormones. But this is rat research, not human studies, so it cannot tell us if the herb helps real women with PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

Rats with induced PMS-like symptoms created by removing progesterone

## What they did

Researchers created a PMS-like condition in rats by withdrawing progesterone. They then gave some rats Honghua Xiaoyao tablets and others no treatment. They measured the rats' behavior, hormone levels, and studied the herb's effects on brain and ovarian tissue using molecular techniques.

## What they found

The herb improved mood-related behaviors in rats (more exploration, reduced freezing during stress, more enjoyment of sweet solutions). It normalized stress hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone) and increased mood-related chemicals (serotonin, prolactin) and estradiol. The herb worked by increasing estrogen production and reducing inflammation in the brain.

## What it means for you

This herb shows potential in animal research and appears to work through multiple pathways involving hormones and brain inflammation. But it has only been tested in rats, not in women. Human clinical trials would be needed before anyone should use it for PMS treatment.

2.52 to 950.10

micromolar binding strength range to herb targets

## About the study

Original title Honghua Xiaoyao tablets ameliorate premenstrual syndrome by modulating HPA axis and restoring ovarian estrogen synthesis to attenuate hippocampal neuroinflammation Authors Chen K, Gao S, Cai B et al. Journal Journal of ethnopharmacology Year 2026 Study design Survey study What was tested Honghua Xiaoyao tablets versus no treatment Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.120688](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.120688)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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.

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