Lab study, 2012
What's the best way to extract Yueanjian herb to treat PMS?
Steam-distillation produced the best results in rats with PMS symptoms, based on hormone and behavior changes. However, this was tested in rats, not in women, so it's unclear how it would work in people.
What they did
Researchers created a PMS-like condition in rats using stress. They treated the rats with Yueanjian herb extracted three different ways: water extraction, steam-distillation, and alcohol extraction. They measured hormones and behavior in all three groups.
What they found
Both steam-distilled and alcohol-extracted versions increased estradiol and progesterone (hormones that change through the cycle). The steam-distilled group showed much better behavior scores in an open-field test. The steam-distilled version also contained more salvianolic acid B, an active ingredient in the herb.
What it means for you
Steam-distillation may be the best way to prepare Yueanjian for treating PMS. The main limitation is that this was tested in rats, not women, so we don't know if these findings translate to actual PMS treatment in people.
3
Extraction methods tested
2
Hormones measured
About the study
- Original title
- [Study on preparation method of Yueanjian for treatmen of premenstrual syndrome]
- Authors
- Li X, Gan Y, Zhang H et al.
- Journal
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Lab study
- What was tested
- Three different extraction methods of Yueanjian herb
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22792790/
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2024
Is Jiawei Xiaoyao pill effective and safe for treating premenstrual syndrome?
Randomised trial, 2024
Is Ganyushu Granule effective and safe for premenstrual syndrome?
Systematic review, 2023
Does saffron help with PMS, labor pain, and menopause symptoms?
Review, 2018
Which women are most likely to experience hot flashes during menopause?
Review, 2017
Can combining different types of treatments help PMS more than using one approach alone?
Systematic review, 2017
Is Vitex agnus castus safe and effective for treating PMS and PMDD?