Fruit extract a new weapon in the PMS battle
24 January 2001
A study into the fruits of Vitex agnus castus, or the chaste tree, has found that a dry extract of the fruit is effective in treating the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), according to research published in the British Medical Journal in January 2001.
Researchers from Germany’s Institute for Health Care and Science studied 170 women who had been diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome, assessing symptoms such as irritability, mood alteration, anger, headache, breast fullness and bloating at the beginning of the first cycle and end of the 3rd cycle.
It was found that patients who received the agnus castus showed a significant improvement in symptoms, compared to the placebo (dummy drug used as a control) group. Of the 6 symptoms, only bloating was unaffected.
The study concluded that more than half the women had 50 per cent or greater improvement overall, with few and mild side effects.
Last Reviewed: 25 January 2001
- 1. British Medical Journal 2001; 322: 134-137
