Naturopathic health

Agnus Castus & PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome)

AR Schellenburg et al published a paper in The British Medical Journal on research into the treatment of premenstrual syndrome with Agnus Castus fruit extract. This randomised, double blind, placebo controlled research was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of Agnus Castus with placebo. 170 women (active 86; placebo 84) with an average age of 36 and an average cycle of 28 days were evaluated.

Dry extract of Agnus Castus fruit was taken in tablet form, once daily. The women were asked to self assess over three cycles, considering irritability, mood alteration, anger, headache, breast fullness and other menstrual issues including bloating, looking both at individual symptoms and overall changes in severity.

Improvement was greater in the active group, with 52% of the active group reporting marked changes in the overall severity, as against 24% in the placebo group. Seven women (active 4; placebo 3) reported mild adverse effects, none of which caused discontinuation of the treatment.

The researchers concluded that dry extract of Agnus Castus fruit  is an effective and well tolerated treatment for the relief of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome

• Schellenberg R. Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study. BMJ 2001; 322(7279):134-7

Further research:

Herbal Medecine, Expanded Commission E Monographs; Senior Editor Blumenthal M; Editors Goldberg A., Brinckmann J. 2000

American Botanical Council. ESCOP Monographs, 2003 second edition, Completely revised and expanded Agni casti fructus p 8-13

Textbooks:

Principles and practice of Phytotherapy; Mills Simon and Bone Kerry; 2000 Churchill Livingstone. Chaste tree p 328 - 334

Research Papers

Wuttke W, JarryH, et al. Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)--pharmacology and clinical indications. Phytomedicine 2003; 10(4):348-357

Halaska M, Raus K. et al. Treatment of cyclical mastodynia using an extract of vitex agnus castus: results of a double-blind comparison with a placebo. Ceska Gynekol 1998; 63(5):388-392

Loch EG, Selle H, Boblitz N. Treatment of premenstural syndrome with a phytopharmaceutical formulation containing Vitex agnus castus. Journal of Womens Health Gender Based Medicine 200; 9(3):315-320

Berger D, Schaffer W, et al. Efficacy of Vitex agnus castusL. Extract Ze 440 in patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2000; 264(3):150-153

Vitex Agnus Castus can also be used for:

Balancing the menstrual cycle

Promoting breast milk flow

Improving female fertility

Treating hyperprolactinemia

Treating menopausal symptoms

For an excellent article reviewing the above properties try Positive Health Magazine Vitex agnus castus: A review by Dee Atkinson  originally published in issue 23 - Nov/Dec 1997

Research home

Herbal remedies

Agnus Castus herbal remedy

For more information on the use of Agnus castus

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