Natural Herbal Remedy For Pms Treatment

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, affects some women in the lead up to their period. There may be as many as 100 symptoms associated with PMS, however, the United Kingdom's health information website, netdoctor, notes that the most common include depression, irritability, tiredness, weight gain and breast tenderness. According to netdoctor, making simple lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol intake and cutting down on cigarette smoking, may help some women better cope with their symptoms. Some herbs may provide relief as well, although there is little clinical evidence to prove that. Talk to your doctor before using herbs.

Herbs

There are several herbs that may help alleviate PMS symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Black cohosh is often used to treat women's health problems and chasteberry, sometimes known as vitex agnus-castus, may lessen PMS symptoms. In addition, St. John's wort may help alleviate the depression that is linked to PMS.

Dosage

Chasteberry, St John's wort and black cohosh can be taken as dietary supplements in pill or capsule form. You may also take black cohosh as a tea. The UMMC suggests taking 400 mg of a standardized extract of chasteberry once daily before breakfast, or you may prefer to take 20 mg to 40 mg of black cohosh twice daily. If you are suffering from PMS-associated depression, the UMMC suggests taking 300 mg of a standardized extract of St. John's wort two or three times daily. These dosages and treatment schedules should be used as a guideline only. Ask your doctor about the right dose for you.

Efficacy

The results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the April 2010 issue of the Australia and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology show that chasteberry was more effective in reducing moderate to severe PMS symptoms than a placebo treatment. In contrast, there is little scientific proof that black cohosh can alleviate PMS symptoms, the UMMC notes. MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, notes that St. John's wort is effective for mild to moderate depression. If you suffer from severe PMS-associated depression, St. John's wort may not be effective.

Side Effects

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, chasteberry is not associated with severe side effects, but it may cause dizziness, gastrointestinal problems and a rash. Short-term use of St. John's wort is likely safe for most people, notes MedlinePlus. However, it may cause restlessness, vivid dreams, stomach upset and diarrhea. NCCAM notes that black cohosh may cause liver failure or hepatitis, although these effects are rare. More common side effects include stomach upset and headache.

Contraindications

Some herbs have the potential to diminish or increase the effects of other medicines. For example, chasteberry and St. John's wort can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you are taking any other medications, speak to your doctor before using herbs. If you have any other medical condition, taking herbal supplements may worsen your condition. For example, St. John's wort might cause psychosis in people suffering from schizophrenia, while black cohosh and chasteberry may not be safe for women with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer and endometriosis.