January 15, 2001 – A German study of 1,634 women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has dramatically confirmed the effect of Vitex agnus-castus. After three menstrual cycles, 93% of study participants reported a decrease (for 51%) or complete cessation of symptoms (for 42%). Only 6% of the participants reported no change while 1% noted an increase in their symptoms.
The participants in this open study (the women knew what they were taking) had to take one capsule of Femicur, a dry extract of Vitex agnus-castus (concentrate 6.7 or 12.5: 1), equivalent to 20 mg of the dried fruit. At the end of the research, 81% of women said their condition had improved “very” or “a lot”.
No significant side effects were reported and 94% of women said they tolerated the preparation well or very well. The researchers reported a possible unintended effect because 19 of the 23 women who became pregnant during the study were from a group of 126 women (8% of the participants) who had never managed to become pregnant before. The researchers therefore note that it is possible that the Vitex agnus-castus sometimes restores fertility as traditional literature requires.
HealthPassport.net
Loch EG, Selle H, Boblitz N. Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with a phytopharmaceutical formulation containing Vitex agnus castus. J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2000 Apr; 9 (3): 315-20.
