November 21, 1999
A clinical trial with 175 women in Germany compared
Vitex extract (chaste tree berry)
with pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) in their ability to alleviate symptoms of PMS.
Both substances
show considerable promise based on earlier research as effective agents for
PMS complaints.
Vitex is approved by the
German E Commission for treatment of PMS and menstrual irregularities.
It is available in Germany in a standardized capsule formulation.
In this clinical trial, though both Vitex and Vitamin
B6 showed improvements in typical PMS
complaints (such as breast tenderness, swelling, inner tension, depression,
and headaches),
Vitex was somewhat more effective. The Vitex group did report more side effects,
including
headache and gastrointestinal problems. The journal reference is: Lauritzen
C, Reuter HD,
Repges R, Bohnert K-J, Schmidt U. (1997). Treatment of premenstrual tension
syndrome with
Vitex agnus castus. Controlled, double-blind study versus pyridoxine. Phytomedicine,
4(3):183-189.
Another study supports tea tree's effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Allergens in tea tree caused by the oil's exposure to light
Echinacea for early treatment, not prevention
German chamomile used to ease benzodiazepine withdrawal
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