Use of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Review

Premenstrual syndrome is a common condition in women and includes a range of emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms triggered by the menstrual cycle. Complementary and alternative medicine use is more prevalent in the treatment of diseases, and many women use medicinal plants without a physician’s prescription. Modified diet and use of herbal medicine may be one effective method in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. The purpose of this study was to collect information about medicinal plants used in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. This review studied articles obtained from data bases, Pubmed, Science Direct, MD Consult, Inter Science, and Iran Medex from 2000-2010. Several studies and trials have shown a reduction of premenstrual syndrome symptoms after consumption of Hypericum perforatum, Vitex agnus castus, saffron, ginkgo, and soy rather than the placebo group. Medicinal plants can be used in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome if certain precautions are followed. More studies are needed about these and other plants. [Nahid Golmakani, Samira Ebrahimzadeh Zagami. Use of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Review. Journal of American Science 2011;7(5):60-64]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience.org.