The following herb is good for your PMS syndrome, this herb called Chaste Tree. Chaste tree often
suffers from mistaken identity. People may do a double take when they
first glimpse the leaves of this small tree, as their resemblance to the
leaves of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is striking. A blooming chaste tree is also frequently thought to be a butterfly bush (Buddleia),
because both plants produce long clusters of violet flowers beloved by
bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The flowers are followed by small,
fleshy fruits that contain dark brown seeds easily mistaken for
peppercorns in both appearance and taste. These seeds are chaste trees’
link to chastity, forged more than 2,500 years ago. In ancient Greece,
chaste tree was thought to calm sexual passion. It was an important
component of festivals held to honor Demeter, the goddess of
agriculture, fertility, and marriage. Women who remained chaste during
the festival adorned themselves with the tree’s fragrant blossoms. The
vestal virgins of ancient Rome carried twigs of chaste tree. The
Catholic Church in medieval Europe later adopted chaste tree as a symbol
of purity. Novitiates entering a monastery followed a path strewn with
chaste tree blossoms. Chaste tree seeds, believed to suppress sexual
desire, were ground and served in monastery dining halls to encourage
celibacy—thus the common name, monk’s pepper.
Therapeutic Uses
Premenstrual syndrome
Breast tenderness (mastalgia)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) involves a number of physical, psychological, and
emotional symptoms occurring 5 to 10 days before a woman’s menstrual
period. It is estimated that up to 90 percent of women experience
occasional PMS. The dried fruits of the chaste tree have been shown
repeatedly to dramatically improve the symptoms of PMS. Germany’s health
authorities recommend the herb for the treatment of PMS, menstrual
irregularity, and mastalgia, or breast tenderness.
A 3-month study published in the British Medical Journal
evaluated the effectiveness of chaste tree in 178 women with PMS.
Chaste tree users showed a significant improvement in PMS symptoms such
as irritability, moodiness, anger, headache, and breast fullness.
Overall, the reduction in PMS symptoms was 52 percent for women taking
chaste tree versus 24 percent for those taking placebo.
Another randomized, placebo-controlled study of chaste
tree was conducted in Beijing, China. It involved 208 women with PMS.
Women taking a 40-mg chaste tree extract had a significant reduction in
PMS symptoms compared with those taking placebo.
When the psychological symptoms of PMS are more severe
(premenstrual dysphoric disorder), the condition is typically treated
with antidepressant medication. A randomized, controlled trial found
that chaste tree was roughly equivalent to fluoxetine (Prozac) for
improving psychological and physical symptoms.
Chaste tree is sometimes recommended for women having
difficulty conceiving. Chaste tree extracts, used daily for at least 3
months, have been shown to restore progesterone levels, which may
improve female fertility. However, more investigation needs to be done
before recommendations can be made.
How to Use
Tea: Steep ½ teaspoon of dried chaste tree fruit in 1 cup of hot water for 5 to 7 minutes. Strain. Drink 1 cup each morning. Note:
The tea is somewhat spicy and acrid in taste.
Capsules: 250 to 500 mg of dried chaste tree fruit taken once per day.
Tincture: 2 to 3 ml of tincture taken daily each morning.
Standardized extract: 20 to 40 mg of chaste tree extract taken once per day.
Precautions
Chaste tree appears to be extremely well tolerated
in clinical trials. While no adverse effects have been reported in
pregnancy, women should consult a health-care provider before using
chaste tree for infertility.
Hope this herb can help to ease your pms syndrome :)
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