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The herb chasteberry is frequently called by its Latin names: vitex or, alternatively, agnus-castus. Good evidence tells us that chasteberry can be helpful for a condition called cyclic mastalgia, a condition where breast pain varies with the menstrual cycle.1,2,3 One well-designed double-blind placebo-controlled study also found evidence that it can help general PMS symptoms.4

A new study adds weak support to using chasteberry.5 In this open trial, 50 women with PMS were given chasteberry for three menstrual cycles. The results showed benefit.

However, due to the lack of a placebo group, this study demonstrates little. Placebo treatment has been found to benefit about 50% of women with PMS.6 Only double-blind placebo-controlled studies can truly demonstrate the effectiveness of a treatment for PMS, or any other condition.