Herbs: The PMS Allies
Herbs are powerful allies when it comes to PMS.
My absolute fave is Vitex (chaste berry).
Cyclic mastalgia (breast pain) is a common PMS complaint. And if you've ever experienced it, you know that it is not only painful, but also affects your quality of life.
A recent study concluded that Vitex is an effective treatment option for cyclic mastalgia.
We are going to nerd out a little here so I can give a little insight into the how and why🤓:
- Cyclic breast pain is associated with elevated prolactin (a hormone).
- Prolactin is, in part, regulated by dopamine (another hormone!)
- So - the more dopamine there is, the less prolactin is released.
- Vitex is well known for its dopaminergic activity.
(We are following, yes?)
A systematic review of the research on Vitex and cyclic mastalgia determined that Vitex was effective at lowering prolactin levels and reducing the intensity of cyclic mastalgia.
#iloveherbs
If cyclic breast pain is something that you are struggling with, book in and we can create a treatment plan to get you back to doing the things you love - all month long, and without the double sports bra!
As always the above is educational and informational only and is not medical advice or treatment. Always, ALWAYS consult with a health care provider to determine if Vitex (or any herb showcased here) is right for you. All herbs have contraindications and are only safe if used appropriately.