Promise for PMS - updates - natural remedies for premenstrual syndrome symptoms - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, August, 2002

Black cohosh may be steadily gaining acceptance as a natural remedy for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, but, as any good herbalist will tell you, there's a veritable forest of herbs that can provide relief from the bloating and cramps many women experience during menses.

Vitex--Also known as chaste tree, virex has a proven record mitigating menopausal, menstrual and pre-menstrual difficulties.

Evening primrose oil--Seeds of a common wildflower provide this oil, which may be used to treat PMS symptoms.

Stinging nettle--The root and leaf of this plant help control menstrual flow.

Burdock--Common in the northern hemisphere, burdock is useful as a diuretic and for detoxification.

Raspberry leaf--The astringent properties of this common plant can help control menstrual cramps.

Skullcap--Useful as a mild sedative and in the treatment of anxiety, seizures and headaches, this plant grows in eastern North America.

Herbalist Susan Belsinger of Brookeville, Maryland, recommends taking undiluted tinctures rather than brewing teas from the herbs. Unfortunately, tinctures aren't very tasty.

Says Belsinger, "I've never taken a tincture that was delicious." To make it go down more easily, she suggests mixing the tincture with a morning glass of orange juice.