CLAIMS:

1. Black Cohosh has long been recognized by Native Americans for its ability to relieve menstrual cramps. 1

2. Dong quai has been used in traditional Chinese and Native American medicine for centuries.2 Now it is commonly used to treat cramps and pain during menstruation, as well as to ease some of the symptoms of menopause. 1, 3, 4, 5

3. Wild yam -- sometimes known as Mexican yam -- contains saponins, which can be converted into estrogen and progesterone-like compounds, and thereby help to diminish the symptoms of hormonal imbalances. 6

4. Chasteberry – known as Vitex – has been used since the beginning of civilization for a variety of ailments. Most recently it is used to relieve the symptoms of PMS because it appears to help balance hormonal levels during menstruation. 7, 8 A study showed that Vitex was considered twice as effective as pyridoxine for alleviating the symptoms of PMS, such as irritability, mood alteration, anger, headache, breast fullness and bloating. 9

5. Historically, damiana has been used as an aphrodisiac and to relieve anxiety. Because of its progesterone-receptor binding nature, the extract of damiana is considered to help increase sexual libido and may also help to ease the anxiety that accompanies PMS. 10, 11, 12

6. Raspberry leaves have long been recommended for helping pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness and nausea.13 They have also been shown to help relieve menstrual pains.14

7. For nearly 2,000 years, feverfew has been used to prevent migraine headaches,15, 16, 17 which is sometimes a symptom that accompanies PMS.

8. Recent studies have found that juniper berries can help to ensure proper hormonal balances18 and, therefore, may be helpful in off-setting menstrual disorders.

References:
1. Hardy ML. Herbs of special interest to women. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash). 2000 Mar-Apr 40(2): 234-42.
2. Zhu DP. Dong Quai. Am J Chin Med. 1987 15(3-4): 117-25.
3. Fugh-Berman A. Herb-drug interactions. Lancet. 2000 Jan 8 355(9198): 134-8.
4. Hirata JD, Swiersz LM, Zell B, Small R, Ettinger B. Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fertil Steril. 1997 Dec 68(6): 981-6.
5. Shaw CR. The perimenopausal hot flash: epidemiology, physiology, and treatment. Nurse Pract. 1997 Mar 22(3): 55-6.
6. Dollbaum CM. Lab analyses of salivary DHEA and progesterone following ingestion of yam-containing products. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. Oct 1995:104.
7. Amann W. Amenorrhea. Favorable effect of Agnus castus (Agnolyt) on amenorrhea. ZFA (Stuttgart). 1982 Feb 10 58(4): 228-31.
8. Loch EG, Selle H, Boblitz N. Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with a phytopharmaceutical formulation containing Vitex agnus castus. J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2000 Apr 9(3): 315-20.
9. Tschudin S, Huber R. Treatment of cyclical mastalgia with a solution containing a Vitex agnus castus extract: Results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Breast 1999 8:175-181.
10. Auterhoff H, Haufel HP. Contents of Damiana drugs. Arch Pharm Ber Dtsch Pharm Ges. 1968 Jul 301(7): 537-44.
11. Lowry TP. Damiana. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1984 Jul-Sep 16(3): 267-8.
12. Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998 Mar 217(3): 369-78.
13. Simpson M, Parsons M, Greenwood J, Wade K. Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2001 Mar-Apr; 46(2): 51-9.
14. Wichtl M and NG Bisset (eds). Raspberry leaf -- In Herbal Drugs and Phyto-pharmaceuticals. (English translation by Norman Grainger Bisset). CRC Press, Stuttgart. pp. 434-436.
15. Pittler MH, Vogler BK, Ernst E. Feverfew for preventing migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000 (3):CD002286.
16. Prusinski A, Durko A, Niczyporuk-Turek A. Feverfew as a prophylactic treatment of migraine. Neurol Neurochir Pol. 1999 33 Suppl 5:89-95.
17. Vogler BK, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Feverfew as a preventive treatment for migraine: a systematic review. Cephalalgia. 1998 Dec18 (10): 704-8.
18. Wichtl M (ed). Juniperi fructus - Juniper berry: In Herbal Drugs and Phyto-pharmaceuticals. (English translation by Norman Grainger Bisset). CRC Press, Stuttgart. pp. 283-285.

Side effects:
Black cohosh may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, dizziness and/or bradycardia (reduced heart rate). There is some suggestion that women with breast cancer should avoid black cohosh until its effects on breast tissue have been better established.

Dong quai may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Dong quai should not be used in conjunction with other blood-thinning medications or supplements. Because of dong quai's ability to increase bleeding time, use should be discontinued as soon as menstruation begins.

Wild yam should be avoided in women with hormone sensitive conditions like uterine fibroids, endometriosis, breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers.

Possible side effects of Vitex include headache, nausea, gastrointestinal and abdominal discomfort, and a skin rash.

Damiana may have a mild laxative and stool-softening effect, especially when used at high doses.

Clinical studies have shown that long-term use of feverfew may cause mouth ulcers, gastrointestinal discomfort and dry mouth.

Use of juniper berries are not recommended in patients with inflammatory disorders of the kidneys.