CHASTE BERRY

While it’s known by several different names (monk’s pepper, "the women’s herb") the best we came across, by far, was the "herb for female complaints". The name says it all. Sister stealing your clothes? Chaste berry. Boy drama? Chaste berry. PMS? Chaste berry. Ok, so the first two were a joke...but when it comes to treating symptoms of PMS, chaste berry means serious business.

TRADITIONALLY USED TO HELP ALLEVIATE
PERIOD BREAKOUTS*
MOOD SWINGS*
BREAST TENDERNESS*
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Research suggests that chaste berry extract may help clear premenstrual acne, all thanks to its ability to balance hormones. The valleys and peaks of hormones throughout your cycle cause increased oil production, inflammation and closed-off pores, creating the perfect environment for those pesky PMS blemishes. Chaste berry helps you stay ahead of premenstrual breakouts by telling your hormones to chill out. Further studies have found that chaste berry extract is superior to a placebo in terms of its efficacy in reducing the mood swings and breast tenderness that come with PMS. Take for instance a study published in the Journal of Women’s Health & Gender-Based Medicine, during which 1,634 patients suffering from PMS were treated with chasteberry extract. After three menstrual cycles, 93% of the women reported a decrease in symptoms including depression, anxiety, cravings, and mastodynia/mastalgia. Masto-what? Allow us to explain. Mastodynia and mastalgia are both fancy words for breast pain. Ever notice how your boobs tend to swell up and get *insanely* sore just before your period hits? That’s mastodynia. Chaste berry reduces that pain by suppressing the hormones that cause it.

DONG QUAI

If we’re being scientific, dong quai’s official name is Angelica sinensis, but it’s also commonly referred to as “female ginseng.” The herb hails from the same plant family as carrots, parsley, dill and celery, and is harvested from way up in the mountains of China, Japan and Korea. PMS symptoms so bad they’re worth trekking up a mountain to find relief? We get it. So what makes dong quai worth the trip? Long story short, it kills cramps.

TRADITIONALLY USED TO HELP ALLEVIATE
CRAMPS*
BLOATING*
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Long story long, research shows that the pharmacological effects of dong quai include the ability to relax smooth muscle within the uterus. Dong quai also contains ferulic acid, a natural anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory that can help to further relieve PMS symptoms like bloating and muscle pain. Less cramps = less feeling like an energy-zapped zombie when that time of the month rolls around. And that’s not even the best part. Further evidence shows that dong quai begins working its magic after just 30 minutes.