Q. I have tried various nutritional supplements, including vitamin B6, for my severe PMS. Are there any herbs that can help?

A. There are at least three herbs that may be helpful in the treatment of PMS and related symptoms: chaste berry, angelica (dong quai), and licorice root. Of these three, I rate chaste berry the top herb for PMS, especially if you have acne, PMS-associated breast pain, infrequent menstrual periods, or a history of ovarian cysts. These conditions are characterized by an insufficient level of progesterone or an excess of the pituitary hormone prolactin.

Chaste berry is very effective against PMS by helping to restore proper hormone levels. In a head-to-head double-blind study, an extract of chaste berry was shown to produce better results than vitamin B6 therapy. Overall, about two-thirds of women taking chaste berry extract report significant improvement in their symptoms, while one-third experience complete relief of symptoms. The usual recommended amount of chaste berry extract (often standardized to contain 0.5% agnuside) in tablet or capsule form is 175 to 225 mg daily. If you use the liquid extract, the typical amount used is 2 ml daily.

I would still recommend taking a high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral formula that supplies adequate levels of vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium, and other nutrients important in helping to improve PMS symptoms.