Hypericum and Vitex in clinical trials

I'm always skeptical of clinical trials on herbal medicines, but this one features leading medical herbalist Kerry Bone.

The researchers are seeking women aged between 40 and 60. The study focuses on women currently undergoing menopause, those approaching it and those in their early post-menopausal stage. Participants must be experiencing flushing and/or night sweats in conjunction with other menopausal symptoms such as anxiety, nervous tension, depression, mood changes or sleep disturbances.

Volunteers will be required to take either St John's Wort and Chaste Tree herbal tablets or identical dummy tablets for a period of 16 weeks, and complete short monthly questionnaires. Both herbs have a long tradition for treating menopausal symptoms and are widely prescribed by herbalists and naturopaths.

My only concern is that Vitex (Chaste Tree) can take up to three months before significant effects are noted. Sixteen weeks only gives a months breathing room. We'll see what happens

Posted by Evo Terra at October 25, 2004 02:07 PM | TrackBack (0)