Evidence supporting the use of: Vervain
For the health condition: PMS (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Vervain (Verbena officinalis, or related species) has a long-standing history of use in traditional herbal medicine systems, particularly in Europe. Historical sources indicate that vervain was used for a variety of conditions, including as a calming agent and for "female complaints," a term that sometimes encompassed symptoms now associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Herbalists have historically valued vervain for its purported antispasmodic, sedative, and mild analgesic effects, which might be relevant for PMS symptoms such as cramps, mood swings, and irritability. However, these uses are based largely on traditional European herbal texts and anecdotal accounts rather than systematic scientific investigation.
There is minimal direct scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of vervain for treating PMS. A few preclinical studies have suggested possible anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant properties, but robust clinical trials in humans addressing PMS are lacking. As such, vervain's use for PMS is primarily justified by tradition, and current scientific validation is weak to nonexistent. Its evidence rating for this indication is therefore low.
Other ingredients used for PMS (general)
27-deoxyacteinAerva lanata
Agnuside
Agrimonia pilosa
Alchemilla
Ashoka
ashwagandha
banana
bee pollen
beet
black cohosh
borage
borage oil
bupleurum falcatum
calcium
Calendula
chamomile
chaste tree
chocolate
Clary sage
Cnidium
cohosh
Cyathula
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai
dong quai root
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
equol (proprietary)
estrogen
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
Evodia
fennel
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
green tea
Gugglesterone
inositol
jujube
kudzu
Labisia pumila
Lady's Mantle
licorice root
lignans
liquid liver fractions
lotus
maca
macaenes
magnesium
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
Motherwort
peach
Phthalides
Phytoestrogens
Pimpinella
pollen
Pulsatilla
Pycnogenol
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
royal jelly
Rubiaceae
Rubus
sage
Soy
soybean
Sweet Bay
Sweet Orange alcohol
Szechuan lovage
Valerian root
Vervain
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Watermelon
Wild yam
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Vervain
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Burns and Scalds
Cold Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Depression
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Ear Infection or Earache
Emotional Sensitivity
Fever
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Insomnia
Itching
Laryngitis
Menopause
Nausea and Vomiting
Nervousness
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
