Essential oil may reduce PMS symptoms

NEW YORK — A new study published in BioMed Central's open-access journal, Reproductive Health, found that essential fatty acids may reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms among women.

In a randomized, controlled trial of 120 women, Edilberto Rocha Filho worked with a team of researchers from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, administered 1 or 2 grams of essential oil. Women who were given capsules containing 2 grams of a combination of gamma linolenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, other polyunsaturated acids and vitamin E reported significantly eased PMS symptoms at both three and six months after they began the treatment.

"The negative effect of PMS on a woman's routine activities and quality of life may be significant, in addition to the repercussions on economic costs resulting predominantly from a reduction in productivity. Essential oil capsules can now be said to show much promise as a treatment," the researchers noted, adding that "the administration of the dietary supplement did not result in any changes in the total cholesterol in the patients evaluated."