Evidence supporting the use of: Agnuside
For the health condition: Breasts (swelling and tenderness)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Agnuside is a key iridoid glycoside constituent of Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree), a medicinal plant used traditionally for various gynecological conditions, including premenstrual breast swelling and tenderness (mastalgia). The use of Vitex for mastalgia is well-documented in European herbal medicine, with records dating back centuries. Traditional usage is based on the belief that the plant modulates female hormones, particularly by reducing prolactin levels via dopaminergic effects, thereby alleviating cyclic breast pain and swelling associated with the menstrual cycle.

While agnuside is considered one of the active compounds within Vitex extracts, most clinical studies evaluate the whole extract rather than isolated agnuside. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews (e.g., Carmichael et al., 2008; Daniele et al., 2005) support the efficacy of Vitex extracts in reducing symptoms of cyclical mastalgia and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), though the evidence is moderate in quality and often does not isolate the effects of agnuside specifically. Thus, the justification for agnuside’s use rests primarily on traditional use and its presence in extracts that have some clinical support. However, direct scientific validation for agnuside alone as a treatment for breast swelling and tenderness is lacking.

More about Agnuside
More about Breasts (swelling and tenderness)

Products containing Agnuside

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