PCOS

Why it works: Anti-androgen effect (the main rationale). Small human trials found that drinking spearmint tea can lower free (and sometimes total) testosterone and raise LH/FSH, which may lessen...

Instructions: There isn’t a standardized medical dose. Human studies used tea, not capsules or essential oil:. • Dose used most often: 2 cups of spearmint tea per day.. • 30-day RCT in PCOS: par...

Warnings: General tolerance: Spearmint tea is widely consumed and generally well tolerated at food-like amount...

Studies: Human studiesAkdoğan et al., 2007 (Turkey) – 21 women with h...

Why it works: Insulin resistance is central in many cases of PCOS. Cinnamon compounds can improve insulin signaling (e.g., PI3-kinase activity) and glycemic control; insulin improvements can sec...

Instructions: Supplement form (matches the menstrual-cycle RCT):. • Dose: 1.5 g/day (often delivered as three 500 mg capsules per day) for 6 months in the menstrual-regularity trial; similar dos...

Warnings: Coumarin (liver safety) & species choice:. • Cassia cinnamon can be high in coumarin, which has a to...

Studies: Menstrual cyclicity RCT: Prospective, double-blind, placebo-...

Why it works: Targets “phlegm-damp” / metabolic-inflammatory features that overlap with PCOS. In TCM, CFDT dries Damp, transforms Phlegm, and regulates Qi; classically it’s used for obesity/amen...

Instructions: Form & composition. • Decoction (“tang”)—boiled tea made from raw herbs; classic base contains the items listed above and is commonly modified (e.g., to address insulin resistance,...

Warnings: Use with professional supervision only. CFDT is individualized; some component herbs have pregnancy/...

Studies: 2024 systematic review & meta-analysis (25 RCTs, n=1845)...

Why it works: Improves ovulation & pregnancy outcomes (as add-on therapy). A 2022/2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 RCTs (1,385 women) found that GZFLW added to standard Western the...

Instructions: Important: Dosing varies by manufacturer and by the individual’s pattern. In practice you (and your practitioner) select a standard pill/capsule extract and reassess every 4–8 week...

Warnings: Absolute/strong cautions. • Pregnancy: Traditionally contraindicated in pregnancy due to “blood-movi...

Studies: Systematic review & meta-analysis of RCTs (add-on therap...

Why it works: 1) Possible hormone-modulating (phytoestrogenic) effects. Shatavari roots are rich in steroidal saponins (“shatavarins”) that can interact with estrogen pathways. In vitro and anim...

Instructions: Powder (Churna; classical use): 3–6 g/day of root powder is a commonly cited Ayurvedic range (often split twice daily), typically taken with warm water or milk/ghee after meals. ni...

Warnings: Hormone-sensitive conditions: Because of phytoestrogenic activity, avoid or use only with specialist...

Studies: Human studies relevant to reproduction (but not definitive f...

Why it works: Insulin-sensitizing effects: Inositols act as second messengers in insulin signalling; improving insulin sensitivity can reduce ovarian androgen production, which helps cycle regul...

Instructions: Common regimens used in trials. • Myo-inositol 2 g twice daily (often with folic acid 200 µg), taken for 8–12+ weeks. European Review. • Combined MI:DCI in a 40:1 ratio (formulatio...

Warnings: Not a first-line or stand-alone treatment: Do not stop prescribed treatments (e.g., COCP or metformi...

Studies: 2024 J Clin Endocrinol Metab systematic review & meta-an...

Why it works: Targets insulin resistance (a root driver of PCOS). Berberine activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and improves insulin signaling (e.g., IRS-1/mTOR), which can lower fasti...

Instructions: Dose: Most clinical studies and medical summaries use 500 mg, two to three times daily with meals (total 1,000–1,500 mg/day). Starting lower and titrating helps GI tolerance (e.g.,...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid; berberine crosses the placenta and is not recommended in pregnancy...

Studies: Wei et al., 2012—Eur J Endocrinol (PCOS, insulin resistance)...

Why it works: Dopaminergic action → lower prolactin. Vitex appears to act on dopamine D2 receptors in the pituitary, which can suppress prolactin. If menstrual irregularity is driven by elevated...

Instructions: If you and your clinician decide to trial vitex (typically for PMS or suspected prolactin-related cycle issues), the only well-defined, regulator-endorsed dosing comes from the EMA...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Not recommended—insufficient safety data; may affect lactation. Stop if y...

Studies: Best evidence (not PCOS):PMS RCTs & meta-analyses. Multi...

Why it works: Anti-androgen/skin effects (acne & hirsutism): Zinc can inhibit 5-α-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to the more potent DHT in skin—mechanistically relevant to acne...

Instructions: 1) Dose & duration (adults):. • The RDA for women 19+ is 8 mg/day; the UL (max long-term without medical supervision) is 40 mg/day. Office of Dietary Supplements. • PCOS RCTs that...

Warnings: Do not exceed 40 mg/day long-term without medical supervision. Chronic high zinc can cause copper de...

Studies: PCOS-specific randomized trialsInsulin resistance & lipi...