Japanese citrus fruit yuzu alleviates PMS, concludes study

A recent study by researchers from Japan found that the fragrance of yuzu (Citrus junos) significantly improves symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This finding, which was published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, was based on the results of a single-blind randomized crossover study including 22 women in their 20s.

• These days, women tend to spend a greater portion of their lives menstruating than in the past because of lower birth rate, longer life, and younger menarche. This has significant effects on women’s physiologic, psychological, and social aspects of life.
• Most women also suffer from extreme changes in emotional and behavioral symptoms, called premenstrual syndrome (PMS), before menstruation begins. For some, PMS can be so severe that it affects their social, academic, and work performance.
• There are many factors that can influence the etiology of PMS, which makes it difficult to develop treatments that effectively address the discomfort that women face. One of these factors is a change in autonomic nervous system activity.
• Women often turn to complementary and alternative approaches like aromatherapy to remedy the symptoms of PMS. Most of the time they use lavender essential oil, but recently, yuzu has also been hypothesized to be effective due to its ability to induce feelings of well-being.
• Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit that resembles a small orange or tangerine. It is commonly used in traditional medicine to improve blood circulation, prevent colds, and remedy arthritis and rheumatism.
• In this study, the researchers first determined the severity of PMS symptoms based on pain, concentration, behavioral change, autonomic reactions, water retention, negative affect, arousal, and control using a questionnaire. They then proceeded to aroma stimulation for 10 minutes using either yuzu or lavender essential oil.
• To determine the effectiveness of yuzu, they assessed parameters such as autonomic nervous system activity and emotional symptoms.

From this study, the researchers found that yuzu fragrance inhalation significantly improved autonomic nervous system activity and emotional symptoms. These results prove that yuzu has potential use as a natural remedy for PMS.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

For more articles about natural remedies for PMS, visit WomensHealth.news.

Journal Reference:

Matsumoto T, Kimura T, Hayashi T. DOES JAPANESE CITRUS FRUIT YUZU (CITRUS JUNOS SIEB. EX TANAKA) FRAGRANCE HAVE LAVENDER-LIKE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS THAT ALLEVIATE PREMENSTRUAL EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS? A SINGLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER STUDY. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 1 June 2017;23(6). DOI: 10.1089/acm.2016.0328