Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for PMDD
Ancient Therapies for Modern Relief
Living with PMDD can feel like being caught in a storm that arrives every month without warning. Emotions surge, fatigue deepens, and physical discomfort can become unbearable. For many women, conventional approaches alone—birth control, SSRIs, or symptom-focused medications—often provide incomplete relief. As a naturopath, trauma-informed emotional healing practitioner, and Family Constellations facilitator with lived experience of PMDD, I’ve seen how combining ancient therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine with modern understanding can make a profound difference.
Why Acupuncture Works for PMDD
Acupuncture is far more than just a method of inserting needles into the body. It is a way to communicate with the nervous system and regulate the intricate rhythms that govern mood, hormones, and stress responses.
PMDD is not simply about hormones being “out of balance”; it’s about how your body and nervous system react to natural hormonal fluctuations. Acupuncture works by modulating the autonomic nervous system, improving blood flow, and supporting the body’s natural ability to self-regulate.
In my clinic, I had a client who was exhausted by monthly episodes of anger and anxiety that felt impossible to control. After a series of acupuncture sessions focused on the liver and kidney meridians, alongside gentle nervous system regulation techniques, she reported that the emotional intensity of her luteal phase diminished significantly. She described it as “the storm still arrives, but it doesn’t feel like it’s tearing the house apart anymore.”
Acupuncture can help:
Calm emotional intensity
Reduce physical symptoms like cramping, breast tenderness, and headaches
Regulate sleep and appetite fluctuations
Support hormone balance indirectly by improving systemic function
Herbal Medicine for PMDD
Herbal medicine is another ancient modality that offers modern relevance for women with PMDD. Herbs work on multiple levels—physiological, emotional, and energetic—helping to regulate cycles, support the nervous system, and reduce inflammation.
Some herbs I frequently use in clinical practice include:
Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry): Supports progesterone balance and reduces irritability and mood swings
Saffron: Powerful for emotional regulation and mild depressive symptoms
Ashwagandha: Supports stress resilience and helps calm an overactive nervous system
Magnesium-rich herbs like nettle: Help with cramping, sleep, and nervous tension
I recall a client in her late twenties who had tried every supplement and diet change imaginable, but still struggled with extreme premenstrual sadness and tension. Introducing a personalised herbal protocol alongside acupuncture, combined with stress-modulating lifestyle adjustments, allowed her to experience her first luteal phase in years without feeling emotionally hijacked.
It’s important to remember that herbs are not a one-size-fits-all solution. PMDD is highly individual, and the most effective herbal interventions are tailored to the person’s constitution, symptoms, and cycle patterns.
Integrating Ancient Therapies Into a Modern PMDD Plan
The beauty of acupuncture and herbal medicine is that they complement other approaches rather than replace them. In my practice, I often combine these therapies with:
Nutritional guidance to support hormonal and nervous system health
Mind-body practices like gentle yoga and meditation
Trauma-informed emotional healing to address underlying stress and nervous system sensitisation
Even small changes can have a cumulative effect. Supporting the nervous system and hormonal regulation with ancient therapies provides a foundation for deeper healing, helping women move from survival mode to thriving through their cycles.
Practical Tips for Women Considering These Therapies
Find a practitioner experienced in PMDD: Not all acupuncturists or herbalists specialise in hormonal or menstrual conditions. Your practitioner should understand the unique needs of women with PMDD.
Track your symptoms: Journaling your cycle helps personalise treatments and identify patterns.
Consistency is key: These therapies work cumulatively. Regular sessions over a few cycles are often necessary to notice significant change.
Integrate, don’t isolate: Acupuncture and herbs are most effective when combined with supportive lifestyle and nervous system regulation practices.
Ancient therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine are not a magic cure. But they are powerful tools to help women feel seen, supported, and more resilient in the face of PMDD’s cyclical storm. When used thoughtfully, these approaches can transform how you experience your cycle, reduce suffering, and restore a sense of control over your body and emotions.
Camilla Brinkworth is a naturopath, trauma-informed emotional healing practitioner, and Family Constellations facilitator specialising in PMDD. Through PMDD Naturopath and Camilla Clare Holistic Health, she supports women globally to overcome PMDD using integrative naturopathy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, plant-rich nutrition, and nervous system-focused therapies.