The comparision of Vitex Agnus Castus and Evening Primrose oil on women's depression: a clinical trial

Substantial number of people، for the treatment of various diseases، are seeking an alternative to conventional medicine. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders which is observed twice in women than in men and one of its causes in women is hormonal imbalance. Since the medicinal plants are effective in the treatment of this disorder، this research carried out to study the effect of Evening primrose oil، Vitex Agnus Castus and vitamin E، on depression in women with cyclic Mastalgia. In this clinical trial، 210 women with cyclic Mastalgia with the inclusion criteria were selected by convenience sampling، and randomly divided into three groups. At first، the level of depression measured by Beck Depression Inventory and then Vitex Agnus in the first group، Evening primrose oil in the second group and vitamin E in the third group were given for three months. Finally depression levels were assessed again by Beck Depression inventory (BDI). The data were collected and compared through statistical tests. Significant differences were observed in depression levels of patients before and after treatment in Vitex agnus and Evening primrose oil groups. But، no significant difference was observed before treatment and after treatment in Vitamin E group The results showed that these 2 herbal drugs reduced a similar rate of depression، but Vitex agnus drug is recommended to be used by women with depression، because it is more economical.