Safety and effectiveness of marjoram and cinnamon herbal tea supplementation in managing polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age and the most common cause of infertility due to a lack of ovulation. This pilot study investigated the efficacy and safety of a three-month herbal tea intervention combining marjoram and cinnamon for managing PCOS symptoms. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with women diagnosed with PCOS (n = 60). A limited sample size was used for this pilot study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a twice-daily herbal tea (n = 30) or a placebo tea (n = 30) for 3 months. Monthly monitoring assessed compliance and adverse effects. RESULTS: Only 36 participants completed the treatment in the herbal intervention and placebo groups. No major side effects were reported in either group. In the placebo group, a significant decrease in anti-Müllerian hormone levels (P= 0.023, 95%-CI: 0.27 to 2.99), and significant increases in prolactin (P= 0.032, 95%-CI: -11.20 to -0.59) and high-density lipoprotein (P= 0.042, 95%-CI: -7.10 to -0.15) levels were observed. In the herbal intervention group, a significant increase in follicle-stimulating hormone levels (P= 0.032, 95%-CI: -0.95 to -0.05) and a significant decrease in AMH levels (P= 0.003, 95%-CI: 0.58 to 2.56) were found. CONCLUSION: This pilot trial suggests that a combination of marjoram and cinnamon herbal tea may positively influence hormonal profiles in women with PCOS, warranting further investigation with larger sample sizes and longer durations to confirm these findings and explore the clinical significance of the observed changes.