You're not imagining it: supplement labels are confusing. Nine plant extracts, a vitamin and a list of milligram amounts that mean nothing without context. This is what I wish someone had told me when I first started reading them: the label tells you what's in the capsule, not what it will do for you.

So here is the full, plain-English breakdown of what's in MyOva Hormone Balance, what the research on each ingredient has (and hasn't) looked at, and who should speak to a professional before taking it. No hype, no promises. One honest line up front: no trial has tested this exact formula. Everything below is research on individual ingredients, usually at different doses and in different extracts.

In this guide:

• What's actually in MyOva Hormone Balance?
• How should you read the research on herbal supplements?
• What does the research say about each ingredient?
• Can a supplement replace HRT or treat a condition?
• Who should speak to a GP or pharmacist first?
• How do you take it?
• Frequently asked questions

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What's Actually in MyOva Hormone Balance?

Here is the full list for a daily serving of two capsules, taken from the product page. The capsule shell is HPMC (a plant-based material), so the product is vegan.

Ingredient	Extract strength	Per two capsules
Holy basil	4:1 extract	375 mg
Shatavari root	5:1 extract	300 mg
Ashwagandha (KSM-66®)	Root extract	250 mg
Turmeric	Extract, 95% curcuminoids	150 mg
Red clover	10:1 extract	100 mg
Sage leaf	10:1 extract (4% rosmarinic acid)	100 mg
Fennel seed	6:1 extract	100 mg
Rosemary leaf	10:1 extract	40 mg
Chamomile flower	10:1 extract	40 mg
Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, P5P)	Not applicable	10 mg

A note on those "4:1" and "10:1" figures: they describe how many kilograms of raw plant went into making one kilogram of extract. A higher ratio means a more concentrated extract, but it doesn't tell you how much of any active compound you're getting, and it makes comparing against research trials tricky. That matters, and we'll come back to it.

Only one ingredient here carries an authorised health claim in Great Britain: vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity. No such claim is authorised for any of the plant extracts, so none of this guide should be read as a promise about what they do.

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How Should You Read the Research on Herbal Supplements?

Plant research is messier than most people expect, and that's worth knowing before you read the ingredient-by-ingredient section. Four things come up again and again.

First, the extract matters. A trial on a branded 600 mg ashwagandha extract tells you about that extract at that dose, not about every ashwagandha product on the shelf. Second, many trials are small and short, often eight to twelve weeks, and many are paid for by the company that sells the extract. That doesn't make them wrong, but it's worth knowing. Third, most trials look at stress scores, hot flush counts or blood markers. Few look at the outcomes people actually care about over years. Fourth, lab and animal studies are not human studies. A plant compound that does something in a petri dish may do nothing in a person.

Keep those four points in mind as you read on. They're why this guide keeps saying "research has looked at" rather than "research shows".

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What Does the Research Say About Each Ingredient?

For each ingredient below you'll find what's in the formula, what trials have looked at, and what's worth knowing before you take it. We've named the studies so you can read them yourself.

Holy basil (375 mg)

What research has looked at: Holy basil (also called tulsi) is mostly studied for stress. In an eight-week, double-blind trial of 100 adults with stress, those taking 250 mg a day of a branded extract (Holixer™) saw their Perceived Stress Scale scores fall by 37%, compared with 19% on placebo. Scores on an insomnia scale fell by 48% versus 27%. There was no difference on mood or on the other sleep measures, and the trial was funded by the manufacturer [1]. A six-week trial of a different extract at 1,200 mg a day also reported lower stress scores [2]. A systematic review of tulsi in humans found 24 studies, and only three were high quality [3]. We found no human trials in PMOS (PCOS), endometriosis, PMDD or perimenopause.

Worth knowing: The formula uses a different extract from those trials. Animal studies suggest holy basil could affect fertility, so it isn't recommended in pregnancy or when trying to conceive. It may also interact with anticoagulants and diabetes medicines. Our deeper dive is in Holy Basil for Hormones.

Shatavari root (300 mg)

What research has looked at: Shatavari is a traditional Ayurvedic herb, and the human research is small. An eight-week trial in 80 women with perimenopausal symptoms used 300 mg a day of a more concentrated extract than the one in this formula [4]. In women with PMOS, a 2026 randomised trial did not meet its primary outcome [5]. Ideas about oestrogen-like activity come from laboratory work, not from proven effects in people.

Worth knowing: Avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and speak to a doctor first if you have a hormone-sensitive condition. More in our shatavari guide.

Ashwagandha, KSM-66® (250 mg)

What research has looked at: A well-known trial of a high-concentration root extract (the type of extract KSM-66® is) gave 64 adults 600 mg a day for 60 days and reported lower stress and anxiety scores than placebo [6]. The formula contains 250 mg, less than half that dose. Reviews of ashwagandha trials overall have been mixed, and the trials are usually small and short. We found no randomised trial in PMOS.

Worth knowing: This is the ingredient to be most careful with. Cases of liver injury linked to ashwagandha products have been reported [7]. It is not for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and anyone with a liver or thyroid condition, an autoimmune condition, or who takes sedatives or immunosuppressant medicine should speak to their GP first. See also our ashwagandha guide.

Turmeric extract, 95% curcuminoids (150 mg)

What research has looked at: A meta-analysis of 7 randomised trials in 447 women with PMOS found that curcumin lowered HOMA-IR, a marker of insulin resistance, by 0.57 on average, but made no difference to testosterone or to LH and FSH [8]. In endometriosis, a triple-blind trial found curcumin did not change painful symptoms compared with placebo [9]. Curcumin is poorly absorbed, and trials generally used higher doses than 150 mg of extract.

Worth knowing: Rare cases of liver injury have been reported with turmeric supplements [10]. Speak to a professional first if you have a liver or gallbladder condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take anticoagulants.

Red clover (100 mg)

What research has looked at: Red clover contains isoflavones, plant compounds that can bind to oestrogen receptors in laboratory tests [11]. Hot flushes are where the research is. One pooled analysis found women on red clover had about 1.7 fewer hot flushes a day on average, but the range was wide (95% CI -3.28 to -0.18) and results varied a lot between trials [12]. Another meta-analysis found a difference that was not statistically significant (-1.99 flushes a day, 95% CI -4.12 to 0.139) [13]. The Cochrane review of phytoestrogens concluded there was no conclusive evidence that they reduce hot flush frequency or severity [14].

Worth knowing: NICE says there is some evidence that isoflavones may relieve hot flushes, but that many preparations exist, their safety is uncertain and interactions with other medicines have been reported [15]. The formula doesn't state its isoflavone content. Avoid it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and when trying to conceive, and speak to your doctor if you have a hormone-sensitive condition or take anticoagulants. Our red clover guide goes deeper.

Sage leaf (100 mg)

What research has looked at: Sage and hot flushes is one of the more-studied pairings, though the quality varies. A single-arm, open-label study of a fresh sage tablet (71 enrolled, no placebo group) reported a 64% fall in hot flush intensity at eight weeks, and was funded by the product's maker [16]. A double-blind trial in 66 women used 300 mg a day of sage extract, three times what the formula contains [17]. Another manufacturer-funded trial studied a branded sage product over four weeks [18]. A meta-analysis of four randomised trials found the drop in hot flush frequency was not statistically significant, and severity didn't differ either [19]. Claims about sage acting on brain receptors come from laboratory studies [20]. Our full write-up is Does Sage Actually Help With Hot Flushes?

Worth knowing: Sage is traditionally used for short periods. Avoid it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and epilepsy, and check with a pharmacist before taking it long term.

Fennel seed (100 mg)

What research has looked at: A meta-analysis of fennel for period pain pooled trials that were mostly run in Iran and varied hugely from one to the next (I² of 98%), so the result is hard to interpret [21]. A 50-woman trial in menopausal symptoms reported a high placebo response [22]. The suggestion that fennel acts like oestrogen comes from laboratory and animal work.

Worth knowing: Avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you're allergic to celery, carrot or other members of the parsley family, speak to a pharmacist first.

Chamomile flower (40 mg)

What research has looked at: The notable chamomile trials were in generalised anxiety disorder, a diagnosed condition, not PMS or hormonal symptoms. One used a standardised extract that was titrated up to 1,100 mg a day [23]. A later long-term trial's primary outcome, preventing relapse, was not statistically significant [24]. The formula contains 40 mg, a small fraction of those doses.

Worth knowing: Avoid it if you're allergic to ragweed or other daisy-family plants, and check with a pharmacist if you take warfarin.

Rosemary leaf (40 mg)

What research has looked at: The rosemary claim you may have seen online comes from a study in mice, where a rosemary extract changed how the liver processed oestrogen [25]. We found no human trials showing the same thing, so we make no claim about it.

Worth knowing: The formula contains 40 mg of a 10:1 rosemary leaf extract per serving. Avoid it in pregnancy, and speak to a professional if you have a liver or gallbladder condition.

Vitamin B6 as P5P (10 mg)

What research has looked at: Vitamin B6 is the one ingredient with authorised claims. It contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. A systematic review of nine trials in PMS found B6 improved overall symptoms (odds ratio 2.32), but the doses were 50 to 600 mg a day and most trials were low quality; the authors judged up to 100 mg a day likely to be beneficial [26]. That review can't tell us anything about a 10 mg dose. Reviews also report that oral contraceptive use may negatively affect B6 status, though the evidence is limited [27].

Worth knowing: The NHS advises not taking more than 10 mg of vitamin B6 a day in supplements unless a doctor says so [28], and the European Food Safety Authority's upper limit is 12 mg a day [29]. Ten milligrams sits right at that ceiling. Don't combine this with another B6 supplement or a multivitamin that contains B6 without checking the total.

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Can a Supplement Replace HRT or Treat a Condition?

Your diagnosis is a starting point, not a verdict, and it deserves proper medical follow-up. If you have PMOS, endometriosis, PMDD or perimenopause symptoms, there are no trials of this formula in any of those groups, and a food supplement isn't a treatment for any of them. It also won't make a prescribed treatment unnecessary.

If you're on HRT, we can't tell you this combination is free of interactions, because it hasn't been tested. Several ingredients, red clover and sage in particular, are plant compounds that researchers have studied for effects on oestrogen-related pathways. So speak to your GP or pharmacist before combining them, and don't stop or change prescribed treatment on the strength of a supplement.

Weighing up what works for your body is exactly where good information helps. Our guide to perimenopause covers what's going on and what to ask your doctor.

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Who Should Speak to a GP or Pharmacist First?

Plant extracts are active ingredients, and "natural" isn't a safety guarantee. NICE itself notes that the safety, quality and purity of unregulated herbal preparations are uncertain [15]. So here are the plain safety points.

• Not suitable if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
• Do not use it if you have, or have had, a hormone-sensitive condition (including breast cancer) or epilepsy.
• Speak to your GP or pharmacist before use if you take HRT, the contraceptive pill, thyroid medication, anticoagulants such as warfarin, or other prescribed medicines, or if you have a liver or gallbladder condition.
• Stop at least two weeks before planned surgery.
• Do not exceed the stated dose, and don't combine it with other vitamin B6 supplements.
• Food supplements should not replace a varied diet.

If you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe tiredness or abdominal pain, stop taking it and contact a doctor straight away.

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How Do You Take It?

The serving is two capsules a day, and the amounts in the table above are for those two capsules. Follow the directions on the label and don't take more.

You may see supplements promising results in "four to six weeks". We don't make that promise. The trials above ran for different lengths, used different extracts and measured different things, and none of them tested this formula. If you start a supplement and notice something you don't like, stop and speak to a professional. Keeping a simple symptom diary, alongside your GP, tells you far more than any timeline on a label.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is MyOva Hormone Balance vegan?

Yes. The capsule shell is HPMC, a plant-based material, and the product is listed as vegan.

Can I take it with HRT?

We can't say it is free of interactions, because the formula hasn't been tested alongside HRT. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before combining them, and don't change prescribed treatment because of a supplement.

Is it suitable if I have PMOS (PCOS)?

It isn't a treatment for PMOS and there are no trials of this formula in PMOS. If you have PMOS, or any hormone-related condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting it, particularly if you take medicine such as metformin.

Can I take it while trying to conceive?

No. It isn't suitable if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive.

How long does it take to work?

We can't give a timeline. No trial has tested this formula, and the research on individual ingredients ran for different lengths with different extracts. Speak to your GP if you have symptoms that concern you.

Can I take it with another vitamin B6 supplement?

Check first. Two capsules provide 10 mg of vitamin B6, which is already at the 10 mg a day ceiling in NHS advice, so don't add other B6 supplements or multivitamins containing B6 without checking the total with a pharmacist.

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The Bottom Line

The research on these ingredients is real but modest: small trials, different extracts, mixed results, and nothing on this exact formula. Hormonal literacy isn't complicated, it's just rarely taught, and reading a label critically is part of it. Here is the daily serving at a glance.

If a supplement is right for you, it should fit alongside your diagnosis, your medicines and your GP's advice, not replace them. Your body is trying to tell you something when symptoms keep turning up, so get them looked at properly.

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Related Reading

• Holy Basil for Hormones: What the Research Actually Shows
• Does Sage Actually Help With Hot Flushes? Here’s What the Research Says
• Ashwagandha Benefits for Women: A Comprehensive Guide
• Red Clover for Menopause: Plant Oestrogen or Overhyped Herb?
• Why Vitamin B6 Keeps Coming Up in PMS Research (And What Form Actually Works)
• Perimenopause: The Complete Guide

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This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. MyOva products are food supplements, not medicines, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult your GP or pharmacist before starting a new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a diagnosed condition.

References

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2. Saxena RC, Singh R, Kumar P, et al. Efficacy of an extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (OciBest) in the management of general stress: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:894509. doi:10.1155/2012/894509
3. Jamshidi N, Cohen MM. The clinical efficacy and safety of tulsi in humans: a systematic review of the literature. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:9217567. doi:10.1155/2017/9217567
4. Mahajan S, et al. Efficacy and safety of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) root extract for perimenopause: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Int J Womens Health. 2025;17:4057-4073. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S544267
5. Mhatre Y, Jadhav P, Malik A, Srivathsan M, Langade D. Efficacy and safety of Shatavari root extract in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Front Endocrinol. 2026;17:1769773. doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1769773
6. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(3):255-262. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.106022
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8. Shen W, Qu Y, Jiang H, et al. Therapeutic effect and safety of curcumin in women with PCOS: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Endocrinol. 2022;13:1051111. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.1051111
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11. Kuiper GGJM, Lemmen JG, Carlsson B, et al. Interaction of estrogenic chemicals and phytoestrogens with estrogen receptor β. Endocrinology. 1998;139(10):4252-4263. doi:10.1210/endo.139.10.6216
12. Kanadys W, Barańska A, Błaszczuk A, et al. Evaluation of clinical meaningfulness of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) extract to relieve hot flushes and menopausal symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1258. doi:10.3390/nu13041258
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14. Lethaby A, Marjoribanks J, Kronenberg F, Roberts H, Eden J, Brown J. Phytoestrogens for menopausal vasomotor symptoms. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(12):CD001395. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001395.pub4
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23. Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, Rockwell K, Mao JJ, Shults J. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009;29(4):378-382. doi:10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181ac935c
24. Mao JJ, Xie SX, Keefe JR, Soeller I, Li QS, Amsterdam JD. Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized clinical trial. Phytomedicine. 2016;23(14):1735-1742. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.10.012
25. Zhu BT, Loder DP, Cai MX, Ho CT, Huang MT, Conney AH. Dietary administration of an extract from rosemary leaves enhances the liver microsomal metabolism of endogenous estrogens and decreases their uterotropic action in CD-1 mice. Carcinogenesis. 1998;19(10):1821-1827. doi:10.1093/carcin/19.10.1821
26. Wyatt KM, Dimmock PW, Jones PW, O'Brien PMS. Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review. BMJ. 1999;318(7195):1375-1381. doi:10.1136/bmj.318.7195.1375
27. Wilson SM, Bivins BN, Russell KA, Bailey LB. Oral contraceptive use: impact on folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 status. Nutr Rev. 2011;69(10):572-583. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00419.x
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29. EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA). Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin B6. EFSA J. 2023;21(5):e08006. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8006

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References