Saw Palmetto has been recommended for excessive hair growth and acne because it counteracts the effects of excess testosterone by slowing down the conversion (and also why it is suggested for men suffering prostate problems). Hope Springs - no, does not make you lose your hair or have more male pattern growth, in fact it does the opposite.

Agnus Castus is useful for acne, PMS symptoms, infertility, hormone imbalances, etc normalises the function of the pituitary gland (it controls and balances hormones by stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone LH to increase progesterone levels in relation to oestrogen). The herb is an "adaptogen" so it will work to achieve normal hormonal levels whether you suffer from high or low levels.

Cinnamon is a digestive and circulatory stimulant and thought to make fat cells more responsive to insulin and therefore help them metabolise glucose and also keep blood-sugar level. Can be useful for insulin resistance and obesity.

Chromium (picolinate is best form) is a mineral which helps lower glucose levels and can aid in reducing acne, diabetes, food cravings, insulin resistance, obesity and mood swings. Studies have shown that supplementing can improve blood-sugar control in those with insulin resistance.

Info courtesy of PCOS Diet Book by Colette Harris

Feel free to add to this with any more info......

Some paragraphs on Agnus Castus (Vitex)

Abnormal menstrual cycle
One of the first major clinical studies on Vitex was by Probst and Roth in 1954.6 Fifty seven women suffering from a variety of menstrual disorders were given Vitex on a daily basis. Fifty patients developed a cycle in Phase with menses, while seven women did not respond. Of these fifty women six with secondary amenorrhoea demonstrated one or more cyclic menstruation. Of the nine patients with scant or infrequent menstrual flow, six found that they had a shortening of the menstrual interval and an increase bleeding. Most significant was the result experienced by 40 patients suffering from cystic hyperplasia of the endometrium who all developed an improvement in menstrual regularity. This disorder is due to relative progesterone deficiency and mainly manifests as dysfunctional menstrual bleeding. No side effects of Vitex were observed.

Vitex and Infertility
Literature produced by Mediherb7 combines the data from two trials on the influence of Vitex on the corpus luteum. Vitex was used by 45 infertile women between the ages of 23 and 39. The women were considered capable of reproduction and had normal prolactinaemia but showed pathologically low serum levels at day 20 of the menstrual cycle. After three months Vitex treatment was considered successful in 39 of the 45 women. Seven women became pregnant, 25 had normal serum progesterone levels at day 20 and another 7 tended toward normal. This generally coincides with a lengthening of the luteal phase and a positive change in the LHRH test dynamic. The findings indicate an enhancement of corpus luteal function.