Vitex (Chaste Tree) Berries

Also Known As - Vitex agnus-castus., chaste tree, gnus-castus, chasteberry, and monk's pepper

Organically Grown USA

Overview - The chaste tree is a small shrub with lance shaped leaves and purple flowers. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean and has since been cultivated in temperate climates around the world. Its peppery fruit has been used for over two thousand years; at least since the time of the Greek physician Dioscorides who recommended it to help the wives of soldiers remain chaste while their husbands were in battle. The vitex berry was used by both men and women in ancient Greece and Rome, and by monks during the Middle Ages in order to suppress sexual desire. Pliny the Elder noted that Athenian maidens would put the leaves under their beds during the festival of Thesmophoria to help preserve their chastity.

Medicinal Uses - Vitex agnus-castus is sometimes called “the women’s herb.” It is used for menstrual cycle irregularities, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a more severe form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and symptoms of menopause. It is also used for treating “lumpy” (fibrocystic) breasts, female infertility, preventing miscarriagein women with low levels of a hormone called progesterone, controlling bleeding and helping the body force out the placenta after childbirth, and increasing breast milk.

Some men use vitex agnus-castus for increasing the flow of urine, for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and for reducing sexual desire. Historians say that monks chewed chaste tree parts to make it easier to maintain their celibacy.

Vitex agnus-castus is also used for acne, nervousness, dementia, joint conditions,colds, upset stomach, spleen disorders, headaches, migraine, eye pain, body inflammation, and swelling.

Some people apply vitex agnus-castus to the skin to flush out parasites and to prevent insect bites and stings.

Parts Used - Dried fruiting berry

Suggested Preparation and Dosages - In tea and tinctures, however may be cracked and sprinkled on food, producing a slight pepper taste.

The German Commission E has approved of vitex berries to support a healthy and regular menstrual cycle. Studies have shown efficacy in reducing the unpleasant symptoms of the menstrual cycle. When combined with other herbal ingredients, vitex has been shown to support menopausal health.

Precautions - Men shouldn't take chaste berry. Testicular atrophy could result after repeated use. Binging on sugar, alcohol, or cannabis will block the herb's action on dopamine receptors in the brain and cancel out its effects. Not recommended while pregnant.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Using vitex agnus-castus during pregnancy or breast-feeding is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. The concern is that vitex agnus-castus can interfere with hormones. Don’t use vitex agnus-castus if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Hormone-sensitive condition such as endometriosis; uterine fibroids; or cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries: Vitex agnus-castus can affect hormones and might affect estrogen levels. Don’t use vitex agnus-castus if you have a hormone-sensitive condition.

In vitro fertilization: Vitex agnus-castus can interfere with the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization. Don’t use vitex agnus-castus if you are undergoing this procedure.

Parkinson’s disease. Vitex agnus-castus contains chemicals that affect the brain. These chemicals affect the brain similarly to some medications used for Parkinson's disease. Therefore, vitex agnus-castus might affect therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. Vitex agnus-castus seems to affect a chemical in the brain called dopamine. Some medications for mental disorders help to decrease dopamine. Therefore, taking vitex agnus-castus might affect therapy for certain mental disorders. 

Some herbalists suggest that a woman taking chasteberry to promote fertility should stop taking the herb during her menstrual period to generate as normal a hormonal pattern as possible. Others contend that there’s no problem in taking chasteberry continuously for infertility or any other condition. 

Because of its effect on hormones and the uterus, never take chasteberry during pregnancy. And if you’re taking chasteberry for infertility, stop immediately after your first missed period. 

Don’t take chasteberry indefinitely (for more than four to six months for PMS or for longer than a year for infertility); you need to give your ovaries a rest and avoid overstimulating them. 

Don’t take chasteberry if you breast-feed. 

Stop taking chasteberry if a rash appears. 

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