21401

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 07:47
Top Product Attributes

  • Common Name

    Chastetree, Chasteberry, Vitex

  • Botanical Name

    Vitex agnus-castus

  • Part Used

    Fruit

  • Clinical Summary

    Click here

  • Monograph

    Click here

  • Alcohol

    45%

  • Dose

    5 to 20mL weekly

Chastetree is predominantly used as a herbal hormone regulator for a range of female reproductive conditions including menstrual cycle irregularities, premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, mastalgia, as a galactagogue, to support and enhance fertility and menopausal disorders. It is also useful when there is acne associated with hormonal irregularities.

Main Product Attributes
A guide to Chastetree and its properties

  • Traditional Use

    Chastetree has been called the “most archetypal” of all female reproductive herbs.

  • Actions

    Hormone regulator, female tonic, uterine tonic, galactagogue

  • Indications

    •    Menstrual disorders including:
    •    Irregularities of the menstrual cycle
    •    Infertility
    •    Habitual miscarriage
    •    Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and/or menopause
    •    Hormonally induced acne (in both sexes)
    •    Cyclical breast pain and benign breast disorders
    •    Ovarian cysts
    •    Fibroids
    •    Endometriosis
    •    Latent hyperprolactinaemia
    •    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) although this is contentious
    •    To help re-establish the cycle after use of the contraceptive pill
    •    To aid the expulsion of the placenta after birth
    •    Postnatal depression
    •    Fibromyalgia
    •    Hypothyroidism
    •    Restless leg syndrome
    •    Sleep maintenance insomnia
    •    Lactation support (low doses only)

  • Energetics

    Cooling and warming potential, dry, neutral

  • Use in Pregnancy

    Likely to be safe but cannot be confirmed. In practice some herbalists use it during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy in cases of difficult conception. Not traditionally recommended in pregnancy. 

  • Contraindications & Cautions

    People with tumours sensitive to oestrogen or progesterone should avoid using this herb until safety can be established. It has been suggested that the ability of chastetree to reduce prolactin levels may inhibit medical investigations and may mask diagnosis and proper treatment of prolactinoma.
    Use moderately during breastfeeding.

  • Drug Interactions

    People taking medicines with contraceptive, hormonal and/or dopaminergic actions should consult their health professional prior to combined use with chastetree.

  • Dietary Information

    Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free

  • Substitutes

    Black Cohosh, Paeonia