Chaste Tree
Other Names : Vitex agnus-castus, Agneau du Moine, Agneau-chaste, Agni Casti, Agnocasto, Agnolyt, Agnus-Castus, Arbre au Poivre, Chaste Berry, Chaste Tree, Chaste Tree Berry, Chasteberry, Chastetree, Chinese Vitex, Gattilier, Hemp Tree, Herbe au Poivre, Mang Jing Zi, Man Jing Zi, Monk's Pepper, Petit Poivre, Pimiento del Monje, Poivre de Moine, Poivre Sauvage, Vitex, Vitex Agnus Castus, Vitex rotundifolia, Vitex trifolia, Viticis Fructus, Monnikspeper, Mönchspfeffer, kuisheidsboom.
Vitex is a shrub native to central Asia and the region bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The plant's dark brown berries contain the medicinal compounds of vitex.
See also : Agnus Castus (homeopathy)
Special Precautions of Chaste Tree
- Uncommon side effects include upset stomach, nausea, itching, rash, headaches, acne, trouble sleeping, and weight gain. Some women notice a change in menstrual flow when they start taking vitex agnus-castus.
- 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.
- Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with Vitex agnus-castus.
- Estrogens interacts with Vitex agnus-castus.
- Medications for mental conditions (Antipsychotic drugs) interacts with VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS
- Medications used for Parkinson's disease (Dopamine agonists) interacts with Vitex agnus-castus.
- Metoclopramide (Reglan) interacts with Vitex agnus-castus.
The benefits of Chaste Tree are
The plant's dark brown berries contain the medicinal compounds of vitex. The herb is primarily used to regulate hormones. In fact, monks, nuns, and ancient Greeks and Romans used vitex to decrease libido. Vitex is safe for most people, however, some individuals experience digestive problems, skin rashes and disorientation when they take this herb.
- Regulates Menstrual Cycles : Elevated prolactin levels can also cause a woman's period to become irregular and even stop. For this reason, chasteberry is sometimes tried when menstruation is irregular, or stops altogether, which is called amenorrhea. Do not attempt to self-treat significant menstrual irregularities without a full medical evaluation, as a serious medical condition could be causing the problem.
- treats fibrocystic breast disease : Fibrocystic breast disease is a disorder related to premenstrual syndrome that vitex treats effectively, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The mechanism of action involved in this disorder's treatment is vitex's suppression of prolactin's release from the pituitary gland. Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates milk production during and after pregnancy. When the hormone is released when lactation is not required, it can cause fibrocystic breast disease.
- Reduces Symptoms of PMS : According to the Mayo Clinic website, 75 percent of menstruating women experience some form of PMS, which is often caused by high blood prolactin levels. Vitex can reduce prolactin levels and reduce symptoms of PMS successfully. Vitex has a long history of treating PMS symptoms, including irritability, headache, depression and breast tenderness.
- Increases Lactation : Breast milk production is typically stimulated in women during the end of pregnancy and after childbirth. Some women do not produce adequate levels of breast milk to feed their infant. Often the cause is low prolactin levels. Vitex regulates prolactin. Taking the herb can improve breast milk production. Consult your obstetrician/gynecologist prior to using vitex to as a galactagogue, or breast milk production stimulator.
