Vitex Agnus-Castus
(Chaste tree, Monk's pepper)
GNLD's Herbs For Wellness !!!
Vitex has been used in connection with
the following conditions:
- Menopausal disorders
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Also known as Chaste Tree or Chaste Berry, Vitex is also used as a remedy for a variety of other ailments, although its effectiveness for these problems remains unconfirmed. Men take Vitex for impotence, enlarged prostate, and swollen testicles. Women take Vitex to induce menstruation, remedy menstrual irregularities, ease uterine pain, and relieve swollen ovaries. Vitex grows in Mediterranean countries and central Asia. The dried fruit has a pepper-like aroma and flavor. It is also used as a sleep aid, appetite suppressant, and remedy for gas. Vitex also promots higher levels of the chemical messenger, dopamine.
What It Is - Why It Works
The ancient Greeks thought that Vitex encouraged chastity; leaves of the plant were strewn on couches during rituals associated with Demeter, the goddess of agriculture.
The Vitex plant is found throughout the entire Mediterranean region as far as western Asia, but is usually collected in Morocco and Albania. The vitex plant grows 3 to 18 feet high in bush or tree form, with blue or pink flowers about 4 inches in diameter.
The medicinal parts of the Vitex plant are the ripe, dried fruit and the dried leaves.
The extract of all the Vitex fruit constituents affects the activity of the pituitary gland. It helps increase progesterone production, which gives the opportunity to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce the symptoms of menopause and PMS (irritability, breast tenderness, mood switches, menstrual cramps), and even fight women infertility, caused by hormone imbalance. (Vitex has acquired the name "women's herb" not in vain!) Furthermore, such problem as acne, both in men and women, can be helped with Vitex.
Besides medical use, the Vitex fruit can also serve as pepper substitute, and leaves are used as a spice. Since the whole plant is very aromatic, especially flowers, the latter stand high esteem of perfumery. Young stems are used in basket making. At last, this universal plant is a source of yellow dye, which is obtained from the leaves, seeds, and roots.
In the estimated 50% of cases couples cannot have children because of the female infertility, ovulatory disorders lead to the impossibility to get pregnant. Most often they are caused by hormonal imbalances in women.
Nature is wise – it has remedies against the majority of human diseases, but we are sometimes not smart enough to notice them and use properly. One of the nature's creations, which help overcome female infertility, is Vitex.
Vitex has the ability to regulate human hormonal levels. The extract from the fruit, containing flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, and terpenoids, affects the activity of the pituitary gland, forcing it to produce more luteinizing hormone, which results in the increased production of progesterone. Larger doses of it are necessary to achieve normal and regular ovulation, which, as a result, helps women become pregnant. Irregular ovulatory function can be restored by Vitex, since it can prolong the luteal phases.
Vitex also keeps prolactin levels in check, decreasing them if they are mildly elevated. (Prolactin is necessary for milk production during the breastfeeding, but it inhibits ovulation.)
Vitex can also be helpful after discontinuing the use of birth pills to restore normal ovulation.
Avoid if . . .
Do not take Vitex while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Special Cautions . . .
Skin rash is a potential side effect of Vitex.
Possible Drug Interactions . . .
Because of its effect on dopamine levels, Vitex may interfere with drugs that inhibit dopamine's effects.
A controlled clinical trial found that women taking 20 mg per day of a concentrated Vitex extract for three menstrual cycles had a significant reduction in symptoms of PMS, including irritability, mood swings, headache, and breast tenderness. Another double-blind trial found that women taking vitex had slightly greater relief from symptoms of PMS, including breast tenderness, cramping, and headaches, than those taking vitamin B6. These trials support the findings of preliminary vitex trials for women with PMS. Vitex, in combination with some homeopathic remedies, has also been found in a double-blind trial to successfully treat breast tenderness (also called mastalgia).
A review of other trials and case reports suggests there is at least preliminary support that Vitex should be considered for women with irregular periods, infertility, and mildly elevated prolactin levels. Double-blind trials have confirmed the effectiveness of vitex at lowering mildly elevated prolactin levels in women. According to one small trial, acne associated with PMS, may also be reduced using vitex.
Side effects may include minor stomach upset and a mild skin rash with itching. Vitex is not recommended for use during pregnancy and should not be used concurrently with hormone therapy (e.g., estrogen, progesterone).
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with Vitex.
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Also known as Chaste Tree or Chaste Berry, Vitex is used as a remedy for impotence, enlarged prostate, swollen testicles, inducing menstruation, and to remedy menstrual irregularities.
