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Chaste tree
Vitex agnus-castus

This page contains information on chaste tree and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems. It is used to regulate hormonal functions, promote lactation and it relieves painful spasms.

On this page

Botanical classification of chaste tree
Description of chaste tree
Parts used
Properties of chaste tree
Internal use
External use
Use of essential oil
Safety precautions and warnings
Used in the following products
Herbal Index

Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.

Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.

Botanical Classification

Family	Verbenaceae
Genus and specie	Vitex agnus-castus

Other names

Vitex, monk's pepper and wild pepper.

Description of the herb chaste tree

Chaste tree is a deciduous shrub with aromatic palmate leaves, divided into 5 or 6 pointed leaflets. Small lilac scented flowers are borne in summer, followed by red-black fruits which have medicinal and culinary uses.

Parts used

The dried ripe fruit are normally used in herbal medicine.

Properties

Chaste tree is a bittersweet, slightly astringent herb that regulates hormonal functions, promotes lactation and relieves pain and spasms.

It contains iridoid glycosides (agnuside and aucubin), flavones and flavonoids (casticin, penduletin and chrysospenol-D), diterpenoids (vitexilactone and rotundifurane) and a low yield of essential oil containing 1,8-cineole, limonene and pinene.

The diterpenes have a dopaminergic action in the pituitary gland, which results in the inhibition of prolactin secretion. Studies support the effectiveness of this herb with gynecological problems, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhoea as well as corpus luteum deficiency.

Therapeutic uses

Internal use
- Chaste tree is used in a tincture and herbal tea to relieve premenstrual syndrome symptoms, normalize menstrual flow, increase milk production in nursing mothers, and reduce levels of androgens (the male sex hormones), therefore supposedly reducing the male libido - therefore the name "Monk's pepper".
- In homeopathy the herb is however used to treat impotence and depression, as well as to increase milk production in nursing mothers.
- It is a slow-acting herb, and usually takes quite a few months to show any reaction, except in the case of lactation, which usually improves within a few weeks.
External use
- None noted.
Aromatherapy and essential oil use
- None noted.

Safety precautions and warnings

Pregnant women should not use chaste tree. Some minor side effects have been reported when using chaste tree, such as itching, rash and stomach upset.

Used in the following of our products

None.

Herbal index

To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.

Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
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You are as young as your faith, as old as your fear and as long as your heart receives messages of beauty, cheer, courage, grandeur, and power - from the earth, from man and from the Infinite - so long will you stay Ageless.

Information contained on this website is for general information purposes only and must not be used to treat or diagnose medical conditions, and all health problems must be referred to a health care professional. Statements made regarding the products, ingredients and general information have not been evaluated by the FDA, or any other health authority, and should not be seen as health claims.
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Our site was last updated on 9 February 2010.

Chaste tree Vitex agnus-castus

Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.

Chaste tree
Vitex agnus-castus