Where Can You Buy Vitex Chasteberry

Native to the Mediterranean, Vitex agnus-castus now grows in temperate regions throughout the world. Vitex is often referred to as chaste tree, taking its name from Greek legends associating the tree with chastity and faithfulness. Vitex berry has been used in traditional European herbalism for reproductive support for thousands of years. The dried fruit, also called chasteberry, can be brewed as an herbal tea, tinctured, or cracked and sprinkled over food for a peppery spice.

where can you buy vitex chasteberry

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.

Supplementing vitex appears safe for menopausal women, but there isn't strong evidence suggesting benefits from its use. Discuss with your healthcare provider before supplementing, especially if taking hormone pills.

Research shows that vitex may reduce mood swings, depression, and anxiety in postmenopausal women. While it may be a useful supplement for women in menopause, it is not a replacement for depression medication. If you are experiencing depression, consult with your healthcare provider.

There are no official recommendations for how much vitex you should take or how long you can take it. Consult with your healthcare provider if you are considering using vitex long-term. While vitex is considered safe for most people, there is not enough research to say with certainty that it is safe for long-term use.

Some purported uses of vitex include the prevention of premenstrual syndrome, menopausal symptoms, and infertility. However, there is a lack of large-scale, clinical research to back up its effectiveness.

Molaie M, Darvishi B, Jafari Azar Z, et al. Effects of a combination of Nigella sativa and vitex agnus-castus with citalopram on healthy menopausal women with hot flashes: results from a subpopulation analysis. Gynecological Endocrinology. 2019;35(1):58-61. doi:10.1080/09513590.2018.1499086

Tayebi N, Emamghoreishi M, Akbarzadeh M. Effect of vitex agnus-castus on depression of postmenopausal women: A randomized clinical trial. Shiraz E-Med J. 2021 Jan;22(6):103381. doi:10.5812/semj.103381

Owolabi M, Abass M, Emeka P, Jaja S, Nnoli M, Dosa BenjaminOS. Biochemical and histologic changes in rats after prolonged administration of the crude aqueous extract of the leaves of vitex grandifolia. Phcog Res. 2010;2(5):273. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.72322

There is evidence to suggest that chasteberry helps improve premenstrual symptoms, but more studies are needed.Chasteberry is used widely to treat infertility and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Lab studies show chasteberry contains substances that can prompt hormonal changes in the body. Various studies in humans suggest chasteberry can help reduce breast pain and other PMS symptoms, but not menopause symptoms.

The fruit of chasteberry is widely used to relieve premenstrual symptoms and to treat infertility. It is said to have a normalizing action on the menstrual cycle and contain nonsteroidal progestins that can interact with and activate hormone receptors in the body (1).

In vitro studies have identified several flavonoids in chasteberry, especially casticin, which exerts opioidergic effects through activation of mu- and delta-opioid receptor subtypes (2). Casticin reduced lung inflammation in a murine model by inhibiting numbers of neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes, and by reducing levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (25).

Dopaminergic compounds, particularly clerodadienols, dose-dependently inhibited pituitary prolactin release, which could explain its effect during the premenstrual cycle when serum prolactin levels can be chronically elevated (3). Other diterpenes including rotundifuran also modulate dopamine receptors (14). Linoleic acid from chasteberry binds to estrogen receptors (ER) and can induce certain estrogen genes (12). The flavonoid apigenin was identified as the most active ER isoform-selective phytoestrogen (11), and can also induce progestogenic activity (13).

In human studies, chasteberry restores progesterone concentrations, prolongs the hyperthermic phase in the basal temperature curve, and restores the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone test to normal. It is thought to act on the pituitary-hypothalamic axis rather than directly on ovaries (11).

Antipsychotics (Phenothiazines, Dopamine D2-Antagonists): Preclinical studies suggest chasteberry may interfere with the action of these drugs or enhance their side effects (17) (20). Clinical relevance has yet to be determined.Antiparkinson agents (Dopamine agonists): Preclinical studies suggest chasteberry may interfere with the action of these drugs or enhance their side effects (17) (20). Clinical relevance has yet to be determined.CYP450 substrates: In vitro, chasteberry inhibits CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 and may affect drugs metabolized by these enzymes (21). Clinical relevance has yet to be determined.Hormonal therapies: Preclinical studies suggest chasteberry may decrease the effects of hormone therapies (11) (12) (18). Clinical relevance has yet to be determined.Oral contraceptives: Preclinical studies suggest chasteberry may decrease the effects of contraceptives (18). Clinical relevance has yet to be determined.

Vitex is a dried fruit that's used in herbal medicine, often to treat hormonal conditions. Its botanical name is Vitex agnus castus, and common names include chastetree, chasteberry, and monk's pepper. (Monks reportedly once used it to tamper their sexual urges.)

There are many species of vitex, but agnus castus is the one usually used in herbal medicine. It's available as a tincture, in capsules or tablets, or ground to add to food. The berries can also be soaked in hot water and drunk as a tea.

You don't need a prescription to take vitex, but it's a good idea to work with your healthcare provider. Not all herbal products are the same (in terms of amounts of active ingredients, purity, etc.), and you'll want to make sure you get the proper dosage if you do decide to try it. Vitex may also interact with some other medications (see risks, below).

We don't know for sure, but there's reason to believe taking vitex may help with some fertility issues. It may depend on the reason for the infertility, but abnormal hormone levels (and an irregular menstrual cycle) often play a role, and vitex has shown to help with that in some studies.

A 2019 study of 189 women with menstrual disorders showed that treatment with an herbal supplement containing vitex, maca (Lepidium mayenii), and folate helps regulate the menstrual cycle, stimulates ovulation, and increases the chances of getting pregnant. Ovulation increased from 10 percent to 43 percent in the subjects during the six-month period of the study, with no side effects reported. Seventy of the subjects became pregnant during the study. The study also showed a decrease of PCOS from 38 percent to 14 percent (26 of the patients instead of 71).

The effects of vitex on pregnant and breastfeeding women haven't been studied, but we do know that it affects the hormonal system (and may suppress lactation). To be safe, don't take the herb during pregnancy or while nursing.

Awan SI et al. 2020. Comparison of efficacy of Vitex agnus castus ovitex and bromocriptine in the management of hyperprolactinemia. Journal of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan 10(1). [Accessed December 2021]

For centuries, chasteberry has been used to treat many hormone-related gynecologic conditions. The current literature supports the use of chasteberry for cyclical breast discomfort and premenstrual syndrome; data on its use for menstrual irregularities and fertility disorders are weak. Its traditional use as a galactagogue (i.e., a substance that enhances breast milk production) is not well supported in the literature and should be discouraged. There are no clinical data to support the use of chasteberry for reducing sexual desire, which has been a traditional application. Chasteberry is well tolerated; reported adverse effects are minor and may include gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness, and dry mouth. No herb-drug interactions have been reported, but caution is advised for its concomitant use with dopamine agonists or antagonists. Optimal standardization and dosing recommendations await clarification in clinical studies.

Chasteberry has been used for more than 2,500 years to treat various conditions. In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, it was used for a variety of gynecologic conditions. In medieval Europe, chasteberry was popular among celibate clergymen for its purported ability to reduce unwanted sexual libido.1 Over the past 50 years, chasteberry has been used widely in Europe for gynecologic conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), cyclical breast discomfort, menstrual cycle irregularities, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The German Commission E approves the use of chasteberry for irregularities of the menstrual cycle, cyclical breast discomfort, and PMS,2 and it is widely prescribed by family physicians and gynecologists in Germany.3

Over the past 50 years, 30 European trials of chasteberry (mostly uncontrolled or unblinded) have reported improvement of menstrual and menstruation-related disorders.13 During the past 10 years, a few small, but high quality, double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have examined various effects of chasteberry. 041b061a72