Chasteberry

Species name: Chaste Tree.

Also known as: Agnus Castus, Cloister Pepper, Monk's Berry, Monk's Pepper, Vitex, Vitex agnus-castus.

What is Chasteberry: What is chasteberry or chaste treeberry?  What are the benefits to this herb and how is it taken?

Chasteberry is used as a natural way to ease your PMS or other menstrual related discomforts.

You should not take chaste tree berry if you are pregnant, nursing or looking to become pregnant. It should also not be taken with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Chasteberry is believed to actually contain female hormones so it can interact with your HRT.

Chasteberries contain several possibly active chemicals - most notably, some that affect dopamine levels in the body. This herb has medicinal uses that have been used for many generations. It is the fruit (dried ripe berries) of the chaste tree that contains a mixture of iridoid glycosides (agnoside and aucubin), fatty oils, and flavonoids which are used in herbal medicines.

Vitex agnus castus is one of the oldest phytomedicines. The ancient Greek physicians Hypocrates, Theophrast, and Dioscorides all made reference to it so it has been used in medicine since the birth of medicine itself.

Home Remedies using Chasteberry:

Benefits of Chasteberry:

The most common benefit to chasteberry is in treatment of female menstrual problems and discomforts. Studies have shown it relieves discomforts of menstruation, sore breasts, irritability, PMS, cramps and more.

Chaste Treeberry is sometimes used after discontinuing use of birth control pills to restore normal ovulation. It is also believed that chasteberry might help with conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease.

The key to getting benefit from the chasteberry herb is to continue taking it. When taking continuously over a course of time, you will start to notice better results with each menstrual cycle. By your fourth cycle, you should see a noticeable improvement. Some women notice their menstrual-related symptoms go away completely after they have been using the chasteberry for some time.

Uses of Chasteberry:

  • Ease menstrual related discomforts
  • Breast pain
  • PMS
  • Liquid extract- Use 6-12 drops in juice, water, under the tongue or as desired. May be taken 3 times daily. Shake well. Store in cool dark place. Keep out of reach of children.
  • Capsule form- I capsule per day

Side Effects of Chasteberry:

Rare side effects (fewer than 2% of those taking it) include itching, rashes, gastrointestinal distress, and early menstruation.