Vitex agnus-castus, also called Vitex, Chaste Tree, Chasteberry, Abraham's Balm or Monk's Pepper, is a small, deciduous, flowering shrub-like tree that grows to a height of 3-16 ft. The plant is native to central Asia and can be found growing on river banks in southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Chasteberry has a peppery, aromatic scent and has sprays of slender, beautiful flowers that range from violet and lilac to blue. These blooms develop into berries the size of a peppercorn which are used medicinally.
History:
Chasteberry was first used by the ancient Greeks and later by the Romans. Theophrastus mentioned chasteberry several times as agnos in Enquiry into Plants. In Pliny the Elder, it was mentioned as Vitex which is derived from the Latin word vieo, meaning to weave or to tie up. Hippocrates and Dioscorides also used chasteberry. In the past, chasteberry was associated with the clergy; its name being thought to be derived from the belief that it can encourage chastity. Chasteberry was used to suppress sexual desire in monasteries during the middle ages, thus the name "monk's pepper". Chasteberry was also used by European nuns to aid in women's hormonal problems.
Chasteberry Benefits
Chasteberry is mostly used by women to help them with menstrual problems and to stimulate milk production. It is a diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, galactogogue, aphrodisiac, anaphrodisiac, sedative and stomachic. The leaves, flowers and berries are flavanoid-rich. Progesterone and testosterone are also present in the flowers and leaves of the plant.
Chasteberry tea has been shown to increase fertility. Based a study published in The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, chasteberry tea coupled with additional green tea and vitamins can increase progesterone. Women who had fertility issues took chasteberry tea and experienced an increase in progesterone and an extension in the number of days that temperature was good for ovulation. After five months, the researchers reported that 33% of the women who were part of the said study became pregnant.
Another study conducted by Swiss researchers found out that chasteberry extract can reduce the physical symptoms and mood swings associated with PMS. The notable symptom that chasteberry was said to alleviate was breast tenderness.
Another study conducted in Switzerland found out that chasteberry has anti-cancer properties. It was said that chasteberry is effective in inhibiting the growth and killing tumor cells of various types of cancer including breast, ovarian and colon cancer.
Cautions:
Chasteberry has few side-effects. It may cause gastrointestinal problems, nausea, headaches, dizziness, increased menstrual flow, diarrhea, acne and skin rashes to some individuals. Chasteberry is also contraindicated in pregnancy because of its hormonal effects. It is also advisable that women with hormone-sensitive condition like breast cancer not to use chasteberry. Chasteberry may also interact with prescription drugs and oral contraceptives.
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