Condition
Treatment Support
hormonal balancer
Application
tincture, tablet
Vitex
(Vitex agnus-castus)
Also know as Chaste Tree
Botanical Information
A deciduous shrub or small tree from the Vervain family with abundant purple or lavender flowers on spikes and small brown fruit. Vitex has distinctive, aromatic leaves that are divided into lance-shaped leaflets.
Working with Vitex
Part(s) Used
Fruit
Herb Forms
Tincture, capsule, tablet, bulk herb
Vitex is a classic female herb often recommended by herbalists to relieve unpleasant symptoms of PMS. Clinical studies verify its ability to relieve cramps, breast tenderness, and mood swings associated with the menstrual cycle, even when compared with conventional pharmaceuticals. Vitex is also worth a try as a first treatment before taking one of the SSRIs, (primarily known as antidepressant medications), such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft or other drugs, because the side effects are minimal.
Vitex extracts are known to act through the stimulation of the pituitary gland to regulate a number of sex hormones, including progesterone, which it increases. Imbalances of these hormones have been clinically associated with symptoms of PMS, such as breast tenderness. Other symptoms for which vitex is recommended include irregular or excessive menstruation, late periods, spotting, uterine fibroids, and even hot flashes, although studies are inconclusive on the hot flashes. The tincture is also recommended for relieving acne in teenagers, with variable success.
Vitex has a taste of ACRID, BITTER and a temperature of WARM.
Cautions
The side effects of vitex are minimal based on several clinical trials and long traditional use. Both research and clinical experience show that regular use of vitex might interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Do not take it if you are using a progesterone supplement and avoid its use during pregnancy.
Conditions treated with Vitex
Condition
Treatment Support
Application
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tablet, tincture
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone balancer
Application
tincture, tablet
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone balancer
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone balancer
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
galactagogue
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
hormone regulator
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
The information given here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. The information is drawn from numerous sources—both traditional medicine practice, from the clinical experience of many herbalists currently practicing, and supported by decades of scientific research from the author. The research most consulted includes human clinical trials that help to determine the most effective and safe herbs for various needs, the best doses, and types of preparations.
The information offered in this database is not intended as a substitute for any that may have been prescribed by your health practitioner or physician.
