Chaste Tree

( Western Herb )

LATIN NAME

Vitex agnus-castus

Chaste tree is also known as Chaste Berry, Monk’s Pepper, Hemp Tree and the Woman’s Herb.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

Chaste tree is a large shrub, or small tree, that can grow up to 22 feet tall. It is a summer flowering, deciduous shrub that grows in tropical and subtropical areas.

The tree has aromatic leaves with tubular, lilac colored flowers, followed by red-black fruits. The dried fruit has a pepper like aroma and taste and is considered one of the major herbs for women. The tree flourishes on riverbanks in the Mediterranean, southern Europe and western Asia.

Chaste berry has been used as a remedy for gynecological problems for about 2500 years. Even today, it remains one of the most important herbs in Western herbal medicine for balancing female hormones.

Numerous clinical studies have been done on women suffering from menstrual disturbances and PMS. Chaste berry preparations help significantly to restore normal menstruation and alleviated many of the symptoms of PMS, including headaches, breast tenderness, anxiety and mood swings.

The best news is that there were few if any side effects, unlike when using steroidal hormones.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* slowing bleeding after childbirth

* stimulate lactation

* hot flashed

* headaches linked to menstrual cycle

* relieving menstrual cramps

* premenstrual syndrome

* prevention of miscarriage

* endometriosis

* acne in both male and female teenagers

PREPARATION AND DOSAGE:

Over the counter:

Chaste tree is available as berries, powder, dried herb, capsules, and tincture in health food stores.

Tincture: Take 1/4 to 3/4 teaspoonfuls one to three times daily, and then reduce the dosage when you notice the effect. (It may take three months to see any improvement.)

At home: Infusion: Pour one cup of boiling water over one teaspoonful of the ripe berries and let infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink this three times a day.

Parts used: Chaste berry

Collection: The chaste berry is picked when ripe, which is between mid-Fall and late-Fall.

Constituents: Alkaloids, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, essential oil

Actions: Emmenagogue, tonic

SIDE EFFECTS:

Not serious: Chaste berry is usually well tolerated, but may be nauseating to some.

SPECIAL INFORMATION: Chaste berry is not recommended for use during pregnancy, because of its complex hormonal actions.