Therapeutic Uses
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) – Chaste tree influences the balance of female sex hormones, reducing levels of estrogen and increasing levels of progesterone. This shift in the estrogen-progesterone balance can help relieve the irritability, breast tenderness, fluid retention, and other symptoms of PMS.
- Menstrual Problems – Chaste tree’s hormonal effects also help regulate the menstrual cycle. Women with erratic cycles, scant or unusually heavy menstrual flow, midcycle spotting, nonovulatory periods, or menstrual cramps might try chaste tree in consultation with a physician.
- Menstrual-Related Breast Pain – Studies show that chaste tree relieves cyclic breast pain, called mastalgia. After three cycles, women using chaste tree reported significant relief.
- Lactation Problems – Chaste tree fruits help increase milk production in nursing women. Chaste tree is also believed to be safe for breastfed infants.
- Libido Reduction – In men, chaste tree reduces levels of androgens, the male sex hormones. In men with low levels of androgens, the herb might reduce libido.
Medicinal Uses: *Anger *Breast Pain or Tenderness *Cramps *Depressed Mood *Headache *Moodiness *Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder *Premenstrual Syndrome *Swelling
Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex) Side Effects: Vitex should be used with caution by those who are weak or anemic. Uncommon side effects include acne, agitation, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headaches, itching, nausea, rash, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, vomiting, and weight gain. Some women notice a change in menstrual flow when they start taking vitex. Vitex can affect hormones and might affect estrogen levels. Don’t use vitex if you have a hormone-sensitive condition. Women with estrogen-sensitive cancers originating in the breast, cervix, or uterus should avoid vitex. Not for use in pregnancy. Men should not take vitex, as studies indicate that the seeds can completely halt sperm production, reduce testosterone production, and cause the testicles to atrophy.
Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex) Drug Interactions: Vitex should not be combined with estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or with birth control pills. Vitex might affect therapy for Parkinson’s disease, Schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders. Medications to regulate dopamine in the brain may be affected in unpredictable ways by this herb. These medications include the psychoactive medication haloperidol (Haldol), prescribed for psychosis, and buproprion (Zyban), prescribed to help smokers who want to quit.
