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(Vitex agnus-castus) Click on graphic for larger image |
Chaste Tree
Botanical: Agnus castus
Family: N.O. Verbenaceae
---Part Used---The ripe berries.
---Habitat---Shores of the Mediterranean.
---Description---A deciduous shrub of free spreading habit, young shoots covered with a fine grey down; leaves opposite, composed of five to seven radiating leaflets borne on a main stalk 1 to 2 1/2 inches long, leaflets linear, lance-shaped, toothed, dark green above, grey beneath with a very close felt; stalks of leaflets 1/4 inch or less long- flowers fragrant, produced in September or October, in whorls on slender racemes 3 to 6 inches long, sometimes branched; the berries somewhat like peppercorns, dark purple, halfcovered by their sage-green calyces, yellowish within, hard, having an aromatic odour; taste warm, peculiar. The seeds were once held in repute for securing chastity, and the Athenian matrons in the sacred rites of Ceres used to string their couches with the leaves.
---Medicinal Action and Uses---
Chaste Tree has long been the herb of
choice for easing women's monthly discomforts. Chaste Tree contains unique
plant- derived nutrients that have special effects on women's health.
These nutrients are often concentrated to provide a consistent, reliable
product. Chaste Tree is believed to suppress libido and inspire chastity, which
explains one of its common names, Chaste Tree.
One of its suggested properties
was to reduce sexual desire, and it is recorded that Roman wives whose
husbands were abroad with the legions spread the aromatic leaves on their
couches for this purpose.
The name Monk's Pepper is because monks chewed the berries to reduce their
sexual desire. Chaste Tree grows in Mediterranean countries and central
Asia. The dried fruit, which has a pepper-like aroma and flavor, is used
in herbal medicine preparations. Chaste Tree contains several different
constituents, including flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, and terpenoids.
The whole fruit extract, rather than one of its individual constituents,
appears to be necessary for the medicinal activity of Chaste Tree. However,
Chaste Tree does not contain hormones. The benefits of Chaste Tree stem from its
actions upon the pituitary gland - specifically on the production of a
hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). Chaste Tree also keeps prolactin
secretions in check. The ability to decrease mildly elevated prolactin
levels may benefit some infertile women as well as some women with breast
tenderness associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Chaste Tree
may also help reduce some of the undesirable symptoms of menopause such as
hot flashes associated with the reduction in the production of
progesterone. Chaste Tree can stabilize the cycle after withdrawal from
progesterone birth control pills. Several studies
indicate that Chaste Tree can help control acne in teenagers, young women and
men. For women who are trying to get pregnant, Chaste Tree
may be helpful to help regulate the ovulatory
cycle.
Take one (1)
capsule, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes, for up
to eight weeks. Thereafter, reduce dosage to one (1) capsule each
day.
In order to improve hormonal
problems with Chaste Tree, the herb should be taken for at least six months.
Side effects may include minor stomach upset and a mild skin rash with
itching. Chaste Tree is not recommended for use during pregnancy, and should not
be used concurrently with hormone therapy (e.g., estrogen,
progesterone).
The fresh ripe berries are also pounded to a pulp and used in the form of a tincture for the relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, weakness, etc.
---Other Species---Chaste Tree is also known by the names Vitex, Chasteberry, Monk's Pepper, Hemp Tree, Indian Spice, Sage Tree, and Agnus-castus. In the Illiad by Homer, Vitex was depicted as a symbol of chastity. Both words, "agnus" and "castus" translate to "chaste".
Chaste Tree Purchase this Herb from viablehealth.com
Vitex Berry Purchase this Herb from viablehealth.com
