Vitex

Vitex agnus-castus

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Verbenaceae, or the verbena/vervain family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Also called chaste tree, or chasteberry, Vitex is native to European, Mediterranean, and Central Asian countries. It has been naturalized in the southeastern United States. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Fruit (berry) ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Hormone balancing (inhibits prolactin, indirectly progesteronic)
• Uterine tonic
• Dopaminergic agonist
• Galactagogue
• Blood tonifying
• Reduces imbalanced fluids ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Regulates menstrual cycle
• Normalizes pituitary function (FSH and LH levels)
• Menopausal hot flashes
• PMS symptoms
• Gynecologic concerns that worsen pre-menstrually
• Acne
• Estrogen sensitive endometriosis, fibroids, functional ovarian cysts ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, volatile oils, 3-ketosteroids ^[2]
7. Energetics:
• Pungent, spicy, sweet, cool ^{[1, 3]}
8. Safety:
• No contraindications known. May interact with dopamine antagonists and dopamine-receptor-blocking agents. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The dried berries look like small grey peppercorns. They smell like cooking spices – dried tarragon or something similar.
2. Preparation Method:
• Tincture: (1:5 in 60%) 2.5 mL 3x/day
• Infusion: 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp dried berries, infuse for 10 – 15 mins and drink 3x/day ^[2]
3. Usage Notes:
• I made a tea, and it turned out fairly dark in color. Smells very strong, almost like cleaning products. It tastes like lavender but stronger – more bitter. Has a slightly minty aftertaste. Very intense tea! I didn’t notice any effects of this tea… I think I would need to drink it for a longer period of time.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2019). Week 9 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-19_MW5125-A Botanicals 5: Holistic Gynecologic Health
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.