‘The Female Herb’ Chastetree -Vitex Agnus Castus
This herb is commonly known as Vitex Agnus Castus, Chasteberry or Monk’s pepper and the parts mainly used are its berries. Vitex has long been used for gynaecologic conditions, fertility and as an aphrodisiac. It is commonly found in tablets,capsules or tincture form.
This is the ‘go to’ herb for women especially in hormone related conditions. Vitex is to hormones as yoga is to the body; it helps in restoring balance and harmony.Vitex is one of the key ingredients in our best seller HARMONY-Hormone Balance tincture.
It is commonly used for:
- Acne- the use of Vitex along with diet and lifestyle changes has proved to be beneficial for hormonal acne.
- Fertility problems-due to endometriosis, cysts, fibroids etc. Vitex is used to help balance hormones this in turn prevents the advancement of these conditions and may alleviate symptoms.
- In cases of anovulation, Vitex may help stimulate ovulation by the third menstrual cycle
- Habitual miscarriage-due to progesterone insufficiency, this typically happens in the first trimester and women who experience miscarriages in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy may benefit from the use of Vitex in their first trimester.
- Hyperprolactinemia (a possible cause for endometriosis)
- Insufficient lactation
- Luteal phase dysfunction
- Mastodynia/Mastalgia
- Menstrual irregularities(amennorhoea, dysmenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea)
- PMS(premenstrual syndrome)
- Menopausal anxiety and hot flashes
It does not contain hormones itself but Vitex has been shown to increase progesterone in the body, which is beneficial to countering unopposed oestrogen; Oestrogen Dominance.
Use of this herb is not recommended in conjunction with Oral Contraceptives, Hormone Replacement Therapy or progesterone drug as it may interfere with these.
It is recommended that Vitex is taken consistently for a minimum of three months to effect notable change. Herbal Practitioners often recommend that it be taken in one single dose early in the morning.
There are quite a few ladies I know who would be happy to have this! Can’t wait to be able to get them delivered to Malawi.
Hopefully we’ll get these products to them soon!