Chaste Tree Berry
Vitex agnus-castus
圣洁莓
Pinyin: Shèng Jié Méi
Plant Family
Verbenaceae
Part Used
Berry (fruit)
Origin
Mediterranean, southern Europe, western Asia
Safety Level
Safe
Overview
Chaste tree is a large shrub with purple flower spikes and small dark berries. It has been used since ancient Greek and Roman times for women's health issues. The name "chaste tree" comes from its historical reputation for reducing sexual desire (used by monks as an anaphrodisiac). Modern herbalism uses it primarily for PMS, menstrual irregularities, and fertility support.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Properties
Nature (四气)
warm
Flavors (五味)
bitter, acrid / pungent
Meridians (归经)
liver, kidney, spleen
Health Benefits
Traditional Uses
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Fertility issues
- Menopausal symptoms
- Breast pain and tenderness (mastalgia)
- Uterine fibroids
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Postpartum hormonal support
Active Constituents
The key compounds responsible for this herb's therapeutic effects:
Usage & Dosage
How to Use
Used as tincture, capsules, and tea. Vitex has a very bitter, peppery taste - capsules or tincture are preferred. Important: Vitex works by regulating the pituitary gland, not by providing hormones. It takes time to work - typically 3-6 months for full effect.
Suggested Dosage
Capsules: 400-1000mg of standardized extract daily, preferably in the morning. Tincture: 2-5ml daily. Dried berry: 1-3g daily as decoction. Best taken in the morning on an empty stomach.
Quality & Storage
Harvest Season
Autumn, when berries are fully ripe and dark purple/black. Harvested by hand and dried.
Quality Indicators
Dark, round berries with strong peppery-aromatic scent. Standardized extracts should list casticin or agnuside content. European (Mediterranean) vitex is generally considered higher quality than Asian varieties.
Storage
Dried berries: airtight container, cool dark place, 2-3 years. Tincture/capsules: follow manufacturer directions, typically 2-3 years.
Safety Information
Contraindications
Pregnancy (may affect hormone levels - discontinue once pregnant)Breastfeeding (may reduce milk supply)Hormone-sensitive cancers (breast, ovarian, uterine)Endometriosis and uterine fibroids (may improve but monitor)Children and adolescentsThose on hormone therapy (estrogen, progesterone, HRT, birth control)Parkinson's disease (dopamine effects)
Possible Side Effects
- Generally well-tolerated
- Mild digestive upset (nausea, diarrhea)
- Headache
- Acne (temporary, during initial adjustment)
- Increased menstrual flow (some women)
- Fatigue or drowsiness (in some)
- Skin rash (rare)
- Dizziness (rare)
Drug Interactions
- Birth control pills / HRT (may interfere)
- Dopamine-related medications (Parkinson's drugs, antipsychotics)
- Antipsychotic medications (may reduce effectiveness)
- Metoclopramide (Reglan)
- Hormone therapies (estrogen, progesterone)
- Fertility treatments
- Moderate to significant interaction potential
Note: Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before starting any herbal supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have medical conditions, or take medications.
References & Research
Information on this page is based on traditional herbal knowledge and modern scientific research. For a comprehensive list of references, please refer to our full citations page.
ℹ️ Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The FDA has not evaluated these statements. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal supplements.
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