Agnus Castus

• Botanical Name(s): Agnus Castus

• Popular Name(s): Vitex, Monk's Pepper and Wild Pepper.

• Parts Used: The ripe berries.

• Habitat: Shores of the Mediterranean regions.

Description: Chaste tree is a deciduous shrub with aromatic palmate leaves, divided into 5 or 6 pointed leaflets. Small lilac scented flowers areborne in summer, followed by red-black fruits, which have medicinal and culinary uses.

Uses: Chaste tree is used in a tincture and herbal tea to relieve premenstrual syndrome symptoms, normalize menstrual flow and increase milk production in nursing mothers. The fresh ripe berries are pounded to a pulp and used in the form of a tincture for the relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, weakness etc.Hormone regulator - Chaste tree is one of the most important herbs for regulating female hormones. By increasing progesterogenic activity, chaste tree can help to balance progesterone and estrogen production by the ovaries throughout the menstrual cycle.

Menstrual problems - Chaste tree is prescribed by Western herbalists to treat menstrual problems, ranging from premenstrual syndrome and many of the symptoms that accompany it, to irregular or absent periods. For premenstrual syndrome, the herb should be taken for some months to see the full benefit, which can often be significant with bloating, breast swelling and tenderness, irritability, and depression all reduced.

Irregular periods - The herb helps to regulate irregular periods, tending to shorten a long cycle and lengthen a short one. Other menstrual symptoms - Chaste tree is valuable in treating other problems that can be linked to the menstrual cycle, such as migraine and acne.

Infertility - Chaste tree can help some women trying to conceive if infertility is due to low progesterone levels.

Difficulty in breast-feeding - The berries are taken to increase breast-milk production.

Other medical uses - Homeopathy, Breast Cancer.