Biological Name: Vitex negundo, Vitex agnus castus

Other Names: Nochi, Five Leafed Chaste Tree, cloister pepper, Chasteberry, monk’s pepper, Nirgundi, Indrani, chaste tree, Sambhalu, vitex, Agnus-castus, Nirgandhi

Additional Info: The herb is commonly found in Central Asia and in the Mediterranean area. Burma and India also belong to the range of countries where you can find it. Western herbal medicine utilizes vitex fruit as a potent part of the plant.

Elements Applied: The elements commonly applied in herbal medicine are of a wide range and include flowers, bark, root, and leaves.

Active Components: Vitex has not yet been properly studied with regard to its treating abilities. Still, it is known that the plant is potent of regulating hormone excretion in women and keep it normal due to certain compounds found in its parts. One of them is similar to human progesterone and acts identically. On the chemical level chasteberry is characterized by several core elements, including aucubin, monoterpenes, agnuside, and eurostoside. Among flavonoids vitexin, chryso-splenol, and casticin are listed. Consequently, the plant is potent of affecting hypophisis functionality and regulating the excretion of female hormones. Progesterone levels can be thus enhanced, and regulate the menstrual cycle. Prolactin is among the hormones, decreased by vitex. Due to this reason the plant can be used as part of infecundity treating strategy.

History: Vitex is a remedy known from the times of Romans as a means to control libido. When waiting for their long-wanted spouses Roman women burnt the herb and inhaled its smell to decrease the desire. Later on the plant was called chasteberry.

In the medieval times this herb was used with the same purpose, and gained it popularity across the monasteries, where it was utilised as a food supplement is order to decrease the desire. Thus it received its name “Monk’s pepper”.

The plant has also been popular across Europe for its beneficial effects on the reproductive organs. Applied to cure amenorrhea, it was additionally used as a remedy for menopause disorders and ovary dysfunctions, as well as an aid in labor and post-childbirth condition, including hemorrhage. Bathing in water where the herb was added was a recommendation for treating uterus conditions.

Used for: Different plant elements produce different effects. For instance, leaves are used to improve metabolism, eliminate helminthes, soothe spasms and pains. Root is known to decrease body temperature, produce an expectorative effect and act as a diuretic. Apart from leaves, fruit is also known to eliminate helminthes, and also acts as a soothing remedy for the nervous system.

There are a number of diseases which can be treated using chasteberry. These include digestive system disorders like ulcers, diarrhea, dyspepsia, colics, and liver disease; reproductive system disorders like infertility, amenorrhea and dysamenorrhea, menopause, menopausal symptoms, menstrual symptoms and difficulties. Serves as a pain relief in case of ear disorders, heart diseases, hemicrania, headaches and so on. Used as an anti-inflammatory remedy in case of catarrh, as a febrifuge in case of fevers and malaria. Also applied for eliminating worms.

According to researches held in England, chasteberry was potent of decreasing pre-menstrual syndrome’s effect on the woman’s organism in 60 per cent of cases, ridding the testers of insomnia, anxiety, and mood swings.

The extract taken from the fruit was potent of eliminating water retention occurring in course of premenstrual period. The plant is also known to induce additional milk supply due to its prolactin-regulating activity. Even using the remedy for several months the organism stays safe.

You may also enhance your vision by taking an infusion made of chasteberry leaves. The root is also used to improve your follicles’ activity.

Preparation and intake: The herb is taken in form of powder, aided by water with sugar or honey, poultice, or decoction. The majority of patients commonly take 40 drops of fluid herb decoction diluted by water. Chasteberry is also used in pills. Both fluid remedy and tablets are applied in the morning.

The main herb’s capacity lies in its long-lasting effect in the female reproductive system, which also takes some time to be seen. Vitex is applied for a long period, and has a mild action pattern. To treat infecundity or amenorrhea the plant can be continuously used for a period up to a year and a half. If a woman gets pregnant, its intake should be stopped.

Safety: There are rare cases of vitex negative impact on the organism. Only 2 percent of females who used vitex for a prolonged period had a mild digestive system disorder and skin allergy. The herb should not be taken in course of pregnancy.

Exercise care when applying the remedy. Plants used in Ayurvedic medicine are commonly mixed with other herbs to decrease the toxic effect one of them can produce. If you are decided to take the remedy call your doctor for a consultation.