Chaste Tree Purchase & Information

Alternative Names

Agneau du Moine, Agneau-chaste, Agni Casti, Agnocasto, Agnolyt, Agnus-Castus, Arbre au Poivre, Chaste Berry, Chaste Tree, Chaste Tree Berry, Chasteberry, Chastetree, Chinese Vitex, Gattilier, Hemp Tree, Herbe au Poivre, Mang Jing Zi, Monk's Pepper, Petit Poivre, Pimiento del Monje, Poivre de Moine, Poivre Sauvage, Vitex, Vitex Agnus Castus, Viticis Fructus

Scientific Name

Vites Agnus Catus

Why Do People Use Chaste Tree?

Oral preparations of vitex agnus (Chaste tree), like chaste tree powder, are used for menstrual irregularities including secondary amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, metrorrhagia and polymenorrhea. Vitex agnus is also used orally for menopause symptoms, for symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) including luteal-phase dysfunction (corpus luteum insufficiency), cyclical mastalgia and other symptoms as well. It is also used for preventing miscarriage in patients with progesterone insufficiency, aiding in expulsion of the placenta, controlling postpartum bleeding, treating fibrocystic breasts and increasing lactation. This fruit is also consumed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), promote urination and lessen the sexual desire. Chaste tree powder is also used for dementia, nervousness, for colds, rheumatic conditions, spleen disorders, dyspepsia, migraine, headaches, insomnia, eye pain, to get relief from swelling and for body inflammation. Topically - Chaste tree is applied to the skin for insect stings and bites and as an anthelmintic.

Is It Safe To Use?

Likely Safe - Chaste tree powder is thought to be safe when consumed appropriately and orally. Vitex agnus has been safely used in studies lasting for up to 1.5 years. Extract of vitex agnus-castus seed also seems to be safe when use topically and appropriately. Initial experiments suggest that seeds extract of vitex agnus is safe when applied to the skin as insect repellent. Likely Unsafe during Pregnancy & Lactation - Oral consumption of chaste tree powder has adverse effects on pregnant and breastfeeding females. Due to hormonal effects, vitex agnus may adversely affect breast feeding and pregnant females.

How Effective Is Chaste Tree?

Vitex agnus may be effective for following conditions: • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Chaste tree powder is likely ineffective for following conditions: • Infertility • Insect repellent • Mastalgia

How Chaste Tree Works?

The most effective part of the vitex agnus are the seeds and the fruit. The effective constituents of vitex agnus berries are the iridoid glycosides, essential oils, diterpenes and flavonoids. Major essential oils comprise of cineol, limonene, sabinene and pinene. The essential flavonoids include kaempferol, casticin, orientin, quercetagetin and isovitexin. The essential diterpenes incorporate 6-beta, 7 beta-diacetoxy-13-hydroxy-labda-8,14-dien, rotundifuran and vitexilactone. The pertinent iridoid glycosides are agnuside, aucubin and eurostide. Numerous extract of vitex agnus are standardized to contain 6% agnuside. The beneficial impacts of chaste tree powder have mainly been attributed to its indirect effect on different hormones and neurotransmitters. Vitex agnus appears to effect dopamine and perhaps opioid receptors and acetylcholine. Extract of vitex agnus contains various dynamic constituents that appear to have agonistic impacts at receptors of pituitary dopamine (D2) when utilized as a part of higher amount. In females suffering from hyperprolactinemia, chaste tree powder appears to decrease the discharge of prolactin. In healthy male, less dosage of vitex agnus extract appears to enhance prolactin discharge. Higher amounts appear to suppress the discharge of prolactin. Chaste tree powder doesn't seem to influence testosterone.

What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Chaste Tree?

Generally there is no severe side effects reported by oral consumption of chaste tree powder. However, some of minor side effects reported include headache, gastrointestinal upset, nausea, diarrhea, urticaria, itching, acne, rash, weight gain, insomnia and irregular menstrual bleeding.

How Chaste Tree Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?

Not known.

How Chaste Tree Interacts With Drugs?

Antipsychotic Drugs - Interaction rating between vitex agnus and drugs containing antipsychotic effects is moderate, so be careful about this mixture. Vitex agnus may affect with the action of dopamine antagonists such as antipsychotic drugs due to its dopaminergic effects. Few of these antipsychotic drugs are clozapine (Clozaril), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), risperidone (Risperdal) and thiothixene (Navane). Contraceptive Drugs - Interaction rating between chaste tree powder and contraceptive drugs is moderate, so be careful about this mixture. Vitex agnus can effects the effectiveness of oral contraceptives because of its hormone modulating effects. Estrogens - Interaction rating between chaste tree powder and estrogen containing drugs is moderate, so be cautious while taking this mixture. Vitex agnus can interact with the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy. The reason is that vitex agnus appears to have hormone modulating activity. Metoclopramide (Reglan) - Interaction rating between vitex agnus-castus and metoclopramide (reglan) is moderate, so be careful while taking this mixture. Vitex agnus may interact with the activity of dopamine antagonists such as metoclopramide.

How Chaste Tree Interacts With Foods?

Not known.

How Chaste Tree Interacts With Lab Tests?

Not known.

How Chaste Tree Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?

Hormone Sensitive Cancers or Conditions - Chaste tree powder appears to have hormonal effects and may influence estrogen levels. Therefore, females suffering from hormone sensitive conditions should avoid vitex agnus. Some of these conditions include breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, and endometriosis and uterine fibroids. In Vitro Fertilization - Clinical experiments suggest that oral consumption of vitex agnus during the procedures of vitro fertilization may lead to the failure of the procedure.

What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Chaste Tree?

ORAL For premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as well as other conditions doses change case to case. The dosing depends on the formulation of vitex agnus utilized. In one study, 4 mg of specific extract of chaste tree (Agnolyt) was consumed every day. There is another study where participants used particular extract of chaste tree- Ze 440 (Prefemin, Zeller AG) - in a dose of20 mg on daily basis. There is also another studies which demonstrates that particular extract BNO 1095 (Agnucaston/Cyclodynon, Bionorica AG) should be consumed in a dose of 20 mg every day. Clinical studies also recommends that using one capsule (Femicur), which includes 1.6-3.0 mg of dried fruit extract (6.7-12.5:1), can been consumed two times every day. In order to cure premenstrual dysphoric disorder, vitex agnus should be consumed in a range of 20 to 40 mg on daily basis.

Comments

According to historian’s monk’s chewed chaste tree parts to make it easier to keep their celibacy.

General Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.