Should I take Vitex (Chaste Tree?)

VITEX AGNUS CASTUS

Common Names: Chaste Tree / Chaste Berry 

I get asked about this herb A LOT! 
Have you ever wondered if it’s the right herb for you? 

Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) is a plant that has historically been used to remedy women’s problems and is also known as chaste tree or chasteberry. Vitex supplements may come in the form of capsule, tincture or tablet and typically contain extracts of the fruit and/or seed of the plant.

Vitex’s entire mechanism of action is unknown, but it may indirectly influence several hormones, such as prolactin, progesterone, and oestrogen. For example, it is thought that vitex reduces the release of prolactin by activating dopamine receptors^. Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that helps promote breast development and milk production.

Vitex is an effective and well tolerated treatment for mild, moderate and severe PMS according to clinical trials. The PMS symptoms that respond best to vitex are breast tenderness, irritability, depressed mood, anger, mood changes, headache and constipation.1,2

Vitex is used to normalise menstruation in women with irregular periods – either shortened, lengthened or infrequent, particularly when low progesterone is suspected (or confirmed with functional testing.) It’s also been used to treat amenorrhoea (absent periods) or menorrhagia (heavy periods.) Further research is still required to help us understand the exact mechanism but it’s ability to reduce prolactin levels in these conditions and modulate oestrogen / progesterone is the suspected reason for its effectiveness.3

It’s shown to be effective in treating perimenopausal symptoms of low mood, hot flushes and irregular periods in combination with black cohosh.4 

Vitex has been used to enhance fertility in women with low progesterone or luteal phase defects (second half of the cycle too long or too short), with some promising results. More research is needed in this area. If you’re trying to conceive, or undergoing fertility treatment please do not take vitex without speaking to your medical practiitoner and naturopath first.

In a study comparing vitex to bromocriptine, vitex was as effective at reducing elevated prolactin levels in women with hyperprolactinaemia as the pharmaceutical equivalent with fewer side effects.5

Still wondering if you need vitex in your life (or something similar – to help you with your hormones? Book an appointment here.) 

If you’re trying to conceive,

REFERENCES

1. Shabani, Z., Mohammadi, A. and Khajehlandi, A., 2020. The Effect of Vitex Castus Extract and Exercise Training on Psychological and Physical Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome in Young Girls. Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health, 8(3), pp.213-219.
2. Braun, L. and Cohen, M., 2015. Herbs and natural supplements, volume 2: An evidence-based guide (Vol. 2). Elsevier Health Sciences.
3. Blumenthal, M., Goldberg, A. and Brinckmann, J., 2000. Herbal medicine. Expanded commission E monographs. Integrative Medicine Communications.
4. Rotem, C. and Kaplan, B., 2007. Phyto-Female Complex for the relief of hot flushes, night sweats and quality of sleep: randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study. Gynecological endocrinology, 23(2), pp.117-122.
5. Awan, S.I., Tasnim, N., Luqman, S. and Irum, S., 2020. Comparison of efficacy of Vitex agnus castus ovitex and bromocriptine in the management of hyperprolactinemia. Journal of The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan, 10(1), pp.03-08