You might need vitex (chaste tree berry) if . . .

Mood swings, headaches, and insomnia before your period are all signs that your hormones might not be in balance. If you’re feeling fatigued, achy, bloated, and have cramps, you might benefit from chaste tree berry.

Benefits of Vitex Berry

Vitex is one of the many herbs that can help balance women's hormones. It supports the body’s production of progesterone in relation to estrogen.

• Hormonal Balance: Vitex is widely used to help regulate hormonal imbalances in women. It acts on the pituitary gland to increase the production of luteinizing hormone, which promotes progesterone production and helps regulate the menstrual cycle. This makes it beneficial for treating conditions like premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual irregularities, and even symptoms of menopause.

• Fertility Enhancement: Due to its ability to help balance hormone levels and regulate menstrual cycles, vitex is often used to enhance fertility. By promoting a more regular ovulation cycle and supporting a healthy progesterone level, it can be an aid for women trying to conceive.

• Reduction of PMS Symptoms: Vitex has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of PMS such as irritability, depression, breast tenderness, and bloating.

Common Ways to Use Vitex Berry

• Teas: The berries have a peppery, bitter taste and will taste best in a blend with other herbs. You can find many good tea blends with chaste tree berry in them in health stores or online.

• Tinctures: Vitex berry is also consumed in tincture form. You can readily find them at health stores or online.

Growing and Foraging Information

Chaste tree is native to the Mediterranean region, including countries like Greece, Italy, and Turkey. It is also found in parts of western Asia. In addition to its native range, chaste tree has been introduced and cultivated in various regions around the world with suitable climates, including parts of North America, Australia, and southern Africa. It thrives in warm, temperate climates with well-draining soil and full sun exposure.

It is a tree with purple flowers and large dark green leaves. While it has been grown in the US, it is not common, and will be hard to forage for.

Plant chaste tree seeds or seedlings in spring after the last frost date or in fall. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Place the seedling in the hole, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly. Space multiple plants 6-10 feet apart to allow for proper growth.

Safety Concerns

Vitex berry has been used for 2,000 years without any serious side effects and is considered safe, but there should be cautions considered when using it.

Drug Interaction: Vitex berry is known to balance hormones and support fertility, so there is a chance that birth control may not be as effective. As always, if you have questions, continue to learn on your own and consult a medical professional.

Breastfeeding and Pregnancy: Caution when breastfeeding, if using during pregnancy, consult a medical professional.

Other Concerns: Vitex berry helps regulate hormones, and hormones are a very complex web of balance. What works for some might not work for others. It is also worth noting that chaste tree berry is an herb, like a few other herbs, that works better using pulse dosing. This can mean different things for different herbs or people. For chaste tree berry, for some it might work best if only taken for the 2nd half of the menstrual cycle. For others, especially if you are using it for menopause, you might want to try 3 months on 1 month off. Much like plants, humans can be thought of as seasonal, needing something during some times of the year, but not others.

Select Studies About Vitex Berry

Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study - PubMed (nih.gov)

In this randomized, double-blind placebo study, 178 women took vitex for 3 cycles. When they were compared to the control group (that didn’t take vitex), they saw a 50% improvement in their menstrual symptoms.

Comparison of Vitex agnus-castus Extracts with Placebo in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Double-Blind Study - PMC (nih.gov)

This small, double-blind study had 52 women divided into two groups. 26 women took vitex for 8 weeks, and the other 26 a placebo. After 8 weeks, the group of women that took vitex saw a significant decrease in menopausal symptoms including menopausal disorder, anxiety, and vasomotor dysfunction.