Common Names
Chaste Tree, Vitex, Chasteberry, Monk's Pepper
Botanical Name
Vitex agnus-castus
Family
Verbenaceae
Medicinal Uses
Dysmenorrhea, Female Hormones, Menopause, PMS
Properties
Anodyne, Emmenagogue, Galactagogue
Parts Used
Berries
Constituents
aucubin, agnuside, casticin, chrysophanol d, alpha- and beta-pinene, isovitexin and vitexin.
Habitat
Chaste tree grows on the well-drained soil in areas that provide plenty of sun. The chaste tree is native to Southern Europe and Western Asia, but it can be found in areas with temperate and subtropical climate around the world.
Side Effects
None for most people. If you are using sex-related medications, taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy talk to your doctor as chaste tree influences the body's hormonal balance. Never take chaste tree if you are pregnant.
How to Prepare
Usually used as a tincture or as a tea infusion.
