Chasteberry/Vitex
(Vitex agnus-castus)
Chasteberry is widely used to support hormonal balance in women due to its ability to influence the production and regulation of key hormones like prolactin, progesterone, and estrogen. It has been particularly effective in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS), helping to alleviate symptoms such as mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness, and bloating.
Systematic Review of Premenstrual, Postmenstrual and Infertility Disorders of Vitex:
Vitex is a phytopharmaceutical compound. It has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for PMS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The results from randomised, controlled trials to date suggest benefits for Vitex extracts in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual mastodynia, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and latent hyperprolactinaemia.
A 2017 systematic review concluded Vitex is beneficial in infertility disorder and can contribute to the treatment of infertility in both men and women.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29063202/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23136064/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28243425/
https://www.bmj.com/content/322/7279/134
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12809367/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11159568/
https://www.ephysician.ir/index.php/browse-issues/2017/1/582-3685
Vitex in the Treatment of Luteal Phase Defects:
In a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study, women with luteal phase defects due to hyperprolactinemia (elevated prolactin levels) who were given 20 mg of vitex daily for three months had reductions in serum prolactin, prolonged luteal menstrual phases, and normalized serum luteal phase progesterone levels at the end of the trial.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9973660/
Reducing Menopausal Symptoms:
Clinical research shows that taking vitex for eight weeks improves anxiety and vasomotor dysfunction by 76% and 88%, respectively, in menopausal women.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31067851/
Effect of Vitex on Depression of Postmenopausal Women:
A 2017 systematic review concluded vitex is beneficial in infertility disorder and can contribute to the treatment of infertility in both men and women.
https://brieflands.com/articles/semj-103381.html
“Dry extract of Vitex is an effective and well tolerated treatment for the relief of symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome.”
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE