Chaste Tree (Vitex) Berries, Organic, 1oz. bag

$2.00 or $1.70 / month

Chaste Tree (Vitex) Berries, Organic, 1oz. bag
Vitex agnus-castus

Materia Medica – Vitex
Vitex angus-castus
Verbenaceae family

Monk’s pepper
Native to Mediterranean temperate to tropical, US zone 6
Deciduous shrub
Leaves opposite, 5-7 radiating lanceolate leaflets
Flowers white to purple
Seeds dark purple

Source: Widely available, calyx on outside of berry
Berries are constantly falling from tree, collect with a large tarp, white sheet
Starts from Milk & Honey herbs in Mass
Prune back branches in autumn

Taste: bitter, spicy
Energetics: Warming and drying but also cooling, allows it to be a balancer of the hormones

Warm:
Moves Blood/Stagnation Emmenagogue
Moves Qi Vulnerary
Phlegm/Damp stagnation

Cool:
Bitterness increase secretion Galactogogue
Liver Qi stagnation

Indications-
Reproductive:
Cramping
Hormonal imbalances
Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Leukorrhea
Fibroids, Cysts
PCOS
Endometriosis
Can use with heavy or light cycles (balancing)
During perimenopause
Client who is stressed, poor diet

Mary Bove – many problems result from Luteal phase deficiency
Most valuable during latter part of cycle
Great herb to use if client is going off the pill – use all the way through the cycle
Cycle related acne
Menopausal related – vaginal dryness, nervous system
For infertility that results from deficiency – need to rebuild before getting pregnant
Dopaminergic can be used for withdrawal symptoms – Paul Bergner
Chemistry:
Key Constituents: Iridoid glycosides (aucubin, agnuside); Diterpenes (otundifuran, vitexilactone); Flavonoids (casticin, vitexin, isovitexin, kaempferol); EO

Casticin acting on the pituitary gland via the dopaminergic pathways, reduces the release of prolactin, this can correct progesterone deficiency
Prolactin plays a role in fertility, inhibits FSH and GnRH (hormones that trigger ovulation), also plays a role in milk production
Prolactin inhibits libido, increases milk production
Increases corpus luteum and corrects progesterone deficiency usually.

Antitumor action (softening) of the iridoid glycosides

Flavonoids are working with pituitary gland.

Withdrawal from the pill: headaches, mood (anger), skin outbreaks, bloating/weight gain, flow, infertility, joint pain

Safety:  Safety Class: 1, Interaction Class: A
No known studies on safety in pregnancy

Dosage:
Tincture: Dried berries (1:5, 45% alcohol) 1-3 ml (0.2 – 0.6 tsp.) 3 times daily
Capsule or powder: 1-2g  TID
Infusion: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1tspn and infuse 10-15 min.  Drink 3X daily

 

Combinations:
Blood stag: Black Cohosh, Cramp Bark, Cinnamon,
Blood deficiency: Dong Quai, (watch for stagnation)
Liver Qi stagnation (outbreaks, angry hormonal): Dandelion root, Burdock, Yellow Dock, Milk Thistle, Bupleurum, Artichoke
Phlegm (Cysts, Fibroids): Cinnamon, Ginger, Poria, White Peony, Dandelion

 


These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your herbalist or healthcare provider before introducing any herbs or supplements into your routine.

7 in stock

Subscribe and save!

SKU: chaste vitex Category: