Chaste tree (vitex agnus-castus)
Synopsis of chaste tree
Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), also known as vitex, monk's pepper, or agnus castus, is a small deciduous shrub native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia, long revered in European and traditional herbal medicine for its ability to balance female hormones, particularly progesterone and prolactin. The berries of the plant are the primary medicinal part, known for their hormone-modulating, pituitary-regulating, and mild adaptogenic effects.
Chaste tree contains:
- Flavonoids (casticin, vitexin) – contribute to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity
- Iridoid glycosides (agnuside, aucubin) – support hormonal modulation
- Essential oils and diterpenes – influence the hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Health benefits and uses:
- Regulates the menstrual cycle and supports ovulation
- Reduces symptoms of PMS, including irritability, breast tenderness, bloating, and mood swings
- Helps manage premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- Supports fertility in women with luteal phase defects or progesterone imbalance
- Eases perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms
- Reduces elevated prolactin levels, often linked to irregular periods or infertility
- Sometimes used to support acne reduction when hormonally driven
Chaste tree is typically used as:
- Tincture, capsule, or standardized extract (often dosed early in the morning for best endocrine effect)
- Occasionally as a tea, though this is less common due to the bitterness of the berries
Historical Use:
Chaste tree has been used since ancient Greek and Roman times, particularly in association with chastity and monastic life—hence the name “monk’s pepper.” Monks are said to have used it to diminish libido, as the plant was believed to lower sexual desire.
In medieval European herbalism, it was used for menstrual regulation, breast pain, and uterine health, often recommended by midwives and herbalists. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, related Vitex species are used to dispel wind-heat, particularly in treating headaches and eye conditions.
Today, chaste tree is one of the most researched and widely recommended herbal remedies for women’s reproductive health, especially in cases of PMS, hormonal acne, and fertility concerns. It is a staple herb in natural gynecology and endocrine support protocols, with a reputation for restoring hormonal rhythm and easing transition through hormonal shifts.
Chaste tree is used for these health conditions
Amenorrhea (Traditional)
Breast Milk (dry up) (Traditional)
Breasts (swelling and tenderness) (Scientific)
Dysmenorrhea (Scientific)
Endometriosis (Traditional)
Fibroids (uterine) (Traditional)
Infertility (Scientific)
Menopause (Traditional)
Menorrhagia (Traditional)
Menstrual Irregularity (Scientific)
Menstruation (scant) (Traditional)
Miscarriage (prevention) (Traditional)
Mood Swings (Traditional)
Night Sweating (Traditional)
Ovarian Pain (Traditional)
PMS (general) (Scientific)
PMS Type A (Scientific)
PMS Type C (Scientific)
PMS Type D (Scientific)
PMS Type H (Scientific)
PMS Type P (Scientific)
PMS Type S (Scientific)
Progesterone (low) (Scientific)
Puberty (hormone balancer) (Traditional)
Sex Drive (low) (Traditional)
chaste tree is used to support these body systems
Breasts (Traditional)
Estrogen (Scientific)
Female Reproductive System (Scientific)
Glandular System (Traditional)
Ovaries (Scientific)
Pituitary (Scientific)
Progesterone (Scientific)
Reproductive System (Scientific)
Specific Hormones (Scientific)
Uterus (Scientific)
