VITEX
Vitex has become one of the most widely relied-upon botanicals in American and
European herbalism. Vitex modifies the effect of the hypothalamus and pituitary
glands. Vitex extract helps regulate and balance female hormone production.
Vitex is also called Chaste Tree, Chaste berry or Monk's Pepper an genus of
about 250 species of shrubs and trees from 1-35 m tall, native to tropical and
subtropical regions throughout the world. In the past widely included in the
family Verbenaceae, it has recently been transferred to the family Lamiaceae (Labiatae).
Chaste tree is used as an medicinal plant by many herbalists. The parts used
include the chaste tree's leaves, flowers, and berries. The berries are
considered a tonic herb for both the male and female reproductive systems. The
leaves have the same effect, but to a somewhat lesser degree. The berries are
harvested by gently rubbing the berries loose from the stem. The leaves,
flowers, and/or berries may be consumed as a decoction, traditional tincture,
cider vinegar tincture, syrup, elixir, or simply eaten straight off the plant as
a medicinal food.
Vitex agnus castus consists of dried ripe fruits of a densely branched shrub
that is indigenous to the Mediterranean and Central Asia. The commercial crops
mainly come from Albania and Morocco. The plant blooms in the height of the
summer and after pollination develops dark reddish brown to black fruits about
the size of a pepper corn.
It is this dried fruit that is used in medicine today. Middle Ages medical
writers in Europe simply recopied the ancient Greek and Roman sources, and Vitex
was used to treat female disorders.
Benefits of Vitex
Popular herb among woman
Beneficial for premenstrual stress syndrome
Helps to regulate female hormone production
Full spectrum of vitex compounds
Pre-menstrual syndrome
Abnormal menstrual
Breast feeding
Infertility
Hyperprolactinemia
Menopause