Other Common Names: Chaste Tree, Abraham’s balm, monk’s pepper, chaste lamb-tree, safe tree, Indian-spice, wild pepper, chasteberry, vitex, agnus-castus.

Habitat: The chaste tree is native to the Mediterranean region but is regularly cultivated in warm, temperate and sub-tropical climates. It prefers full sun to partial shade in well drained soil. The tree may survive in cool coastal climates but may not bear fruit due to the need for summer heat to bring the tree to fruit.

Plant Description: The chaste tree is a flowering shrub that grows to a height of 1 to 5 meters. The tree produces a spray of beautiful flowers ranging from lilac to blue and white. The flowers bloom late summer or early fall. The plant has a pleasing aromatic quality.

Plant Parts Used: The fruit/berries, leaves, tender stem parts, and leaves are all used from this plant.

Chaste Tree Berry Flower
(Vitex agnus-castus)
(Click on image to enlarge)

Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex agnus-castus) Berries, Powder and Capsules

Vitex Agnus-Castus
by Natures Answer

Chaste Tree Berry Capsules
by Starwest Botanicals

Therapeutic Uses and Benefits of Chaste Tree Berry
(Vitex agnus-castus) and Claims

Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) got its name from the anaphrodisiac quality purported since its early use. Monks used to chew the berries and leaves of this tree to reduce the urges of the flesh. This use has not been scientifically proven, but it has deep roots traditionally. Syrup of the berries was even given at convents, to nuns, to reduce the chances of succumbing to sexual desires.

Chaste Tree Berry
(Vitex agnus-castus)

The berries may also be dried and used as a spice, similar to black pepper.
Modern uses of chaste tree berry include reduction of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual cramps and pre-menopausal symptoms. Studies have shown a reduction in breast tenderness and pressure, headaches, bloating and fatigue in women who took the herb regularly.
This plant has been used for menstrual difficulties for over 2500 years, with its earliest uses documented during early Roman and Greek history.
This herb has also been used to increase stimulation of breast milk production.
Chaste tree berries are used as an herbal treatment for infertility associated with mild corpus luteum insufficiency.
This plant may also be beneficial in combating breast cancer.
Chaste tree berry has been shown to help balance the progesterone-estrogen balance. This is why it has been referred to as a “female” herb. It also has a negative effect (antiandrogenic) on male hormones. In males it reduces the sex drive and therefore is seldom used by males.

Dosage and Administration

The leaves, flowers and berries can be used in a decoction, traditional tincture, cider vinegar tincture, syrup, elixir, or just eaten right off the tree. It is also available in capsule and tablet form as well. The common dose of this supplement is 40 drops of the liquid extract daily, usually in a single dose. Whenever taking an herbal supplement it is important to heed manufacturer dosing advice.

Potential Side Effects of
Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex agnus-castus)

Although deemed safe through numerous studies, chaste tree berry use has shown some mild side effects. These include gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, transitory headaches and mild skin reactions.

This plant has not been shown to interact with other herbs or medication but due to the hormonal influences of this herb it should not be taken in conjunction with other female hormonal medications without consulting a physician or herbal practitioner.

Leave a Comment or Tips on Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex agnus-castus)

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Name: Jill
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 24, 2011 - 05:12 am
Message: I've had serious flooding bleeding to the point of severe anemia over the last 5 years...it might have been because I was approaching menopause but as you will read that may have not been the case. The doctors I went to wanted to give me a chemical hysterectomy which I couldn't deal with psychologically. As a last resort I went to a local herb store where a woman recommended using chaste tree drops. Sure enough within a couple of months, I went to normal. I did actually though realize it was more likely my excessive use of herbes des provence which has lavender in it, was causing or contributing to the problem...I found out lavender stimulates production of estrogen & had started using it every day the way other people use salt in everything I was cooking! I feel lucky someone knew to recommend chaste tree oil and that I didn't end up having a medical procedure I'd have sincerely regretted.

Name: Jennifer
E-mail: Private
Date posted: May 18, 2011 - 08:30 pm
Message: Chaste tree berry WORKS. For the past several years, I've suffered the most horrendous PMS, starting at ovulation and lasting a full two to 2 1/2 weeks before my period. My primary symptom? Extreme breast tenderness. I felt like a cow left unmilked for a week. I tried everything, from Midol to diuretics to enough Advil to kill a small horse, and still, every time I'd go for my morning run, or, heck, even move around the house, I was tempted to perform a self-mastectomy to alleviate the pain.

I read about chaste tree berry, and figured I had nothing to lose by giving it a try. Was I shocked! The first time I used it when I already had symptoms. They got a little bit better (alleviated the soreness better than Advil), enough to make me try again. My next month, I stayed on a low dose of one drop until ovulation, and then started on the dose suggested on the bottle the moment I felt a bit of tenderness. I rode out the two and a half weeks between ovulation and my period (I have a long cycle) without any pain after the day of ovulation.

As a runner and avid exerciser, this was truly a miracle. I had no adverse side effects; my period came and went normally. I'd encourage anyone to give it a try. If you were as desperate as I was, or even if you are just mildly uncomfortable, chaste tree berry can really be a lifesaver. Who wants to spend half their life in pain when nature has provided the remedy?

Name: Miss D
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 16, 2010 - 02:45 pm
Message: I've suffered with breast tenderness to the point that it was so painful to even walk. I started taking this in pill form two a day the week before my cycle, then one a day for the first month after. Breast tenderness is gone now. I now take a one pill a day two weeks before my cyle and it's wonderful. Can't believe this worked and life is good after nothing worked prior.

Name: amerie
E-mail: Private
Date posted: March 19, 2011 - 05:28 am
Message: I was on the pill for 1yr + on and off I came of the pill and waited three months for my period to come and it didnt so I took agnus castus and my period came back after a week of use and I got pregnant the following period. It works very fast for me. Currently I am taking it for very bad pms and after two days I can feel the change.

Name: C B
E-mail:
Date posted: January 27, 2010 - 01:36 pm
Message: I have used Chaste Tree Berry with very positive results. I took birth control pills for 7 years and when I stopped taking them, so did my monthly cycle. I started taking Chaste Tree Berry extract and within about 3 months my cycle had returned to normal. As always, you should practice caution with any supplement and pay attention to how you body reacts.

Name: Tialisa
E-mail: Private
Date posted: March 19, 2011 - 05:24 am
Message: I have suffered with severe PMS since having a hysterectomy at 30. I was too young to have my ovaries removed so I release an egg every month to just have it reabsorbed into my system. This resulted in 2 to 3 weeks of painful breast and severe mood swings. I tried every expensive treatment I read about and then I found this. It took less than a month and my moods leveled out and my breast are gloriously pain free. I am very pleased with this herb.

Name: saskia
E-mail: Private
Date posted: December 05, 2009 - 02:23 am
Message: Taking Chaste tree made me constantly tired and lethargic.

Name: angela
E-mail: Private
Date posted: January 29, 2012 - 11:12 pm
Message: I have been taking vitex, along with wild yam to help with hot flashes. It really works well.

"The more severe the pain or illness, the more severe will be the necessary changes. These may involve breaking bad habits, or acquiring some new and better ones."
Peter McWilliams