| Scientific: | Vitex agnus-castus |
|---|---|
| Other: | Chaste Tree |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
Used for a variety of female complaints. Modulates dopamine receptors which in turn affect prolactin levels; elevated dopamine suppresses prolactin, and vice versa. Primarily used for hyperprolactinemia but can also be used for hypoprolactinemia since it balances prolactin release from the pituary.
Reproduction (hyperprolactinemia)
• suppressed progesterone and estrogen levels
• breast tenderness (mastalgia)
• amenorrhea
• oligomenorrhea
• infertility (anovulatory)
• dyspareunia (women)
• suppressed testosterone levels
• erectile dysfunction (ED)
• impotence
• gynecomastia
Reproduction (hypoprolactinemia)
• excess testosterone
• satyriasis
• nymphomania
• hirsutism
• deficient prolactin
• agalactorrhea
• excess estrogen
• dysmenorrhea
• endometriosis
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• menorrhagia
Note: vitex modulates hormones (dopamin/prolactin) which explains why it has conflicting indications (e.g. aphrodisiac & anaphrodisiac )
• Hormone Regulator
• Uterine Tonic
• Phytoprogesterone (Indirect)
• Galactogogue
• Anaphrodisiac
• Iridoid Glycosides (E.g. Aucubin)
• Diterpenes (E.g. Vitexilactone)
• Flavonoids
• Tincture (1:5 in 60% EtOH): 2-3 ml tid
• Infusion (dried berries): 1 tsp tid
Note: requires at least one full menstrual cycle before benefits are seen.
Contraindications: Pregnancy and lactation; safety has not yet been established.
Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.
Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.
Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.
Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.
Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.
Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.
Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002
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