Chasteberry and its terrific properties

Overview:

Chasteberry also known as “Vitex agnus Castus”‘is the fruit of chaste tree. The fruit and seeds of the tree are employed to make medicines. Chasteberry is also termed as women’s herb” as it is likely to treat most of the women’s problems. Chasteberry is also known by the names of Abraham’s Balm or Monk’s Pepper. It is a native plant found in Mediterranean region. This plant is a shrub that is grown in temperate regions.

 The significance of the name (Chasteberry): It is believed that the fruit of this plant is effective enough to promote chastity, and hence is named so.

Latin name: Nitex agnus- Castus

Other names of Chasteberry:

Agneau du Moine, Agni Casti, Agneau Chaste, Agnocasto, Agnolyt, Agnus- Castus, Arbre au Poivre, Chaste Berry, Chaste Tree, Chaste Tree Berry, Chasteberry, Chastetree, Chinese Vitex, Gattilier, Hemp Tree, Herne au Poivre, Mang Jing Zi, Monks Pepper, Petit Poivre, Pimiento del Monje, Poivre de Moine, Poivre Sauvage, Vitex, Vitex Agnus Castus, Vitex Rotundifolia, Vitex Trifolia, Viticis.

Supplement forms of Chasteberry: Its fruit when eaten for a period of few months can ease in relieving the symptoms. The dried ripe fruit of chaste berry is used for the preparation of liquid extracts, capsules and tablets.

Cultivation of Chasteberry:

This plant is grown in hot temperate and subtropical regions for its aromatic flora. Butterflies have a strong liking for the spikes of lavender flowers during late summers and during cooler weather conditions. The height of this shrub varies in the range of 1-5 metres. It can grow in either sunny climate or partial shades with well drained soil conditions.

Chemical Components of Chasteberry: It is rich in-

o    Flavanoids (Vitexin, Casticin)

o    Agnuside

o    P-hydroxybenzoic acid

o    Alkaloids

o    diterpenoids

o    Steroidal hormones

Herbal Usage of Chasteberry:

This African plant is used as a traditional medicine and is equipped with the following properties such as-

1.       Improves nutrition

2.       Supports land care

3.       Fosters rural development

4.       Its leaves and stems are harvested for medicinal purposes.

5.       Leaves and berries of the plant are employed for decoration, traditional tincture, syrup, cider vinegar tincture, elixir and as medicinal food.

6.       Its fruits are more effective than its leaves in curing male as well as female reproductive systems.

7.       In olden times it was used as anaphrodisiac to pacify the lust at the time of Thesmophoria.

8.       It was also termed as Monks pepper as it acted as a man’s libido medicine to stay pure.

Chasteberry and Treatment of dieseases:

 Chasteberry has been associated with the treatment of following diseases-

o    Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphonic disorder (PMDD) are complications arising in premenstrual cycle where irregularity takes severe form.

o    It also safeguards the individuals against mild Hyperprolactinemia.

o    Cures Luteal phase defect

o    Treats lumpy breasts or Fibrocystic

o    Female Infertility

o    Cyclic breast pain or Mastalgia

o    Prevents miscarriages in women due to low level of progesterone hormone.

o    It controls the bleeding and thereby assists our body to force the placenta after child birth.

o    It increases breast milk after childbirth. 

o    Men make use of chasteberry for making their urine flow increased.

o    It also treats a condition called BPH (Beningn Prostatic Hyperplasia).

o    It also assists in maintaining the celibacy. Monks chewed its fruit to maintain their celibacy in olden times.

o    It treats acne.

o    Nervousness

o    Dementia

o    Joint conditions

o    Colds

o    Upset stomach

o    Spleen disorders

o    Headaches

o    Migraine

o    Eye Pain

o    Body Inflammation and swelling.

o    It flushes out parasites from our skin and prevents insect bites and the poisons of stings.

o    It regulates most of the hormones affecting reproductive cycle in women.

What is the mechanism of action of Chasteberry?

·         A few compounds of Chasteberry work on the pituitary glands of humans and affect their hormonal levels by binding with opiate receptors and thereby relieving PMS discomforts.

·         It changes prolactin secretion and has dopaminergic effects on the body.

·         Its low dosages are used as sexual desire suppressants. It prevents dopamine 2 receptor to get activated by slight release of prolactin.

·         The decreased level of prolactin influences Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Estrogen level in women and testosterone in cases of men.

·         Dopaminergic compounds are clinical compounds that improve premenstrual Mastodynia (abnormal uterine bleeding disorder) and psycho-somatic symptoms of PMS.

It should be completely avoided at the time of pregnancy as it may raise complications.

Other uses:

o    It is used as insect repellent

o    Used as a body supplement by body builders to induce testosterone levels.

Treatments via Chaste berry:

Though there is no scientific evidence that supports this study but traditional theories have offered their base for the treatment of following -

o    Amenorrhea: No menstruation

o    Anti-fungal properties

o    Anti-inflammatory

o    Anxiety

o    Constipation

o    Cystic endometrial Hyperplasia(abnormality in thickened uterus lining)

o    Libido

o    Dementia

o    Depression in menopause

o    Diarrhoea

o    Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation)

o    Dyspepsia (upset stomach)

o    Endometriosis(Endometrial tissue lining growth outside the uterus)

o    Epilepsy

o    Expulsion of placenta

o    Female infertility

o    Fevers

o    Flatulence (Gas)

o    Fluid Retention

o    Follicular Ovarian cysts

o    Hangovers

o    Hot flashes

o    Hypogonadism (under activity of sex organs)

o    Impotency

o    Inflammation

o    Lactation

o    Menopause

o    Menorrhagia (heavy menstruation)

o    Menstural dermatoses

o    Menstural Neurosis

o    Metrorrhagia ( functional causes, non-stop, non cyclical uterine bleeding

o    Mouth ulcers

o    Nervousness

o    Oligomenorrhea (stretched cycle)

o    Orofacial herpes simplex

o    Overactive libido

o    Polymenorrhea (shortened cycle)

o    Postpartum bleeding

o    Premenstural aphthous

o    Ulcerative stomatitis  (mouth sores)

o    Miscarriage prevention from progesterone insufficiency

o    Reduces desire for sexual activity or develops chastity

o    Rheumatic conditions

o    Secondary Amenorrhea

o    Snake bite

o    Upper respiratory tract inflammations

o    Vaginal dryness

Side Effects and cautions related to Chasteberry:

o    No serious side effects of chasteberry have been noticed. However research has revealed some gastrointestinal issues, acne problems, rashes and dizziness as some of its side effects.

o    It can affect some of the hormonal levels. Pregnant women or women taking birth control pills or ladies undergoing sensitive conditions like breast cancer should avoid its intake.

o    It affects dopamine system of our brain and hence patients undergoing dopamine related medications should avoid it. They can be drugs that have antipsychotic effects.

o    Parkinson medications also cannot go hand in hand with chasteberry.

It is highly advisable that you inform your practitioner about the medications you are already taking to stay on safer side.

Chasteberry usage takes a few months time to endow people with beautiful results. It takes 6 months to cure acne related problems while 7 months time to make the lady pregnant.

Dosage:

Children below 18 years of age:

We have no scientific evidence for it.

Adults 18 years and above: Based on the health conditions -

o    People taking Chasteberry empty stomach early morning are supposed to avail its maximum benefits. Chasteberry can be taken in the amount of 3.5mg/day- 4.5 mg/day to 600 mg three times in a day.