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Herbs & Supplements
Agnus Castus
Scientific Name: Chaste Tree
Other Names: Chasteberry, Cloister Pepper, Monk's Berry, Monk's Pepper, Vitex, Vitex agnus-castus
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Uses
Chaste tree berries contain several possibly active chemicals--most notably, some that affect dopamine levels in the body. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that carries messages from nerve cells to other cells. Made in several parts of the body, including in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, dopamine affects brain, heart, kidney, and muscle functions. In general, chemicals in chaste tree berries occupy dopamine receptors, preventing dopamine from attaching and causing more dopamine to stay in the blood. A dopamine deficiency is believed to be involved in several conditions, including Parkinson's disease; while excess amounts of dopamine may contribute to conditions such as schizophrenia.
Dopamine levels also affect the natural production of prolactin, a hormone that is involved in several bodily functions. Prolactin is probably most important during pregnancy, when its release is increased--causing the breasts to grow and milk glands to begin producing milk. In low doses, chaste tree berries appear to promote the release of breast milk by women who have recently given birth; but higher amounts can decrease milk flow. For women who are not pregnant, high prolactin levels may be associated with breast pain and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, cramps, irritability, and mood swings.
Although chaste tree berries are not believed to contain female hormones, their effect on dopamine may also affect the balance of female hormones in the body. By acting on the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, chemicals in chaste tree berries may change the amounts of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
Therefore, for some women, chaste tree berry supplementation may help to relieve hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause. They may also help to treat acne for some individuals--especially women whose acne seems to be associated with their menstrual cycles. Chaste tree berries are approved by the German Commission E (the German governmental agency that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal products) for normalizing irregular menstrual periods and relieving PMS symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, and moodiness. The United States does not have a comparable agency to evaluate herbal products. Women who have symptoms of menopause, PMS, or menstrual-related acne should talk to their doctors before beginning to use chaste tree berries.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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