Scientific Name: Chaste Tree
Other Names: Agnus Castus, Chasteberry, Cloister Pepper, Monk's Berry, Monk's Pepper, Vitex, Vitex agnus-castus

Who is this for?

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.

Women with hormone-dependent conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and cancers of the breast, ovaries, or uterus should not take chaste tree berries due to their possible effects on hormone levels. Men with prostate cancer should also avoid taking chaste tree berries.

Precautions

Because chaste tree berries may affect the balance of female hormones in the body, taking them may change the production of breast milk by women who have recently had babies. In small doses (120 mg or less per day), standardized chaste tree berry extract may increase the production of breast milk; but higher doses (480 mg or more per day) may reduce breast milk production. Therefore, chaste tree berries should not be used by new mothers without the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Chaste tree berries are known to increase levels of a body chemical called dopamine. These increases may not be consistent, however. Individuals who have Parkinson's disease generally have a low level of dopamine in their bodies. Taking chaste tree berries could affect dopamine levels unpredictably, possibly interfering with the treatment of Parkinson's symptoms. Individuals with Parkinson's disease should not take chaste tree berries.

Dopamine levels are also believed to be involved in serious mental conditions such as psychoses and schizophrenia. The effects of chaste tree berries on dopamine could possibly worsen schizophrenia or other psychoses, so individuals with mental conditions should not use chaste tree berries unless the use is under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

What side effects should I watch for?

Major Side Effects

Rarely, study participants taking chaste tree berries have reported:

• Fast heartbeats
• Hair loss

Less Severe Side Effects

Other side effects reported occasionally by individuals taking chaste tree include:

• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Itching
• Nausea
• Rash

What interactions should I watch for?

Prescription Drugs

Chemicals in chaste tree berries act like female hormones in the body. When they are taken at the same time as oral contraceptives or female hormone replacement therapy (HRT), chaste tree berries may interfere with the way the body uses the hormones. As a result, HRT or oral contraceptives may not be as effective, some women may experience increased side effects, and the risk of an unintended pregnancy may be slightly higher.

Because chaste tree increases the effects of dopamine in unpredictable amounts, taking it may interfere with the effectiveness of drugs that also increase dopamine. Dopamine-enhancing drugs often are used to treat Parkinson's disease. They include:

• bromocriptine
• cabergoline
• carbidopa-levodopa
• Mirapex
• Requip

Certain drugs reduce the effects of dopamine to relieve nausea or to treat psychoses. Because chaste tree may increase dopamine levels, taking it at the same time as a drug that reduces dopamine may interfere with the drug's effectiveness. Among the drugs that reduce dopamine are:

• chlorpromazine
• clozapine (Clozaril)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• Risperdal
• Seroquel
• thioridazine
• trifluoperazine
• Zyprexa

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how chaste tree berries interact with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Large shrubs rather than true trees, chaste trees were originally found along sunny waterways of southern Europe and western Asia. They were introduced to the southern United States as an ornamental plant by European settlers in the 1800’s. During summer months, chaste trees bear spikes of blue or lavender flowers, which are sometimes used to make perfume with a citrus-like aroma. Long clusters of small berries—each about the size of a black peppercorn—develop after the plants flower. In the past, dried chaste tree berries have been used as a spice to substitute for ground black pepper, because they have a slightly pepper-like taste and smell. After the leaves fall in the autumn, the berries are collected, dried, and ground for use in medicine.

The chemicals in chaste tree berries have long been recognized as useful to treat conditions involving female reproduction. In ancient Greek and Roman medicine, they were used to stop hemorrhaging after childbirth. Later, members of early religious orders believed that taking chaste tree berries could help them keep their vows of chastity. As early as the 16th century, chaste tree was accepted as part of medicine. Beginning in the 1930’s, German researchers have conducted laboratory and human studies that seem to document the potential usefulness of chaste tree berries in relieving menstrual and menopausal complaints.

Dosage and Administration

Chaste tree berries are available in a number of different dosage forms including fresh and dried berries, capsules containing powdered chaste tree berries, and liquid preparations such as extracts and tinctures. Extracts are concentrated preparations usually made by soaking chopped or mashed plant parts in a liquid such as alcohol, and then straining out the solid parts. Tinctures are less concentrated than extracts, but they are prepared in similar ways.

The German Commission E suggests a daily dose of 30 mg to 40 mg of dried chaste tree berries, but recommended doses vary widely according to the condition being treated and the product being used. Individuals who decide to use chaste tree berries should follow the directions on the package that is purchased. Frequently, chaste tree berries are used in combination with other herbals such as black cohosh, dong quai, or wild yam that are also thought to relieve symptoms similar to those treated with chaste tree berries.

In Europe, many chaste tree berry products are standardized to contain 6% of a component called agnoside. Standardization by the manufacturer should assure the same amount of active ingredient in every batch of the commercial preparation. Standardization of herbal products is not required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so not every product sold in the United States will contain the same amounts of active ingredients.

Some manufacturers recommend taking chaste tree berries in the morning before eating, but no study evidence supports any particular schedule. Continual dosing of chaste tree berries may be needed for up to 3 months before an improvement in symptoms of PMS or menopause is experienced. Treatment of acne may require as much as 6 months before results are seen.

Summary

Because they may affect female hormone levels, chaste tree berries are used to relieve hormone-related conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal symptoms, and hormone-dependent acne.

Risks

Women who have endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or cancers of the breasts or reproductive system; and men who have prostate cancer should not take chaste tree berries. Because chaste tree berries may have an effect on dopamine levels, individuals who have Parkinson's disease or mental illnesses should also avoid taking them.

Side Effects

Chaste tree berries have been reported to cause fast heartbeat, headaches, nausea, rashes, or unusual menstrual bleeding.

Interactions

Because they can act like female hormones in the body, chaste tree berries could interfere with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptives. They can also interfere with drugs that affect dopamine levels.

Last Revised August 9, 2007

References

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Last Revised August 9, 2007

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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