Chasteberry Explained Simply

1. What Is Chasteberry (Vitex Agnus-Castus)?

Chasteberry is a plant from the mint family. The ripe, dried fruits are used. They are traditionally used for complaints of the female cycle, for example for a feeling of tension in the breast or before menstruation. In studies, a dry extract from the fruits is usually tested.

2. Where Is It Found, and What Is It Made From?

The plant grows in the Mediterranean region and in parts of Asia. It is also cultivated in other warm regions. Extracts are made from the dried fruits, often as a dry extract with a defined ratio of starting material to extract. In studies, mainly extracts in capsule or tablet form are used. Tea from the fruits is also common; studies with chasteberry tea alone are still pending.

3. What Does Chasteberry (Vitex Agnus-Castus) Do? What Research Shows

Menstrual Cycle Disorders

For complaints before menstruation, chasteberry relieved overall complaints more than a sham treatment 2513141617. A review found it more effective than a sham treatment, vitamin B6 or magnesium oxide in seven of eight studies 9. In a more severe form of the complaints, similar numbers of women responded to the extract as to the drug fluoxetine 22. A review classifies the large overall effect as preliminary because of possible bias 5.

Breast Tenderness (Mastalgia)

For cyclical breast pain, chasteberry relieved pain in a review of six studies with sham treatment 1. In two studies, breast pain decreased more than under a sham treatment in the first one to two months, with tablets 15 and with drops 26. Premenstrual breast tension also decreased more than under a sham treatment 14 or under vitamin B6 27. It is open whether the relief persists beyond the first months 26.

Fertility

Reviews see initial evidence of a benefit in unfulfilled desire to have children 711. A combination preparation of chasteberry, green tea, L-arginine, vitamins and minerals led to more pregnancies than a sham treatment in two small studies 2829. What share chasteberry has in this is open. A study with chasteberry alone that measures pregnancies as the outcome is still pending.

Menopausal Symptoms

For menopausal complaints, an extract in one study lowered the overall score, anxiety and hot flashes more than a sham treatment 20. Physical complaints, depression and sexual function did not differ 20. Larger studies with chasteberry alone are still pending.

Other Investigations

In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, an extract lowered oxidative stress, insulin resistance and LDL and increased HDL compared with a sham treatment 19. A further analysis found lower inflammatory values and a decreased anti-Müllerian hormone 23. In women of childbearing age, the overall score of sexual function improved more than under a sham treatment after four months, but individual domains did not 25. After bone fractures, callus formation did not differ between the groups 18.

4. How Was Chasteberry (Vitex Agnus-Castus) Taken in the Studies?

Mainly extracts from the fruits in capsule or tablet form were studied 131416171921. For cyclic breast pain, a solution as drops was also tested 26. Chasteberry was tested as a tea only in a mixture with fennel and horsemint (Mentha longifolia) 24.

5. Is Chasteberry (Vitex Agnus-Castus) Safe? Side Effects in the Studies

The studies report mainly mild and temporary complaints 16910. Most frequently mentioned are nausea, headache, gastrointestinal complaints, cycle disorders, acne, itching and skin rash; interactions were not reported 12. A review advises avoiding chasteberry during pregnancy and breastfeeding 12. Interactions with agents that block dopamine are conceivable 12.

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