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| Vitex instead works through another important chemical pathway, the hypothalamus-pituitary axis, to balance female hormones. Two of the iridoid glycosides, agnuside and aucubin, have been used to measure potency, and have even been used for standardization markers. The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are responsible for triggering the female hormonal cycle. Chaste berries are most often used in PMS, hypermenorrhea, unusual menstrual cycling, uterine fibroids and poor lactation. At the end of the study 31% of patients had complete relief of symptoms, and 55% reported significant improvement. The good acceptability of the preparation is also shown by the long duration of the treatment, with a mean of 5 months, and up to 9 years in some cases...The tolerance is exceptional: only 2.3% of patients experienced unwanted effects with the treatment..." [1]. Clinical studies using vitex show a reduction in headaches, breast tenderness, bloating, fatigue, cravings for sweets, and also feelings of anxiety, irritability, depression and mood swings, often after only one month. Vitex is often used to help infertility caused by a luteal phase defect (a shortening of the post-ovulatory part of the menstrual cycle): women taking vitex for three months appear to have more success at becoming pregnant. [1]. The herb vitex can help the body establish a proper balance between estrogen and progesterone by encouraging the production of progesterone. [2] If taken regularly for several months, it helps to restore hormonal balance and alleviate PMS symptoms. [3]. In one study of 100 nursing mothers, vitex was shown to significantly improve milk flow and milk-release when compared to placebo. [4] Vitex is traditionally taken the first day after birth and continued for ten days. At low dose (120mg per day) of chasteberry, prolactin production is stimulated, while at higher dose (240-480mg per day) prolactin production is decreased. Herbalists have used vitex with much success in treating teenage acne. |
| Adolescent Acne Endometriosis Female Infertility Motherhood Issues Pregnancy-Related Issues Premenstrual Syndrome Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance |