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Common names: Vitex, Chaste tree, Monk’s pepper, Chasteberry, Agni casti fructus. Botanical name: Vitex agnus-castus Nutritional Support at a Glance: Used as nutritional support by person’s with Premenstrual syndrome and tension (except type C characterized by headache, palpitations and dizziness, cravings for sweets), Female infertility due to low progesterone, Fibrotic breast disease, Fluid retention, Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Menorrhagia (heavy menstruation), Metrorrhagia (from functional causes), Polymenorrhea (shortened cycle) caused by low progesterone levels, Pregnancy and Post-partum support, excellent results when used to promote lactation; has demonstrated antimicrobial activity, and is used for hormonally imbalanced Acne. Notice to Consumers: No information is provided as an enticement to purchase and in accordance with section 201(g) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, is not intended to treat, prevent, cure or mitigate any disease and is for your perusal and to be used in concert with your physician. View our product formulation: Agnus Castus Parts Used Medicinally: Dried fruit (berries) have a pepper-like aroma and flavor and the leaves and tender stems as well as the flowers are used for medicinal purposes. The leaves, flowers, and/or berries may be consumed right off the plant or uses as a decoction, cider vinegar tincture, syrup, elixir, or traditional medicinal tincture. The berries are used as a tonic herb for both male and female reproductive systems with the leaves being less potent. Extract of the seeds of the plant Vitex agnus castus is proven to be highly efficacious as a repellent against ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and biting flies. Vitex is available in many forms of herbal medicine preparations. Traditional and/or Historical Use: Agnus castus is commonly used as a female remedy. This herb has been used to treat every aspect of the female reproductive system, including amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), premenstrual syndrome, female infertility, fibrotic breast disease, amenorrhea, endometriosis, menorrhagia (heavy menstruation) or hemorrhage following childbirth., pregnancy and post-partum support, acne associated with hormonal imbalances as well as mood swings and cramping. Solutions made from the fruit and plant were used in sitz baths for any ailment of the uterus. (see below for additional information). Active Biochemical’s or Phytochemical’s and/or Mechanism’s of Action: Vitex is indirectly progesterogenic and is a prolactin inhibitor as well as a dopamine agonist and a galactagogue. The essential oils contain (0.7%) monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes as well as methoxylated flavonoids including casticin; also iridoid glycosides, including (0.3%) aucubin and (0.6%) agnoside. The mechanism of action is its influence on the pituitary and the production of luteinizing hormone which indirectly increases progesterone and helps regulate the menstrual cycle. Vitex also decreases elevated prolactin levels and therefore may be useful as a fertility aid as demonstrated in 2 uncontrolled studies where after 3 months treatment with Chaste tree, 39 out of 45 cases were considered successful with 7 pregnancies, 25 had normal serum progesterone levels at 20 days with another 7 approaching normal levels. Studies of those suffering from mastalgia (breast tenderness) were considered superior to pharmacologic drugs because of the lower incidence of side-effects. Over a period of 2-3 months low-dose Vitex demonstrated significant relief from PMS symptoms as well as mood swings, irritability, decreased headaches, cramping and breast tenderness. In a lactation study of 817 women, the average milk production increased 3 times that of the control group after only 20 days. Although Vitex contains no hormones it has a rather broad spectrum of phytochemical’s that can directly or indirectly influence female physiology. Studies also demonstrate efficacy when used for fibroids, follicular ovarian cysts, erectile impotence in men, BPH, and hypogonadism. Taking the whole fruit extract appears to more effective than taking only one of its chemical constituents Recommended Dosage: Although it is sold as a standardized herb (5,000 ppm of agnoside and 6,000 ppm aucubin) in 400 mg. capsules taken 1 or 2 times daily for physician dosage, the German Commission E monograph recommends a daily intake of 30 to 40 mg of the dried herb in capsules or in water-alcohol solutions, usually taken in the morning with fluids for 2-3 months because of its reported slow-action at those low doses. Vitex can be taken for years at low dose levels, but for more immediate response to female disorders, daily or twice daily doses of 400 mg standardized Vitex may be recommended by your physician for 6-8 weeks. Hormonal regulation is more receptive and is considered more effective if taken at 400 mg to 500 mg morning dose levels. If you become pregnant you must stop taking this herb and also if the menstrual cycle is excessively changed while taking Vitex. Before taking Vitex agnus-castus you should consult with your physician. Vitex may also be used as a male tonic, consult your physician. Toxicity, Cautions, Contra-Indications: No toxicity has been established. Although chaste tree is beneficial for use with spasmodic dysmenorrheal associated with PMS or congestive dysmenorrheal, it probably should not be taken with birth control pills, HRT, or in conjunction with progesterone medication and may aggravate spasmodic dysmenorrheal not associated with PMS. Side-effect are quite rare and are primarily nausea, but during clinical trials some women reported mild gastrointestinal complaints, brief headaches, and skin eruptions which were not considered serious. This herb may have hormonal effects and should not be used by women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer or other hormone sensitive conditions and may interfere with in vitro fertilization. Drug Interactions: George T. Grossberg, M.D. & Barry Fox, Ph.D reports,”Taking this herb with the following drugs may increase the risk of dopaminergic side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness; amantadine, bromocriptine, carbidopa, levodopa, levodopa-carbidopa, pergolide, pramipexole, ropinirole and may interfere with the action of ethinyl estradiol and desogestrol, ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone, ethynl estradiol and ethynodiol diacetate, ethinyl levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel, menstranol and norethindrone, norgestrel.” General References: Balch, J. and Balch, P., (1997) Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Garden City Park, New York: Avery Publishing Group. Castleman, M., (1991) The Healing Herbs. Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press. Chopra, D., (1993) Alternative Medicine. Fife, Washington: Future Medicine Publishing, Inc. Flynn, R. and Roest, M., (1995) Your Guide to Standardized Herbal Products. Prescott, Arizona: One World Press. Murray, M., (1996) Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Unites States of America: Prima Publishing. Murray, M. and Pizzorno, J., (1998) Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. United States of America: Prima Publishing. Null, G., (1998) The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing. New York, New York: Kensington Publishing Corp. Werbach, M., (1993) Nutritional Influences of Illness. Tarzana, California: Third Line Press. Melvin R. Werbach, M.D. & Jeffrey Moss, D.D.S., C.N.S., C.C.N. (1999) Textbook of Nutritional Medicine. Third Line Press, Inc. Tarzana, CA. Simon Mills, MCPP, FNIMH, MA & Kerry Bone MCPP FNHAA FNIMH BSc (Hons) (2000) Principles and Practices of Phytotherapy. New York, NY Churchill Livingstone. Joseph Pizzorno, Jr. & Michael Murray, (1999) Textbook of Natural Medicine. New York, NY, Churchill Livingstone. M. Murray, N.D.(1995) The Healing Power of Herbs. New York, NY, Gramercy Books. Melvin R. Werbach M.D. & Michael T Murray, N.D., (2000) Botanical Influences on Illness. A Sourcebook of Clinical Research. Tarzana, CA, Third Line Press. George T. Grossberg, M.D. & Barry Fox, Ph.D. (2007) The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide. New York, NY, Broadway Books. James F. Balch, M.D. & Mark Stengler, N.D., (2004) Prescription for Natural Cures. Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Supportive Published Research:
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