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Vitex agnus-castus (view source)

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{{Taxobox
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__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
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| color = lightgreen
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| latin_name = ''Vitex agnus-castus''
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| name = ''Vitex agnus-castus''
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| common_names = Vitex, Chaste Tree, Chasteberry, Hemp Tree, Monk's Pepper
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| image = Vitex2180.jpg
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| growth_habit = deciduous shrub
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| image_width = 240px
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| high = 3m (? ft)
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| image_caption = ''Vitex agnus-castus'' flowers with halictid bee, [[Hemingway, South Carolina]]
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| wide = 3m (? ft)
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| origin = ?  <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->
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| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
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| poisonous =     <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| lifespan = perennial
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| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
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| exposure = full sun, part-sun
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| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
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| water = infrequent, drought tolerant
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| genus = [[Vitex]]
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| features = flowers, medicinal
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| species = '''''V. agnus-castus'''''
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| hardiness =    <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
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| bloom = very late season
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| usda_zones = ?  <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
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| sunset_zones =    <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
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| color = IndianRed
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| image = Vitex-agnus-castus-foliage.JPG
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| image_width = 240px    <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
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| image_caption =     <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->
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| familia = Verbenaceae
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| genus = Vitex  
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| species = agnus-castus
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}}
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{{Inc|
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Vitex agnus-castus, Linn. Chaste-Tree. Hemp-tree. Monk's Pepper-Tree. Shrub or small tree, with a strong aromatic odor, grayish tomentose: lvs. long-stalked; lfts. 6-7, lanceolate, acuminate, narrowed at the base into a short stalk, entire or with few coarse teeth, grayish-tomentose beneath, the middle one 3-4 in. long: the fls. in dense, sessile clusters, forming terminal, often panicled spikes 5-7 in. long; corolla usually pale or lilac, grayish outside, 5-7in. long; stamens and style exserted. July-Sept. S. Eu., W. Asia. Var. '''alba''', Rehd. (''V. albiflora'', Hort. ''Agnus-castus vulgaris alba'', Carr.). Fls. white.
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{{SCH}}
 
}}
 
}}
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{{commons|Vitex_agnus-castus|Vitex agnus-castus}}
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==Cultivation==
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Grow in almost any type of soil, and prefer dry situations{{SCH}}.
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'''''Vitex agnus-castus''''' — commonly called just '''Vitex''', but also called '''Chaste Tree''', '''Chasteberry''', or '''Monk's Pepper''' — is a native of the [[Mediterranean]] region. Refer to [[Vitex]] for other species in the genus.
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Grows best in light loamy soil with good drainage, in a warm sunny sheltered position. Does well in dry soils, does not tolerate soil that remains wet. Hardy to approx. -10°C. Plants only flower freely in a warm summer, so in cooler climates should be grown against a south facing wall. Leaves and stems highly aromatic, with deliciously scented flowers and the dried seeds giving off a strong lemony scent. Flowers produced at ends of the current year's growth, very late in the season. Therefore pruning is best done in the spring.
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===Cultivation and Uses===
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===Propagation===
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''Vitex agnus-castus'' is widely cultivated in warm temperate and subtropical regions for its '''aromatic''' foliage and flowers. It grows to a height of 1-5 metres. It requires full sun or partial shade along with well-drained soil.  
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Seeds in spring, greenwood cuttings under glass, layering{{SCH}}.
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It is sometimes used for the treatment of [[Premenstrual stress syndrome|PMS]].  It is believed to be an [[anaphrodisiac]], hence the name "chaste tree", and is used as a medicinal plant by many herbalists. The parts used include the leaves, flowers, and berries. The '''berries''' are considered a tonic herb for both the male and female [[reproductive system]]s. The '''leaves''' have the same effect, but to a somewhat lesser degree. It is used in some supplements for male [[bodybuilder]]s as a secondary component, as some studies suggested that it may decrease the [[prolactin]] levels [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9021345&dopt=Abstract], which, in turn, increases LH ([[luteinizing hormone]])and [[testosterone]] levels [http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/vitex.html]. It has been assumed to not have the same effect on the female hormonal balance, but recent studies contradict this {{Fact|date=March 2007}}.
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Sow the easy-to-germinate seeds indoors in March. In cooler climate, keep in pots in a greenhouse the first year and winter to give them greater success upon outdoor planting the following summer. Take cuttings in mid-late summer which are 5-8cm of semi-ripe wood, with a heel, or mature wood can be taken in November to be placed in a cold frame.
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Vitex Agnus-Castus is a herb used by natural health practitioners for treating female menstrual hormone imbalances, both minor and major ones - such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (POS).  Women with menstrual cycle irregularities often do not produce enough progesterone during the second phase of their menstrual cycle (luteal phase). This means that estrogen, the dominant female hormone in the first phase, continues to dominate in the second phase leading to menstrual cycle abnormalities.
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===Pests and diseases===
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{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
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Vitex works on the pituitary gland, which is responsible for signaling the body to make the appropriate amounts of each hormone.  This helps regulate menstrual cycles and relieve unpleasant mentrual symptoms, including headaches.  Although vitex may take six to twelve weeks of use to before its results are noticable, it gets to the root of menstrual cycle regulation problems.  It is also used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
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==Cultivars==
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The leaves and tender stem growth of the upper 10 cm (4 inches), along with the flowers and ripening seeds, may be harvested for medicinal purposes. The berries are harvested by gently rubbing the berries loose from the stem. The leaves, flowers, and/or berries may be consumed as a decotion, traditional [[tincture]], cider vinegar tincture, syrup, [[elixir]], or simply eaten straight off the plant as a medicinal food.
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==Gallery==
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{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->
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<gallery>
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Image:Vitex agnus-castus foliage.jpg
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Image:Vitex agnus-castus flowers.jpg
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Image:Vitex-agnus-castus-habit.JPG|Habit
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Image:Vitex-agnus-castus-flowers.JPG|Close-up on the flowers (and bumblebee)
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Image:Vitex_agnus-castus_A.jpg|'Alba'
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Image:Vitex_agnus-castus_B.jpg|'Alba'
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Image:Vitex_agnus-castus_C.jpg|'Alba'
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Image:Vitex_agnus-castus1.jpg
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Image:Vitex_agnus-castus2.jpg
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Image:Foliage of Vitex agnus-castus in Texas.jpg
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Image:Flowers of Vitex agnus-castus in Texas.jpg
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</gallery>
    
==References==
 
==References==
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*Hartung, T., 2000. ''Growing 101 Herbs That Heal''. Storey Books. ISBN 1-58017-215-6
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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*Chevallier, A., 2000. ''Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine''. Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0-7894-6783-6
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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==External links==
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*{{wplink}}
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[[Category:Categorize]]
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