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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Vitex agnus-castus''
| image = Vitex2180.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Vitex agnus-castus'' flowers with halictid bee, [[Hemingway, South Carolina]]
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = [[Vitex]]
| species = '''''V. agnus-castus'''''
}}
{{commons|Vitex_agnus-castus|Vitex agnus-castus}}
'''''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.
===Cultivation and Uses===
''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.
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}}.
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.
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.
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.
==References==
*Hartung, T., 2000. ''Growing 101 Herbs That Heal''. Storey Books. ISBN 1-58017-215-6
*Chevallier, A., 2000. ''Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine''. Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0-7894-6783-6
[[Category:Verbenaceae]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Vitex agnus-castus''
| image = Vitex2180.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Vitex agnus-castus'' flowers with halictid bee, [[Hemingway, South Carolina]]
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = [[Vitex]]
| species = '''''V. agnus-castus'''''
}}
{{commons|Vitex_agnus-castus|Vitex agnus-castus}}
'''''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.
===Cultivation and Uses===
''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.
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}}.
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.
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.
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.
==References==
*Hartung, T., 2000. ''Growing 101 Herbs That Heal''. Storey Books. ISBN 1-58017-215-6
*Chevallier, A., 2000. ''Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine''. Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0-7894-6783-6
[[Category:Verbenaceae]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
