Ancient cultures cultivated herbs like chasteberry for treating physical ailments, relieving emotional distress or preventing diseases many centuries before the fist pharmaceutical company opened for business. Hailed as a traditional remedy for gynecological complaints, chasteberry tea may decrease premenstrual mood swings and help women move through menopause. There are, however, some possible side effects from using this herb.
Chaste Tree
Reportedly used by monks in the Middle Ages to decrease sexual desire, fruit from the chaste tree has since found its way into medicine cabinets or kitchen cupboards in the form of tablets, capsules, tinctures and herbal tea. The drought-resistant chaste tree, native to southern Europe and western Asia, looks more like a large shrub than a tree. Clusters of violet or white flowers in late spring to early summer attract butterflies and birds, and produce the fleshy berries harvested for herbal remedies and teas. Cooks also use seeds from the berries as spices.
Benefits
Women can use chasteberry to stimulate production of breast milk, increase fertility, decrease premenstrual symptoms and counteract the hormone imbalances associated with menopause. Chasteberry apparently changes certain hormonal levels in the body, such as progesterone, which reportedly enables it to provide relief from PMS and menopausal symptoms. If you have fresh chasteberry available, the ratio for a homemade brew is 1 tsp. of berries in 1 cup of boiling water infused for 10 to 15 minutes, taken three times a day. Chasteberry is otherwise available on the market as an herbal tea, sometimes called Vitex, a shortened form of the tree's Latin name, Vitex agnus-castus.
Side Effects
Side effects, though rare, include stomach upset or nausea, headaches, acne-like skin rash and difficulty sleeping. Chasteberry may also affect menstrual flow or cause weight gain. Because of its action in altering hormone levels, women who are breastfeeding or pregnant, have active breast cancer or a history of breast cancer, and those on oral contraceptives should not use chasteberry.
Drug Interactions
Chasteberry may interfere with antipsychotic medications and drugs used for Parkinson's disease which affect dopamine in the brain, since chasteberry also alters dopamine levels. Metoclopramide or Reglan, a prescription medication used for heartburn, also affects dopamine, and chasteberry may decrease its effectiveness. It might also interact with estrogens taken for menopause.
Warning
Despite their natural state, many herbs contain potent properties that might adversely affect the action of certain medications or other supplements, and actually worsen medical conditions. Always check with your health care provider before taking any herbal remedy, including tea, and bring along a detailed list of any other supplements or medications you already take regularly.
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