Chasteberry, referred to as monk's pepper or vitex agnus-castus, is an herb that comes from the chaste tree native to Asia and the Mediterranean. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, chasteberry was named as such by monk's during the Middle Ages who used it to suppress sexual libido. Today, chasteberry is used to suppress symptoms attributed to troublesome menstrual cycles and infertility issues. As always, it is imperative to seek the counsel of a licensed health professional before attempting to self-medicate.
Premenstrual Syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome is a condition that creates bloating, breast pain, irregular bowel movements and mood instability in some women just prior to their menstrual period. Chasteberry has proven to be an effective means of controlling symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. The "American Family Physician" reports that chasteberry was more effective than a placebo across a number of clinical trials for the reduction of symptoms attributed to this disorder to include breast pain/tenderness, bloating and water retention, constipation, irritability, depressed moods, anger and headaches.
Menopause
Menopause is a condition resulting from the end of menses. This condition is characterized by a reduction in hormones, hot flashes and a multitude of symptoms associated to the adjustment to low estrogen levels. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine posits that chasteberry has been used for the relief of symptoms due to menopause thanks to its ability to regulate hormones. However, this herb should not be used for those with breast cancer, hormone-sensitive conditions, or those taking antipsychotic or Parkinson's medication.
Infertility
In Germany, chasteberry is a widely accepted method of treating women with fertility issues due to problem menstruation. In several clinical trials, chasteberry proved to be highly effective in improving pregnancy occurrence among women with irregular, insufficient or similar causes of infertility. According to the "American Family Physician" more than 50 percent of women who participated in these trials enjoyed the success of becoming pregnant without complication or significant side effects.
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