Menopause is not an illness, but for some women, its symptoms, which include hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, depression and mood swings interfere with everyday life. Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing the hormone, estrogen. Hormone replacement therapy may help alleviate menopausal symptoms but it may cause health problems. The herb vitex is sometimes used as a natural remedy for the relief of menopausal symptoms, although evidence to prove it works is limited. Get medical clearance before using herbs.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Vitex agnus castus, also known as chasteberry, is a shrub-like tree. It produces berries that were used by monks in the Middle Ages to decrease their sexual desire. Today, it is primarily used to treat uterine bleeding, painful menstruation and menopausal symptoms. It contains a number of biologically-active compounds including progestins and may confer estrogen-like effects.
Administration
NCCAM notes that the dried berries of the chasteberry plant are used to prepare vitex supplements. You can take this herb as a liquid extract or in capsules or tablets. Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes that a typical dose is 20mg taken one to three times per day. Alternatively, you may prefer to take 40 drops of a vitex liquid tincture daily. These dosages are only intended as a guideline. Follow the instructions on your vitex supplement's label or get further advice from a medical professional.
Effectiveness
Studies examining the role of vitex in the treatment of menopausal symptoms are limited. However, an article published in the August 2009 issue of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" notes that emerging evidence supports a role for vitex in the alleviation of menopausal symptoms. Findings of a clinical study published in the February 2007 issue of "Gynecological Endocrinology" show that vitex helps reduce night sweats and hot flashes. However, it was combined with several other herbs including American ginseng, dong quai and milk thistle, so it is difficult to determine whether vitex would have the same effects when used alone.
Safety Considerations
NCCAM notes that vitex use is not associated with significant adverse effects, but adds that it may cause gastrointestinal upset and dizziness. Don't use this herb if you have a hormone-sensitive cancer, for example, breast or ovarian cancer. Also avoid vitex if you are taking anti-psychotic drugs or Parkinson's medicines. It may also interact with drugs that affect the pituitary gland.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Menopause
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Chasteberry
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Chasteberry
- Mississippi Health Systems: Chasteberry
- "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; Vitex Agnus-Castus (Chaste-Tree/Berry) in the Treatment of Menopause-Related Complaints; M.D van Die, et al.; August 2009
- "Gynecological Endocrinology"; Phyto-Female Complex for the Relief of Hot Flushes, Night Sweats and Quality of Sleep: Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study; C.Rotem and B. Kaplan; Feb 2007
