Chaste tree, also known as vitex or chasteberry, has a long history of use treating various female problems such as infertility, irregular menstruation and premenstrual syndrome. It appears to help balance production of various hormones, including estrogen, progesterone and prolactin. According to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a "growing body of evidence" supports the use of chaste tree for these purposes. While it is prudent to consult with a physician before using any herbal treatment, it is particularly important when using herbs that exert influence over your hormones, as these chemical messengers play a critical role in every bodily process.
Dosage Guidelines
The University of Michigan Health System notes the following daily doses -- to be taken in the morning -- have been used in scientific studies for various conditions: PMS, 20 mg; infertility, fibrocystic breast disease, acne, amenorrhea, menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea, 35 to 40 mg of dried extract or 40 drops of liquid extract.
Length of Use
Chaste tree does not function as a fast-acting solution to hormonal imbalances. In most instances, you need to take the herb for at least three months before you notice any effect, depending on the reason for use. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports you might need to take this herb for 12 to 18 months to correct amenorrhea, or absence of menstruation, fully. Beth Israel notes one study on PMS that found women did not experience improvement in symptoms until they took the herb through three menstrual cycles. The University of Michigan points to a study on luteal phase defect -- where the second half of the menstrual cycle is too short to support the full implantation of a fertilized egg -- that found women experienced an improvement in hormone levels or actually got pregnant after three months of use. Working with a physician well-versed in herbal medicine can help you determine how long you should use chaste tree to address your particular health concern. You do not want to take it for longer than you need, and you do not want to give up on the treatment before it has had a chance to work.
Contraindications
Drugs.com reports chaste tree is contraindicated if you are pregnant, experience abnormal ovulation or are breastfeeding. Because of its effects on hormones, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center cautions against use if you have hormone-sensitive diseases such as breast cancer. Whether or not you can safely use this herb if you have liver or kidney disease has not been established -- these organs have a particular sensitivity to the substances you put in your body, particularly when functioning in a diseased state. Talk to your doctor about the safety of using chaste tree in these instances.
Medication Interactions
Chaste tree does not have any official documented medication interactions, according to Beth Israel, but certain actions of the herb could theoretically interfere with the actions of certain medications. Examples include hormonal contraceptives, dopamine D2 antagonists such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol and prochlorperazine, drugs that act on the pituitary gland and infertility drugs.
Side Effects
Widely used in Germany for a long time, significant negative effects have not been reported there. Possible adverse reactions include nausea, headache, stomach upset, acne, rash, itching and menstrual disorders.
References
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chasteberry; April 2011
- Drugs.com: Complete Chaste Tree Information
- University of Michigan Health System; Vitex; December 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Amenorrhea; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; December 2009
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Vitex; March 2011
