Does Chasteberry Help With Hives?

Hives are a common skin disorder characterized by red, inflamed, itchy lumps known as wheals. Chronic hives are typically associated with an identifiable allergy, including reactions to food, medications, plants, animal dander, sunlight and cold. Practitioners of herbal medicine claim that the herb chasteberry helps to ease itching and inflammation linked with hives. The need exists, however, for further research to confirm chasteberry's safety and effectiveness. Do not attempt to treat severe hives with herbal remedies -- always consult a physician.

Chasteberry Basics

The chaste tree, also known as chasteberry, monk's pepper and vitex, is a fragrant deciduous tree indigenous to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and western Asia. It reaches heights of 21 feet and produces palm-shaped leaves. The tree's delicate purple flowers grow in upright clusters. They are succeeded by red-black berries that give the tree its spicy aroma and, along with its leaves and flowers, constitute the source of chasteberry's medicinal value.

About Hives

Urticaria, or hives, can occur anywhere on your body. Its red wheals sometimes have a white center, and they commonly combine to form large, patchy areas. Allergic sensitivity to external factors triggers the production of histamine, an inflammatory agent that causes swelling and itching. The condition usually subsides within a few hours, but occasionally it may produce persistent discomfort, in which case your doctor may prescribe antihistamine or steroid treatment.

Chasteberry-Hives Link

The leaves and flowers of the chaste tree contain active ingredients such as testosterone, progesterone, hydroprogesterone and agnoside. Herbalists claim that all of these constituents help alleviate itching and inflammation. An animal study published in the August 2003 issue of "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" appears to agree with the herbalist view. Research indicated that oral application of fresh leaves of the five-leaved chaste tree have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antihistamine properties. This suggests that chasteberry may help inhibit inflammation and itching associated with hives. Further human studies are needed, however, to confirm these observations. Moreover, according to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing," in rare cases, chasteberry can actually cause hives.

Side Effects

Chasteberry can induce nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, confusion, acne and headache. The herb may cause heavier or prolonged menstruation and multiple births. Pregnant and lactating women and others with estrogen-sensitive cancers should avoid chasteberry. Do not take chasteberry with birth control pills or estrogen-replacement therapy. Women and men of reproductive age should not use the herb. In addition, chasteberry may interfere with medications that regulate dopamine in the brain, such as drugs that treat Parkinson's disease and psychoactive medications.