Thought chasteberry flowers once were used to signal a woman’s virginity, today the plant aids women in more practical ways. Extracts from the fruit of the Vitex agnus-castus shrub appear to regulate a hormone released by the pituitary gland, helping to ease pain associated with a woman’s menstrual cycle. Because the botanical comes in different forms, whether it should be taken at mealtimes might not be clear. Always ask your physician before attempting any herbal self-healing.
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,...
The prescription medication duloxetine, available as the brand Cymbalta, is used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder and several health conditions that cause chronic pain. Chasteberry, with the botanical name Vite...
Chasteberry, also known as vitex or monk's pepper, contains medicinal compounds believed to influence the female endocrine system. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that studies of chasteberry offer promising bu...
Chasteberry, which also goes by the name agnus castus, is an herbal remedy that supposedly helps regulate female hormones. You may have heard that it can help you ovulate, but no scientific proof supports this. Ask a doctor for...
Endometriosis is a female disorder in which the cells that normally line the uterus migrate outside of this organ, to other parts of the body. These endometrial cells react to hormonal levels in the body and behave as they woul...
A report in the December 2001 issue of the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology" found that 44 percent of women interviewed experienced acne flare-ups prior to their periods, with women older than 33 having more freq...
The pituitary gland is a tiny structure at the base of your brain. Often called the "master gland," it regulates the function of many organs, including the adrenal and thyroid glands, the kidneys and the reproductive organs. It...
Chaste tree, also called vitex or chasteberry, is an herbal supplement that has been used historically for menstrual problems and to stimulate lactation. It is still used for hormonal problems, premenstrual syndrome and menopau...
Chasteberry, also called Chinese vitex, vitex Agnus-castus and hemp tree, is an herbal medicine made from the fruit and seed of the chaste tree. Taking chasteberry supplements may help women suffering from various conditions be...
Chasteberry, also referred to as vitex, is a medicinal supplement derived from the fruit of the Vitex agnus castus plant. Traditionally, chasteberry is used to reduce menstrual irregularities and premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, ...
Chasteberry, a perennial shrub, is a member of the verbena family. It is also known by its botanical name Vitex agnus castus, as well as vitex, monk's pepper and chaste tree. Chasteberry is native to parts of Asia and the Medit...
Miscarriage is surprisingly common, affecting 15 to 20 percent of known pregnancies, according to MayoClinic.com. It's not always clear what causes miscarriage or how to prevent it, but in some cases, the herbal supplement chas...
Chasteberry, the fruit from the chaste tree, is a popular method of alleviating negative symptoms associated with menstruation, among other women's reproductive processes. Some of these symptoms include pain, bloating and mood ...
Chasteberry, also called vitex, chaste tree and monk's pepper, has a reputation as a remedy for symptoms related to the female menstrual cycle, including cramps, breast pain and acne outbreaks. The leaves and flower heads of th...
Chaste tree, or vitex agnus-castus L., is an herbal supplement that has a variety of uses. It's also called vitex, chaste berry, Monk's pepper and agnus castus. It's most often used to aid hormonal imbalances and the conditions...
In "Clinical Nutrition Insights," Joseph L. Mayo, MD, writes that chasteberry contains numerous compounds that help to balance and normalize the female reproductive system. Chasteberry appears to indirectly affect two hormones:...
Chasteberry has been widely used for a variety of purposes since at least the Middle Ages, when monks nibbled on chasteberry leaves to quell mortal desires. Chasteberry was used traditionally by women to ease menstrual symptoms...
Compounds in the chasteberry tree may help reduce hot flashes, ease cyclic breast pain, lessen excessive menstrual bleeding and stimulate breast milk production. Because of its hormone-like effects, though, chasteberry is risky...
Chasteberry is nothing new; it was used in ancient times to treat gynecological symptoms and to decrease sexual urges. Today this herb is still taken internally for many purposes from reducing hot flashes to relieving the pain ...
Chasteberry, considered a mainstay in the alternative medicine treatment of reproductive tract disorders, menstrual complaints and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), may be helpful in treating your acne. Although studies and clinical...
Chasteberry, also known as chaste-tree berry, vitex and monk's pepper, comes from the chaste tree, a small tree that grows in the Mediterranean region and Central Asia, according to the National Institutes of Health's National ...
Chasteberry, or Vitex agnus-castus, also known as monk's pepper or chaste tree berry, is a small shrub-like tree native to central Asia and the Mediterranean. The plant's common name derives from the medieval belief that consum...
Chasteberry is the fruit from the chaste tree and is used as a dietary supplement to relieve a variety of women's health issues. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) explains that chasteberry s...
The wrap-around shot in hockey is one of the most difficult goals to score but one of the most exciting to watch. The wrap-around shot is so named because it occurs when a player behind the opposing team's net tries to wrap th...
Like its name implies, chasteberry treats conditions associated with the reproductive system. In the past monks chewed chasteberry leaves to help them maintain their vow of celibacy. Chasteberry helps relieve PMS symptoms and ...
