HERBAL THERAPIES:
CHASTEBERRY

This article provides basic information about the herb chasteberry — common names, uses, potential side effects and resources for more information. Chasteberry is the fruit of the chaste tree, a small shrub-like tree native to Central Asia and the Mediterranean region. The name is thought to come from a belief that the plant promoted chastity — it is reported that monks in the Middle Ages used chasteberry to decrease sexual desire.

Common Names — chasteberry, chaste-tree berry, vitex, monk's pepper

Latin Name — Vitex agnus-castus

What It Is Used For

· Chasteberry has been used for thousands of years, mostly by women to ease menstrual problems and to stimulate the production of breast milk.

· Chasteberry is still used for menstrual problems, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), as well as for symptoms of menopause, some types of infertility and acne.

How It Is Used

· The dried ripe chasteberry is used to prepare liquid extracts or solid extracts that are put into capsules and tablets.

What the Science Says

· A few studies of chasteberry for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) have found a benefit. However, most of these studies were not well designed, so firm conclusions about chasteberry for PMS cannot be drawn.

· Small studies suggest that chasteberry may help with breast pain and some types of infertility, but there is not enough reliable scientific evidence to determine whether chasteberry has any effect on these conditions.

· The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a part of the National Institutes of Health, is funding studies on chasteberry. Recent projects have explored how chasteberry works in the body and how it might affect symptoms of PMS.

Side Effects and Cautions

· Chasteberry has not been associated with serious side effects. However, it can cause gastrointestinal problems, acne-like rashes and dizziness.

· Chasteberry may affect certain hormone levels. Women who are pregnant or taking birth control pills or who have a hormone-sensitive condition (such as breast cancer) should not use chasteberry.

· Because chasteberry may affect the dopamine system in the brain, people taking dopamine-related medications, such as selegiline, amantadine and levodopa, should avoid chasteberry.

· Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources

1. Chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:95-103.

2. Chasteberry. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed on November 21, 2006.

3. Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed on November 21, 2006.

4. Chaste tree fruit. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:62-64.