Chasteberry

what is Chasteberyy herbs??

The aromatic fruit of Vitex agnus-castus L., a small tree or large shrub of the family Verbanaceae that grows in the Mediterinian region. chasteberry has been used in Europian herbal medicine for a long time. The name is thought to come from a belief that the plant can promoted chastity and it is reported that monks in the Middle Ages used chasteberry to decrease sexual desire.

Nowdays, Chasteberry believed to have dopaminergic properties. Dopamine and dopamine agonists inhibit the secretion of the peptide hormone prolactin by the pituitary gland. The symptom of PMS including mastodynia and amenorrhea and irregular periods have been associated with elevated blood levels of prolactin.However, the nature of the chemical principles in chasteberry responsible for this prolactin-depressant effect has not been established.

benefits of Chasteberry

The German Commission E has recommended the use of chasteberry for a variety of menstrual disturbances and mastodynia.

The herb is usually administered in the form of a concentrated alcoholic extract of the fruit, average dose is 20 mg per day. Patient are warned that the herb should not be used during pregnancy of lactation, and the use of the herb does occasionally produce an itchy rash in sensitive consumers.

side effect and caution when used Chasteberry

• Chasteberry has not been associated with serious side effects. However, it can cause gastrointestinal problems, acne-like rashes, and dizziness.
• 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 this herbs may affect certain hormone levels.
• People who taking dopamine-related medications, such as certain antipsychotic drugs and Parkinson's disease medications, should avoid using chasteberry. This is because chasteberry may affect the dopamine system in the brain.