Chaste tree
•Last Updated: September 28 2022
Vitex agnus-castus, also called Chaste Tree, is a flowering plant often used to alleviate premenstrual syndrome.
Chaste tree is most often used for
Last Updated: September 28 2022
Vitex agnus-castus is a supplement derived from berries. It is also called Vitex, Chaste Tree, or Chasteberry.
It is primarily used today to alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Vitex agnus-castus has outperformed placebo in numerous trials, and has been shown to be effective at reducing hot flashes, bloating, irritability, sleep disturbances, depressions, various mood disorders and even cramping associated with premenstrual syndrome.
Though animal evidence suggests that taking Vitex agnus-castus may increase estrogen and progesterone levels, further research is needed to confirm this effect. Vitex agnus-castus has limited use outside of its effects on premenstrual syndrome.
Vitex agnus-castus acts similarly to dopamine, by reducing prolactin levels, which are elevated during premenstrual syndrome. It may also act on the opioid system by releasing beta-endorphins, something the human body lacks during premenstrual syndrome.
Though Vitex agnus-castus has been used for a long time, by people that also use birth control, further research is needed to confirm its safety. It does not appear to interact with any pharmaceuticals, but because of the lack of evidence, pregnant or lactating women should not take Vitex agnus-castus.
Note that Chaste tree is also known as:
- Chaste Tree
- VAC
- Chasteberry
- Vitex Agnus-castus
Vitex agnus-castus supplements are based on the dry weight of the plant’s fruit. The standard dose is between 150-250mg. There are also two extractions of Vitex agnus-castus:
BNO 1095 is a 10:1 extraction and provides benefits at doses as low as 4 mg.
Ze 110 is a 6-12:1 extraction and provides benefits at doses of 20mg.
What works and what doesn't?
Unlock the full potential of Examine
1.^Webster DE, Lu J, Chen SN, Farnsworth NR, Wang ZJActivation of the mu-opiate receptor by Vitex agnus-castus methanol extracts: implication for its use in PMSJ Ethnopharmacol.(2006 Jun 30)
3.^Honda G, Yeşilada E, Tabata M, Sezik E, Fujita T, Takeda Y, Takaishi Y, Tanaka TTraditional medicine in Turkey. VI. Folk medicine in west Anatolia: Afyon, Kütahya, Denizli, Muğla, Aydin provincesJ Ethnopharmacol.(1996 Aug)
5.^Tamagno G, Burlacu MC, Daly AF, Beckers AVitex agnus castus might enrich the pharmacological armamentarium for medical treatment of prolactinomaEur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol.(2007 Nov)
6.^Meier B, Berger D, Hoberg E, Sticher O, Schaffner WPharmacological activities of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in vitroPhytomedicine.(2000 Oct)
7.^Wuttke W, Jarry H, Christoffel V, Spengler B, Seidlová-Wuttke DChaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)--pharmacology and clinical indicationsPhytomedicine.(2003 May)
8.^Hoberg E, Meier B, Sticher OQuantitative high performance liquid chromatographic analysis of diterpenoids in agni-casti fructusPlanta Med.(2000 May)
9.^Jarry H, Spengler B, Porzel A, Schmidt J, Wuttke W, Christoffel VEvidence for estrogen receptor beta-selective activity of Vitex agnus-castus and isolated flavonesPlanta Med.(2003 Oct)
11.^Ono M, Eguchi K, Konoshita M, Furusawa C, Sakamoto J, Yasuda S, Ikeda T, Okawa M, Kinjo J, Yoshimitsu H, Nohara TA new diterpenoid glucoside and two new diterpenoids from the fruit of Vitex agnus-castusChem Pharm Bull (Tokyo).(2011)
12.^Ono M, Yamasaki T, Konoshita M, Ikeda T, Okawa M, Kinjo J, Yoshimitsu H, Nohara TFive new diterpenoids, viteagnusins A--E, from the fruit of Vitex agnus-castusChem Pharm Bull (Tokyo).(2008 Nov)
13.^Ono M, Nagasawa Y, Ikeda T, Tsuchihashi R, Okawa M, Kinjo J, Yoshimitsu H, Nohara TThree new diterpenoids from the fruit of Vitex agnus-castusChem Pharm Bull (Tokyo).(2009 Oct)
14.^Chen SN, Friesen JB, Webster D, Nikolic D, van Breemen RB, Wang ZJ, Fong HH, Farnsworth NR, Pauli GFPhytoconstituents from Vitex agnus-castus fruitsFitoterapia.(2011 Jun)
15.^Sena Filho JG, Duringer J, Maia GL, Tavares JF, Xavier HS, da Silva MS, da-Cunha EV, Barbosa-Filho JMEcdysteroids from Vitex species: distribution and compilation of their 13C-NMR spectral dataChem Biodivers.(2008 May)
16.^Ahmad B, Azam S, Bashir S, Khan I, Adhikari A, Choudhary MIAnti-inflammatory and enzyme inhibitory activities of a crude extract and a pterocarpan isolated from the aerial parts of Vitex agnus-castusBiotechnol J.(2010 Nov)
18.^Berger D, Schaffner W, Schrader E, Meier B, Brattström AEfficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)Arch Gynecol Obstet.(2000 Nov)
19.^Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study.()
20.^Ho SH, Singh M, Holloway AC, Crankshaw DJThe effects of commercial preparations of herbal supplements commonly used by women on the biotransformation of fluorogenic substrates by human cytochromes P450Phytother Res.(2011 Jul)
21.^Dericks-Tan JS, Schwinn P, Hildt CDose-dependent stimulation of melatonin secretion after administration of Agnus castusExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes.(2003 Feb)
22.^Webster DE, He Y, Chen SN, Pauli GF, Farnsworth NR, Wang ZJOpioidergic mechanisms underlying the actions of Vitex agnus-castus LBiochem Pharmacol.(2011 Jan 1)
23.^Tuchman EExploring the prevalence of menopause symptoms in midlife women in methadone maintenance treatmentSoc Work Health Care.(2007)
24.^Simpkins JW, Katovich MJ, Song ICSimilarities between morphine withdrawal in the rat and the menopausal hot flushLife Sci.(1983 Apr 25)
25.^Casper RF, Yen SSNeuroendocrinology of menopausal flushes: an hypothesis of flush mechanismClin Endocrinol (Oxf).(1985 Mar)
26.^Giannini AJ, Price WA, Loiselle RHbeta-Endorphin withdrawal: a possible cause of premenstrual tension syndromeInt J Psychophysiol.(1984 Jun)
27.^Giannini AJ, Melemis SM, Martin DM, Folts DJSymptoms of premenstrual syndrome as a function of beta-endorphin: two subtypesProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry.(1994 Mar)
28.^Barden N, Mérand Y, Rouleau D, Garon M, Dupont AChanges in the beta-endorphin content of discrete hypothalamic nuclei during the estrous cycle of the ratBrain Res.(1981 Jan 12)
29.^Genazzani AR, Petraglia F, Mercuri N, Brilli G, Genazzani AD, Bergamaschi M, DeRamundo BM, Volpe AEffect of steroid hormones and antihormones on hypothalamic beta-endorphin concentrations in intact and castrated female ratsJ Endocrinol Invest.(1990 Feb)
30.^Possible Modulation of the Anexiogenic Effects of Vitex Agnus-castus by the Serotonergic System.()
31.^Sliutz G, Speiser P, Schultz AM, Spona J, Zeillinger RAgnus castus extracts inhibit prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cellsHorm Metab Res.(1993 May)
32.^Jarry H, Leonhardt S, Gorkow C, Wuttke WIn vitro prolactin but not LH and FSH release is inhibited by compounds in extracts of Agnus castus: direct evidence for a dopaminergic principle by the dopamine receptor assayExp Clin Endocrinol.(1994)
33.^YE Q, ZHANG QY, ZHENG CJ, WANG Y, QIN LPCasticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex rotundifolia, inhibits prolactin release in vivo and in vitroActa Pharmacol Sin.(2010 Dec)
34.^Ibrahim NA, Shalaby AS, Farag RS, Elbaroty GS, Nofal SM, Hassan EMGynecological efficacy and chemical investigation of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruits growing in EgyptNat Prod Res.(2008 Apr 15)
35.^Merz PG, Gorkow C, Schrödter A, Rietbrock S, Sieder C, Loew D, Dericks-Tan JS, Taubert HDThe effects of a special Agnus castus extract (BP1095E1) on prolactin secretion in healthy male subjectsExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes.(1996)
36.^Carmichael ARCan Vitex Agnus Castus be Used for the Treatment of Mastalgia? What is the Current EvidenceEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2008 Sep)
37.^van Die MD, Burger HG, Teede HJ, Bone KMVitex agnus-castus (Chaste-Tree/Berry) in the treatment of menopause-related complaintsJ Altern Complement Med.(2009 Aug)
38.^Mühlenstedt D, Bohnet HG, Hanker JP, Schneider HPShort luteal phase and prolactinInt J Fertil.(1978)
39.^Jeske W, Kłoś K, Perkowicz J, Stopińska USerum prolactin in women with premenstrual syndromeMater Med Pol.(1980 Jan-Jun)
40.^Zichella L, Falaschi P, Fioretti P, Melis GB, Cagnacci A, Gambacciani M, Mancini SEffects of different dopamine agonists and antagonists on post-menopausal hot flushesMaturitas.(1986 Oct)
41.^Oksa S, Luukkaala T, Mäenpää JToremifene for premenstrual mastalgia: a randomised, placebo-controlled crossover studyBJOG.(2006 Jun)
42.^Caleffi M, Fentiman IS, Clark GM, Wang DY, Needham J, Clark K, La Ville A, Lewis BEffect of tamoxifen on oestrogen binding, lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and blood clotting parameters in premenopausal women with breast painJ Endocrinol.(1988 Nov)
43.^Schellenberg R, Zimmermann C, Drewe J, Hoexter G, Zahner CDose-dependent efficacy of the Vitex agnus castus extract Ze 440 in patients suffering from premenstrual syndromePhytomedicine.(2012 Sep 27)
44.^Zamani M, Neghab N, Torabian STherapeutic effect of Vitex agnus castus in patients with premenstrual syndromeActa Med Iran.(2012)
45.^Atmaca M, Kumru S, Tezcan EFluoxetine versus Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorderHum Psychopharmacol.(2003 Apr)
46.^Treatment of premenstrual tension syndrome with Vitex agnus castus controlled, double-blind study versus pyridoxine.()
47.^Ma L, Lin S, Chen R, Zhang Y, Chen F, Wang XEvaluating therapeutic effect in symptoms of moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus (BNO 1095) in Chinese womenAust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol.(2010 Apr)
48.^Ma L, Lin S, Chen R, Wang XTreatment of moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus (BNO 1095) in Chinese womenGynecol Endocrinol.(2010 Aug)
49.^He Z, Chen R, Zhou Y, Geng L, Zhang Z, Chen S, Yao Y, Lu J, Lin STreatment for premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus: A prospective, randomized, multi-center placebo controlled study in ChinaMaturitas.(2009 May 20)
50.^Ambrosini A, Di Lorenzo C, Coppola G, Pierelli FUse of Vitex agnus-castus in migrainous women with premenstrual syndrome: an open-label clinical observationActa Neurol Belg.(2012 Jul 12)
51.^Smolinski D, Wollner D, Orlowski J, Curcio J, Nevels J, Kim LSA pilot study to examine a combination botanical for the treatment of menopausal symptomsJ Altern Complement Med.(2005 Jun)
52.^Newton KM, Reed SD, LaCroix AZ, Grothaus LC, Ehrlich K, Guiltinan JTreatment of vasomotor symptoms of menopause with black cohosh, multibotanicals, soy, hormone therapy, or placebo: a randomized trialAnn Intern Med.(2006 Dec 19)
53.^van Die MD, Burger HG, Bone KM, Cohen MM, Teede HJHypericum perforatum with Vitex agnus-castus in menopausal symptoms: a randomized, controlled trialMenopause.(2009 Jan-Feb)
54.^Vitex agnus castus essential oil and menopausal balance: a research update [Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery 8 (2003) 148-154.()
55.^van Die MD, Teede HJ, Bone KM, Reece JE, Burger HGPredictors of placebo response in a randomized, controlled trial of phytotherapy in menopauseMenopause.(2009 Jul-Aug)
57.^Schellenberg RTreatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled studyBMJ.(2001 Jan 20)
58.^Loch EG, Selle H, Boblitz NTreatment of premenstrual syndrome with a phytopharmaceutical formulation containing Vitex agnus castusJ Womens Health Gend Based Med.(2000 Apr)
59.^Dugoua JJ, Seely D, Perri D, Koren G, Mills ESafety and efficacy of chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) during pregnancy and lactationCan J Clin Pharmacol.(2008 Winter)
60.^Mesaik MA; Azizuddin, Murad S, Khan KM, Tareen RB, Ahmed A; Atta-ur-Rahman, Choudhary MIIsolation and immunomodulatory properties of a flavonoid, casticin from Vitex agnus-castusPhytother Res.(2009 Nov)
61.^Shen JK, Du HP, Yang M, Wang YG, Jin JCasticin induces leukemic cell death through apoptosis and mitotic catastropheAnn Hematol.(2009 Aug)
62.^Choudhary MI; Azizuddin, Jalil S, Nawaz SA, Khan KM, Tareen RB; Atta-ur-RahmanAntiinflammatory and lipoxygenase inhibitory compounds from Vitex agnus-castusPhytother Res.(2009 Sep)
63.^Liu J, Burdette JE, Sun Y, Deng S, Schlecht SM, Zheng W, Nikolic D, Mahady G, van Breemen RB, Fong HH, Pezzuto JM, Bolton JL, Farnsworth NRIsolation of linoleic acid as an estrogenic compound from the fruits of Vitex agnus-castus L. (chaste-berry)Phytomedicine.(2004 Jan)
64.^Liu J, Burdette JE, Xu H, Gu C, van Breemen RB, Bhat KP, Booth N, Constantinou AI, Pezzuto JM, Fong HH, Farnsworth NR, Bolton JLEvaluation of estrogenic activity of plant extracts for the potential treatment of menopausal symptomsJ Agric Food Chem.(2001 May)
65.^Nasri S, Oryan S, Rohani AH, Amin GRThe effects of Vitex agnus castus extract and its interaction with dopaminergic system on LH and testosterone in male micePak J Biol Sci.(2007 Jul 15)
66.^The Effects of Vitex agnus castus L. Extract on Gonadotrophines and Testosterone in Male Mice.()
67.^van Die MD, Bone KM, Burger HG, Reece JE, Teede HJEffects of a combination of Hypericum perforatum and Vitex agnus-castus on PMS-like symptoms in late-perimenopausal women: findings from a subpopulation analysisJ Altern Complement Med.(2009 Sep)
69.^Gallagher J, Lynch FW, Barragry JA prolactinoma masked by a herbal remedyEur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol.(2008 Apr)
70.^Momoeda M1, Sasaki H, Tagashira E, Ogishima M, Takano Y, Ochiai KEfficacy and safety of Vitex agnus-castus extract for treatment of premenstrual syndrome in Japanese patients: a prospective, open-label studyAdv Ther.(2014 Mar)
Primary Use