Botanical Brief No. 54: Chaste Tree Berry

ROOTED WISDOM

Rooted Wisdom: Chaste Tree Berries, Vitex Agnus-Castus

Botanical Brief No. 54

• Native to the Mediterranean Basin and Western Asia, traditionally growing along riverbanks and coastal regions.

• The dried berry of a small deciduous tree in the Lamiaceae family, historically called monk’s pepper due to its bitter, peppery aroma.

• Used for over 2,000 years in Greek and Roman herbal traditions for female hormonal balance.

• Acts primarily on the pituitary gland rather than directly supplying hormones.

• Helps modulate prolactin levels, indirectly supporting progesterone balance.

• Commonly used to support menstrual regularity, cycle-related discomfort, and luteal phase balance.

• Studied for support in PMS, cyclic breast tenderness, and hormonally driven skin flare-ups.

• Not estrogenic, instead works upstream in the endocrine signaling pathway.

• Traditionally used in both female and male herbal medicine, though modern use is predominantly female-focused.

• Effects are cumulative and typically require consistent use over several weeks.

• Bitter compounds contribute to digestive stimulation and liver-supportive actions.

• Women experiencing PMS, irregular cycles, or hormonally influenced acne.

• Those with signs of estrogen dominance or low progesterone activity.

• Individuals seeking herbal hormone support without direct phytoestrogens.

• Long-term, gentle endocrine support rather than fast-acting symptom relief.

• Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding, using hormonal birth control, fertility drugs, or hormone replacement therapy without professional guidance, or if you have a pituitary disorder or sensitivity to dopaminergic herbs.

Chaste Tree Berry supports hormonal balance by working with the body’s own regulatory systems, offering steady, intelligent support rather than hormonal override.