
Can agnus castus help with hormonal imbalance?
Vitex Agnus Castus is a plant that has been proven in studies to help women with their hormonal imbalance problems. It contains compounds that have an indirect influence on the pituitary gland and prompts the body to increase its production of progesterone hormones.
Does Vitex agnus castus work for menopause?
Whichever way women decide to have the Vitex Agnus Castus it is equally effective at helping women to combat their menopausal signs and symptoms. Menopause is a very difficult time for women. The side effects of menopause are many and varied and can all leave women struggling to cope.
Is agnus castus safe to eat?
Vitex agnus-castus, or chasteberry, may boost fertility and reduce symptoms of PMS and menopause. It may also repel certain insects. Most other uses are currently unsupported by science. It may cause stomach discomfort and other mild side effects, but it’s considered safe for most people.
Can Agnus help with peri-menopause?
Particularly in Peri-menopause, Agnus has become invaluable to many women that are not to keen to, or are unable to take synthetic hormonal support for balancing hormones, in order to relieve of associated symptoms and discomforts. Peri-menopause is defined as the time-period of up to 10 years prior to actual menopause.

What does agnus castus do for menopause?
Agnus Castus, restores the hormonal balance and helps to alleviate the discomfort associated with menopause in women. This fantastic herb contains compounds that send the pituitary gland a signal to increase luteinizing hormone production and decrease the amount of hormones being produced to stimulate follicle growth.
Is Vitex agnus-castus good for menopause?
Administration of Vitex agnus-castus extracts as a phytoestrogenic medicine can alleviate menopausal symptoms in women.
Is agnus castus good for hot flashes?
Vitex agnus-castus, aka chastetree berry or chasteberry, was traditionally used for premenstrual or perimenopausal problems. A small randomized controlled trial in Korea found that Vitex extracts alleviated hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms) and anxiety better than placebo (Korean Journal of Family Medicine, Nov. 2019).
Who should not take agnus castus?
The use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age is not recommended (see section 4.4 'Special warnings and precautions for use'). Hypersensitivity to Agnus castus or hypromellose. Patients with a pituitary disorder. Pregnancy or lactation.
How long does it take for agnus castus to work?
It needs to be taken every day of the month, and it can take up to 3 months to reach its full effect. However, if you think about it, that's only 3 cycles and fortunately, the majority of women notice improvements within 1-2!
What is agnus castus good for?
People use vitex agnus-castus for conditions related to the menstrual cycle such as breast pain and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It is also used for bone fractures, infertility, menopause symptoms, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
What natural herb is good for menopause?
The types of herbs used to manage menopausal symptoms include: black cohosh, dong quai, evening primrose, hops, Korean ginseng, linseed (flaxseed), red clover, St John's wort and wild yam.
How does agnus castus affect hormones?
Vitex agnus castus, also known as chaste tree, has traditionally been used as a treatment for hormonal imbalances in women. Through its action on the pituitary gland, chaste tree increases progesterone production via an increase in luteinizing hormone.
Does agnus castus help anxiety?
Conclusion: The results showed that both drugs reduced anxiety levels. This effect in vitex agnus castus is more than other groups. Since vitex agnus castus is used to treat some of the women's diseases, we can also use this herbal drug as an anti-anxiety drug and reduce chemically anti-anxiety drugs.
What are the symptoms of low estrogen?
Signs of low estrogen include:Dry skin.Tender breasts.Weak or brittle bones.Trouble concentrating.Moodiness and irritability.Vaginal dryness or atrophy.Hot flashes and night sweats.Irregular periods or no periods (amenorrhea).More items...•
When should I start Agnus castus?
It is generally recommended to take Agnus castus for 1 – 3 cycles to see results. It is recommended to take throughout the cycle, not just in the week before your period when you start experiencing PMS symptoms.
How long can you take Vitex for menopause?
In addition, a vitex supplement taken for at least three months has been proven to significantly ease the intensity and frequency of menopause symptoms.
Does vitex help with hot flashes?
Vitex is also recommended to ease hot flashes. Women's health experts have reported that patients taking a regular vitex supplement like Vitex Chasteberry Supplementfrom Intimate Rose have felt a significant decrease in the frequency, as well as the intensity, of hot flashes.
Does dong quai help hot flashes?
Treatment. Some women say dong quai relieves symptoms such as hot flashes. Researchers are not sure whether dong quai acts like estrogen or blocks estrogen in the body. Studies are conflicting, and one study found that dong quai did not help to relieve menopausal symptoms.
Does Maca help with hot flashes?
For years, Maca has been used successfully by native people of Peru for hormonal imbalances, menstrual irregularities, fertility, and menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and loss of energy, libido and depression (6).
Can you take evening primrose oil and Agnus castus together?
Yes, Agnus castus and evening primrose oil can be taken together, however, it may not be necessary to use two products for the same thing; you could try using one and see if this is enough for you?
What supplements can help with menopause?
This week I continue to look at popular supplements and herbs which can help you during the menopause. This time I take a look at Sage and Agnus castus and explain how these two herbs can help ease some of the most common symptoms of the menopause and peri-menopause.
What is Menoforce used for?
Now, we have a particular product called Menoforce ®, which is actually licensed for the symptom of hot flushes and night sweats during the menopause.
Can menopause make you cold?
It might get too cold. It might not even go on at all. And we know that during the menopause, the hypothalamus can get really stressed by all the different hormonal changes and the other changes that the body goes through at this particular time.
Does sage help with hot flushes?
And for those of you that grow sage either in a garden or in a pot on the windowsill, if the sun is shining really brightly, if you look closely at the leaves, sometimes you can actually see little beads of moisture. And this is an indication that sage can help with hot flushes and night sweats.
What does agnus castus do to hormones?
It’s not yet fully understood how agnus castus works, but it’s thought it has an impact on hormone-producing areas of the brain, such as the pituitary gland, which then leads to a reduction in prolactin, a hormone that may be involved in PMS.
What is agnus castus?
Agnus castus is a shrub that grows in Mediterranean countries and central Asia.
How long can you take agnus castus for?
You should not take it for more than three months without advice from your GP or a healthcare professional, or if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding. 21
When should you take vitex agnus castus supplements?
You can take agnus castus supplements in the morning or in the evening – it doesn’t really matter which. Just make sure you take it at roughly the same time every day for best results.
How long does agnus castus repel ticks?
One study found that an extract made from agnus castus seeds helped to repel mosquitos, ticks, flies and fleas for around 6 hours. 15
How many drops of agnus castus before period?
More recently, a 2012 study from Hamedan University of Medical Science in Iran looked at 128 women with symptoms of PMS, including breast tenderness and fullness, and gave them 40 drops of either agnus castus or a placebo for six days before their period. The women taking agnus castus reported significant improvements in breast tenderness and other symptoms. 10
Does agnus castus normalize progesterone?
As agnus castus can normalise progesterone levels, it can be helpful for women whose luteal phase – the second half of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation – is too short to maintain a pregnancy.
What is Vitex Agnus Castus?
Vitex agnus-castus is a popular herbal supplement used to treat a variety of health problems. It’s most commonly used to treat: It’s also touted as protection against insect bites and certain types of cancer and claimed to offer a variety of other health effects. However, not all benefits are backed by science.
What is the name of the fruit that is used to decrease men's libido?
Vitex agnus-castus is the most common vitex used medicinally. The Vitex agnus-castus fruit, also known as chasteberry or monk’s pepper, is about the size of a peppercorn. It’s produced by the chaste tree, which acquired its name because its fruit was likely used to decrease men’s libido during the Middle Ages ( 2. ).
How does vitex work?
Researchers believe that vitex works by decreasing levels of the hormone prolactin. This helps rebalance other hormones, including estrogen and progesterone — thus reducing PMS symptoms ( 4 ).
How many women get pregnant after a vitex?
After three months, women in the vitex group experienced an improved hormone balance — and 26 percent of them became pregnant. In comparison, only 10 percent of those in the placebo group became pregnant ( 20 ).
Is Vitex agnus castus a herbal remedy?
). In Turkish medicine, it’s also used as a digestive, antifungal and anti-anxiety aid ( 3. Trusted Source. ). Summary. Vitex agnus-castus is a plant frequently harvested as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments.
Is Vitex agnus castus backed by science?
It’s also touted as protection against insect bites and certain types of cancer and claimed to offer a variety of other health effects. However, not all benefits are backed by science. Here are the science-backed benefits — as well as some myths — associated with Vitex agnus-castus.
Does vitex help with hair growth?
Baldness prevention. The hormone-balancing effects of vitex are sometimes claimed to boost hair growth in men. However, no research can be found to support this claim.
How does agnus castus work?
Agnus castus works by gently supporting progesterone levels which means it is useful in instances of oestrogen dominance. Oestrogen dominance often gives rise to some ‘typical’ symptoms of PMS including heavy, painful periods, breast tenderness, irritability and mood swings – many of which the Agnus castus is licensed for.
How long after menopause can you take soy isoflavones?
Our Menopause Support containing soy isoflavones is often a suitable alternative. Then, if your symptoms persist post-menopause, that’s generally 1 -2 years after having your last ever period, neither Agnus castus or soy isoflavones would generally be recommended.
Why is my oestrogen low?
This can happen for a number of reasons, for example after coming off hormonal contraceptives (particularly progesterone-based methods), stress could be having an effect, or this is also quite common in the lead up to menopause as oestrogen levels start to drop off. In these situations, Agnus castus is ...
How to help wobbly hormones?
Managing tricky diet and lifestyle habits is often a good place to start during this time and can help to give wobbly hormones the support they need during those teenage years.
Is Agnus castus a female herb?
Although many people assume that Agnus castus is the ‘female’ or ‘women’s’ herb and is the go-to option for all female issues, this just isn’t the case. This remedy works by addressing a specific hormone imbalance, so contrary to belief; it may not be answer to all of your ladies’ problems!
Can you take Mirena with Agnus castus?
If you’re on the pill then unfortunately Agnus castus isn’t suitable. This goes for any hormonal contraception actually including the Mirena coil, and there are a few good reasons for this.
Can you take agnus castus under 18?
However, it isn’t suitable for under 18’s.
Why is Vitex Agnus Castus important?
Thus Vitex Agnus Castus for ovulation in very important due to the vital role that progesterone plays during ovulation. As a result of the essential role that progesterone hormones play in fertility and ovulation Vitex Chasteberry Tree is beneficial for women hoping to become pregnant.
How does Vitex Agnus Castus work?
Vitex Agnus Castus works because it contains compounds that interact with the Pituitary glands. These compounds cause the pituitary glands to increase their production of luitnizing hormones, and decrease the production of follicle stimulating hormones. This then has the indirect effect of causing the body to increase its production of progesterone hormones.
Why is chasteberry used for ovulation?
Vitex Chasteberry and ovulation are linked because ovulation also requires progesterone hormones, in order to: . Inform the uterus it is going to expect an egg, . To release the egg from the body if the egg is not fertilized, . And lastly low levels of progesterone hormones actually leave women unable to ovulate.
What is Vitex Chasteberry?
Vitex. Vitex Chasteberry Tree is a plant that grows in the warm Mediterranean regions. In these areas people have been eating Vitex Chasteberry for many years to help them with unpleasant hormonal imbalance symptoms. Drank as a tincture, eaten as a garnish, or taken as a tablet, Vitex Agnus Castus can be very beneficial to the system.
Why is Vitex called Agnus Castus?
The reason Vitex has different names is because it belongs to the Vitex plant group, which is why it is called Vitex Agnus Castus. However In the regions where it grows Vitex Chasteberry Tree berries were drank by local monks to help keep their libido levels lowered.
Does Vitex Agnus Castus increase progesterone?
This then indirectly results in an increase in the secretion of progesterone hormones from the pituitary glands.
Does Vitex help with headaches?
In fact Vitex Agnus Castus has been proven in scientific studies to have a measurable effect on the signs and symptoms of these hormonal imbalance problems. Furthermore Vitex Chasteberry tree is also beneficial to women's overall health levels, helping them to avoid headaches, nausea, and the common cold.
How does Vitex Agnus Castus work?
Vitex Agnus Castus works by increasing the number of progesterone hormones in the body. Vitex Chasteberry Tree contains compounds that have an influence on the pituitary glands. These compounds cause the pituitary glands to reduce their production of FS (Follicle stimulating) hormones and increase their production of L (luteinizing) hormones. This then causes the pituitary gland to produce more progesterone hormones.
What are the side effects of menopause?
For example here is a small selection of the menopausal physiological and psychological signs and symptoms that women may experience, such as: . Hot flashes, . Night sweats,
Is Vitex good for menopause?
Vitex for menopausal women has become more popular in recent years, with the increased interest in women taking natural supplements. Furthermore Vitex Agnus Castus has been particularly in demand because it has been proven in German studies to help women with their hormonal imbalance problems.
Can you drink Vitex Agnus Castus?
There are a variety of different ways that women can consume their Vitex Agnus Castus.: they can eat the top four inches of the stem, the berries, and the leaves, drink it like a juice, a tincture, or a cider, or take Vitex in a tablet capsule form. Whichever way women decide to have the Vitex Agnus Castus it is equally effective at helping women to combat their menopausal signs and symptoms.
