Plant Profile

Chasteberry

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Vitex agnus-castus

Family: Lamiaceae · Parts used: Fruit (berry) · Also known as: Chaste tree, Monk's pepper, Agnus castus

Common names in 20 European languages →

The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 5 traditional / indicated uses, with 20 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Deciduous shrub or small tree with slender, aromatic, palmately compound leaves of narrow, lance-shaped leaflets, greyish-downy beneath. Small, fragrant, lilac to violet flowers are borne in long, slender terminal spikes, followed by small, dark, peppercorn-like berries with a peppery, aromatic taste.^[1]

Height: 2-6 m

Habit: Deciduous shrub or small tree

Leaves: Palmately compound, narrow lance-shaped leaflets, greyish-downy beneath, aromatic

Flowers: Small, fragrant, lilac to violet, in long slender terminal spikes

Stem: Slender, aromatic branches

Root: Woody root system

Fruit: Small, dark, peppercorn-like berry with a peppery, aromatic taste (the medicinal part)

Flowering Period: July-September

Habitat & Distribution

Native to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia, growing along riverbanks, streamsides and coastal scrub; widely cultivated in warm-temperate climates worldwide.^[1]

Harvesting

The ripe berries are collected in autumn once they have darkened and dried, then further dried and stored for use in decoctions or standardised extracts.

Parts: Fruit (berry)

Season: Autumn, when fruit is ripe

Key Constituents

Diterpenes (e.g. rotundifuran, clerodadienols)^{[9, 14]}

Bind dopamine D2 receptors in the pituitary, reducing prolactin release - the key mechanism.

Terpenes / terpenoids

Flavonoids (casticin, vitexin)^[1]

Antioxidant constituents of the fruit.

Flavonoids

Iridoid glycosides (agnuside, aucubin)^{[8, 10]}

Characteristic constituents used in standardisation.

Iridoid glycosidesGlycosides

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Acne^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

Cycle-related (hormonal) acne (traditional)

Evidence: 1

Label: Acne

more plants for acne →detailed sources →

Menopause^{[7, 11]}Good · 7/10

Evidence: 7

Label: Menopause

more plants for menopause →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^{[1, 5, 11]}Good · 8/10

Evidence: 8

Label: Menstrual cramps

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Pain (general)^{[1, 4, 5, 9, 17]}Strong · 9/10

Eases cyclical breast pain (mastalgia) and menstrual-cycle complaints including cramping. The proposed mechanism is dopaminergic suppression of latent hyperprolactinaemia.

Evidence: 9

Label: Pain (general)

more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →

PMS / premenstrual syndrome^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 14, 18, 19]}Strong · 10/10

Eases cyclical breast pain (mastalgia) and menstrual-cycle complaints including cramping; Relief of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms

Evidence: 10

Label: PMS / premenstrual syndrome

more plants for pms / premenstrual syndrome →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Chasteberry has a long Mediterranean tradition, reflected in its 'chaste tree' name, historically used to reduce libido in monastic settings, and, more centrally to its modern use, as a traditional women's tonic for menstrual irregularities, premenstrual complaints and cyclical breast tenderness; standardised extracts are now among the best-clinically-studied herbal remedies for premenstrual syndrome, acting via dopaminergic modulation of prolactin.^[1]

Preparations

Standardised extract^[1]

Dried fruit extract standardised to agnuside/casticin content, taken as tablets or capsules; the form used in most clinical PMS and cyclical breast pain trials.

Dosage

Standardised extract^[1]

Clinical trials for PMS commonly use extracts providing around 20-40 mg of dried fruit extract daily, taken over several menstrual cycles for full effect. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[8]Info

Reported adverse events are mild and reversible (nausea, headache, gastrointestinal upset, menstrual changes, acne, itching or rash).

Safety note^[8]Caution

Because it acts on dopamine and the hormonal axis, avoid alongside dopamine-antagonist (antipsychotic) or dopamine-agonist drugs and use caution with hormonal medicines (oral contraceptives, HRT) and hormone-sensitive conditions.

Safety note^{[8, 20]}Caution

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. A systematic review found only poor-grade evidence (theoretical, expert opinion and in vitro) suggesting oestrogenic, progesteronic, uterine-stimulant and emmenagogue activity, and expert opinion actively conflicts on whether chastetree increases or decreases lactation. The precaution rests on absence of safety data rather than on demonstrated harm.

Harvest Readiness

^{[15, 16]}

Part: fruit

Signals: Gather the peppercorn-sized globose drupes from the spike in autumn, once they have coloured on the tree., Take them slightly BEFORE full ripeness: ripe fruits drop and are lost in the soil, and early picking does not reduce quality.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The fruit is 3-4 mm, globose, and purple with a pungent flavor.

Independent Confirmation: Wikipedia (REF-3390) independently confirms the autumn ripening stage and adds the practical consequence for gathering: 'The fruits tend to fall from the plant as they ripen, getting lost in the soil,' and 'Consequently, to avoid yield loss, unripe fruits need to be harvested. This early harvesting has no effect on quality.'

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (REF-3389), which gives the fruit and a fruiting season of autumn - 'small, purple, globose drupes are present in the fall' - confirmed by Wikipedia (REF-3390) from an independent prism. Supersedes the earlier dead end (PFAF gave no fruit timing and noted seed may not ripen in cool climates). The chaste tree flowers late, so in cool-summer regions the fruit may never colour; where it does not, there is nothing to gather.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

van Die, M.D., Burger, H.G., Teede, H.J. and Bone, K.M (2012) 'Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trials', Planta Medica. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1327831 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1327831
Csupor, D., Lantos, T., Hegyi, P., Benko, R. and others (2019) 'Vitex agnus-castus in premenstrual syndrome: A meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 47, pp. 102190. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.08.024 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.08.024
Verkaik, S., Kamperman, A.M., van Westrhenen, R. and Schulte, P.F.J (2017) 'The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review and meta-analysis', American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 217(2), pp. 150-166. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.02.028 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2017.02.028
Ooi, S.L., Watts, S., McClean, R. and Pak, S.C (2020) 'Vitex Agnus-Castus for the Treatment of Cyclic Mastalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', Journal of Women's Health, 29(2), pp. 262-278. doi:10.1089/jwh.2019.7770 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2019.7770
Holler, M., Steindl, H., Abramov-Sommariva, D., Kleemann, J. and others (2024) 'Use of Vitex agnus-castus in patients with menstrual cycle disorders: a single-center retrospective longitudinal cohort study', Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 309(5), pp. 2089-2098. doi:10.1007/s00404-023-07363-4 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-023-07363-4
Cerqueira, R.O., Frey, B.N., Leclerc, E. and Brietzke, E (2017) 'Vitex agnus castus for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review', Archives of Women's Mental Health, 20(6), pp. 713-719. doi:10.1007/s00737-017-0791-0 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-017-0791-0
van Die, M.D., Burger, H.G., Teede, H.J. and Bone, K.M (2009) 'Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste-Tree/Berry) in the treatment of menopause-related complaints', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(8), pp. 853-862. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0447 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0447
Daniele, C., Thompson Coon, J., Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2005) 'Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review of adverse events', Drug Safety. doi:10.2165/00002018-200528040-00004 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2165/00002018-200528040-00004
Wuttke, W., Jarry, H., Christoffel, V., Spengler, B. and Seidlova-Wuttke, D (2003) 'Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) - pharmacology and clinical indications', Phytomedicine, 10(4), pp. 348-357. doi:10.1078/094471103322004866 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1078/094471103322004866
Kuruzum-Uz, A., Stroch, K., Demirezer, L.O. and Zeeck, A (2003) 'Glucosides from Vitex agnus-castus', Phytochemistry, 63(8), pp. 959-964. doi:10.1016/s0031-9422(03)00285-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9422(03)00285-1
Rani, A. and Sharma, A (2013) 'The genus Vitex: A review', Pharmacognosy Reviews, 7(14), pp. 188-198. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.120522 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.120522
Mollazadeh, S. and Mirghafourvand, M. and Abdollahi, N. G (2019) 'The effects of Vitex agnus-castus on menstrual bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 17(1). doi:10.1515/jcim-2018-0053 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2018-0053
Tha\c ci, S. and Krasniqi, B. and D\"ermaku-Sopjani, M. and Rifati-Nixha, A. and Abazi, S. and Sopjani, M (2022) 'Vasorelaxant effects of the Vitex agnus-castus extract', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022, pp. 7708781. doi:10.1155/2022/7708781 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7708781
Puglia, L.T., Lowry, J. and Tamagno, G (2023) 'Vitex agnus castus effects on hyperprolactinaemia', Frontiers in Endocrinology. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1269781 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1269781
North Carolina State Extension 'Vitex agnus-castus - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox'. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/vitex-agnus-castus/ Traditional / reference
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/vitex-agnus-castus/
Wikipedia contributors 'Vitex agnus-castus'. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitex_agnus-castus Traditional / reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitex_agnus-castus
Zeqiri, A. and Dermaku-Sopjani, M. and Sopjani, M (2022) 'The mechanisms underlying the role of Vitex agnus-castus in mastalgia', Bratislava Medical Journal, 123(12), pp. 913--918. doi:10.4149/BLL_2022_147 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4149/BLL_2022_147
Atmaca, M. and Kumru, S. and Tezcan, E (2003) 'Fluoxetine versus Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder', Human Psychopharmacology, 18(3), pp. 191--195. doi:10.1002/hup.470 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.470
Zamani, M. and Neghab, N. and Torabian, S (2012) 'Therapeutic effect of Vitex agnus castus in patients with premenstrual syndrome', Acta Medica Iranica, 50(2), pp. 101--106. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22359078/ Randomized trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22359078/
Dugoua, J.-J. and Seely, D. and Perri, D. and Koren, G. and Mills, E (2008) 'Safety and efficacy of chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) during pregnancy and lactation', Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 15(1), pp. e74--e79. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18204102/ Meta-analysis / review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18204102/

Selected studies & references

ReviewVitex Agnus-Castus for the Treatment of Cyclic Mastalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis source↗ (2020)

ReviewThe effects of Vitex agnus-castus on menstrual bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis source↗ (2019)

ReviewVitex agnus-castus in premenstrual syndrome: A meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials source↗ (2019)

ReviewThe treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review and meta-analysis source↗ (2017)

ReviewVitex agnus castus for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review source↗ (2017)

ReviewVitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trials source↗ (2012)

ReviewVitex agnus-castus (Chaste-Tree/Berry) in the treatment of menopause-related complaints source↗ (2009)

ReviewSafety and efficacy of chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) during pregnancy and lactation source↗ (2008)

All 18 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

← Explore plants by symptom

← Browse all plants