Key Constituents

Diterpenes (e.g. rotundifuran, clerodadienols)^{[9, 11]}

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^[8]Good · 7/10

Cycle-related (hormonal) acne (traditional)

more plants for acne →detailed sources →

Menopause^[7]Good · 7/10

more plants for menopause →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^{[1, 5]}Good · 8/10

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Pain (general)^{[1, 4, 5, 9, 11]}Strong · 10/10

Eases cyclical breast pain (mastalgia) and menstrual-cycle complaints including cramping

more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →

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

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

more plants for pms / premenstrual syndrome →detailed sources →

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]Caution

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

References

REF-0433, REF-1607, REF-1608, REF-1609, REF-1610, REF-1611, REF-1612, REF-0434, REF-1613, REF-1614

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
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

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