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Chaste Tree - the Hormone Normaliser

Chaste Tree - the Hormone Normaliser

by Naomi Murray in Journal

Chaste tree, also referred to by its Latin name Vitex agnus-castus has been used  for centuries by herbalists due its hormone balancing properties.

It is favoured by herbalists the wold over and I have witnessed how it can make such a difference to women suffering from a hormonal imbalance.

Women suffering with symptoms of PMT, painful breasts, fibroids, fertility issues and hormone imbalance may find this herb wonderfully supportive.

Given its hormone-modulating effects, this herb has been historically used to address women's health concerns, namely those related to imbalances in oestrogen and progesterone levels.

Irregular periods

Menstrual irregularities from the typical menstrual cycle, include heavy, infrequent, absent and painful periods, often stemming from hormonal imbalances in oestrogen, progesterone, and prolactin.

In a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind study, women with luteal phase defects caused by hyperprolactinemia were administered 20 mg of vitex daily for three months. The results demonstrated reductions in serum prolactin levels, elongated luteal menstrual phases, and normalised serum progesterone levels by the end of the trial period.

Helps alleviate symptoms associated with PMT

Chaste tree extract is widely prescribed in the management of both physical and emotional symptoms associated with PMT. Symptoms can include mood swings, trouble sleeping, inability to concentrate, tiredness, acne, breast tenderness, irregular periods, headaches, and bloating. Several studies have provided evidence supporting the efficacy of Chaste tree in alleviating these symptoms.

In one study, participants were administered 20 mg of Vitex extract daily for three months. The results showed significant improvements in various PMT symptoms including irritability, mood swings, headaches, bloating, and breast fullness. Another study observed similar outcomes over three menstrual cycles in women experiencing moderate-to-severe PMT. Those taking Chaste tree extract showed a notable reduction in negative symptoms, water retention, food cravings, and pain compared to the placebo group by the end of the third cycle.

Fertility

Chaste tree has garnered attention as a potential natural remedy for enhancing fertility, especially in individuals with conditions such as luteal phase defect (LPD) that may be attributed to elevated prolactin levels. Through its ability to regulate prolactin levels and promote a balance between progesterone and oestrogen, Chaste tree has been investigated for its fertility-boosting properties.

In a randomised controlled trial involving 96 women with fertility disorders, those receiving an herbal formula containing Chaste tree twice daily for three months showed higher pregnancy rates compared to the placebo group. Notably, women with conditions like amenorrhea or LPD experienced more than double the rate of pregnancy in the treatment group compared to the placebo.

 

Menopause

Clinical research suggests that an eight-week regimen of Chaste tree improves anxiety and vasomotor dysfunction by 76% and 88%, respectively, in menopausal women. Many studies investigating the benefits of Chaste tree for managing menopausal symptoms involve combining it with other herbs. For instance, a study incorporating pre- and post-menopausal women administered an herbal formula containing various herbs, including American ginseng, black cohosh, dong quai, milk thistle, red clover,  and chaste tree berry for three months. Women taking part in the study reported significant reductions in hot flushes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances following the supplementation.

Study - Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study

Study - Systematic Review of Premenstrual, Postmenstrual and Infertility Disorders of Vitex Agnus Castus

Study - Comparison of Vitex agnus-castus Extracts with Placebo in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Double-Blind Study

Purchase Chaste tree tincture

Purchase Chaste tree capsules

Works well with Premtesse

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