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The whole vitex berry provides the full spectrum of beneficial vitex compounds shown to support female fertility.
Vitex agnus-castus, also known as Vitex, chasteberry, chaste-tree berry, and/or monk’s pepper, has been used for thousands of years by herbalists, midwives and natural healthcare practitioners to offer ease for their female clients in dealing with a myriad of hormonal issues including those that contribute to infertility. As far back as the 1500’s reports from herbalists have read, “the seeds and leaves are good against pain and inflammations of the uterus.”
Vitex supports overall hormone balance by stimulating the pituitary gland. This action and its many uses, is why we feel Vitex is the #1 female fertility herb. Read on to learn more about its applications for use for fertility…
Traditional and Modern Uses For Vitex:
1. Acne
Common/cystic acne thought to be hormonally induced, or caused by an over-secretion of estrogen (in both young men and women). Studies show the use of Vitex to reduce acne when combined with a clean, whole food diet.
2. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Clinical studies show relief of the following symptoms especially when they appear at the onset of menstruation.
- emotional upset and depression
- migraine headaches
- skin rashes, acne, allergies
- uterine and abdominal cramps, even muscle spasms
- swelling (edema) of the lower legs (when the legs feel puffy)
3. Menstrual Health
Supporting menstrual health is where Vitex shines. It is traditionally used to regulate the many menstrual cycle anomalies that present themselves which are often different from what is considered normal, or expected.
- absent period (primary and secondary amenorrhea)
- irregular/unusual menstruation as a result of improper function of the corpus luteum
- painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
- menstrual periods that are too close together (polymenorrhea)
- rarely-occurring menstrual period (oligomenorrhea)
- very weak menstrual period (hypomenorrhea)
- very long periods with heavy bleeding (menorrhagia)
- heavy menstrual flow that is consistent cycle to cycle (hypermenorrhea)
- abnormal spotting between periods
- Luteal-Phase Defect
- may help normalize the menstrual cycle, including ovulation, after stopping the use of estrogen-containing birth-control pills
4. Breast function
- milk production – Vitex is used historically to stimulate the amount of breast milk produced and the flow of breast milk after giving birth.
- painful, sensitive breasts with possible swelling as a result of PMS (mastalgia, or mastodynia)
- elevated prolactin levels associated with breast pain in the absence of pregnancy (hyperprolactinemia)
5. Pregnancy
German research shows Vitex may help prevent miscarriage (especially due to low progesterone levels) when used through the end of the third month of pregnancy.
6. Endometriosis
Vitex may help the body to correct irregular menstruation as a result of endometriosis or abnormal growth of the endometrial lining.
7. Uterine fibroids
Vitex may aid the body in reducing uterine fibroid growth in the smooth muscle or subserous layer of the uterus.
8. Menopause
According to German research, Vitex has shown to address the hormone imbalance at its source, the anterior pituitary, which causes many menopausal women to experience any number of symptoms that range from mood changes, even depression, to hot flashes, vaginal dryness, weight gain, fatigue, and possibly even joint and muscle pain.
Healthcare providers often suggest hormone replacement therapy along with synthetic hormones to help alleviate these symptoms, however, this approach has been found to be less effective than originally thought. While Vitex will not reverse the progression into menopause, it may help with the symptoms experienced in this stage of life.
In summary, historical, modern-day use, and scientific research on Vitex, shows the effectiveness of this herb on women experiencing reproductive health issues. Through our years of work with women who have reproductive health issues, we find that Vitex is a true gem of an herb. Vitex helps to improve the quality of a woman’s life through menstrual cycle and hormone system support, making it an invaluable tool that all women should know about!
- Hobbs, C., L.Ac., Vitex: The Women’s Herb, Healthy Living Publication, Summertown, Tennessee.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – Chasteberry. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chasteberry
- Rani, A. & Sharma, A., The genus Vitex: A review, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3841997/
- Gladstar, R. Herbal Healing for Women: Simple Home Remedies for Women of All Ages, Fireside, New York.
Elizabeth Willett is the Senior Herbalist with the Natural Fertility Company and head educator at NaturalFertilityInfo.com. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Holistic Health Studies with a specialization is herbalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN.
Hi! I’ve been taking vitex (3-400MG pills) for this past month. I am currently 16 DPO/CD 30 (my cycles are usually 26-28 days/15-16 luteal phase). I’ve read about vitex making periods extra long or how it can mess up your cycle. I think thats what happened to me. What do I do if my period remains absent? Do I keep taking to see if it will regulate over time or stop taking vitex?
Also, during this month I received 9 positive OPK’s. Earliest one at CD13. Wondering if that is part why my period is late.
Dear Tina,
If your luteal phase is regularly 15-16 days, there may be no need for concern! General suggested use of Vitex is 900-1000mg daily. So, first consider decreasing the daily dose. While Vitex can cause temporary cycle shifts as the body begins using the herbs and hormones begin adjusting, we know these to be rare and again, temporary. It is most beneficial to continue with consistent use of Vitex. Stay hydrated, eat well (lots of fiber), exercise and move regularly, and consider also fertility massage as a part of your natural fertility program.
Hello Hethir, thanks for sharing. Please is moringa good for fertility health? I would like to know if it is and if not, what kind of tea do I take? I am trying to conceive and I haven’t taken tea or coffee in 4 months because I was advised so by friends. But I crave tea seriously.
Thank you.
Dear Beth,
Thank you for reaching out to us!
Moringa appears to offer a variety of health benefits, but we do not have an article that covers it’s benefits for fertility health. We do have information about a variety of teas however. Consider learning more about Red Raspberry Leaf which is a wonderful infusion (strong tea), Conceptions Tea and Fertility Tea Blend Number One. There also a number of Nutritive Herbal Teas For Preconception Through Pregnancy.
I hope you find an herbal tea you enjoy!
hi,
thanks for all the information.
i am wondering if you need to take all these herbs or if you choose one or two which are most importatnt?
and also- what about dhea? if i take that do i need to take other supplements as well?
thanks
Dear Maya,
Not everyone needs all the herbs we discuss or share information about. The very best way to receive a full plan – including the best herbs, nutritional supplements and natural therapies – designed specifically for your fertility health needs is to participate in a Fertility Consultation.
Regarding DHEA, we feel it best to use this supplement under the supervision of your healthcare provider. The article DHEA and Your Natural Fertility will share more and why we suggest this. It alone not be all that is needed depending on the your individual fertility health needs.