Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex agnus-castus L.)
Chaste Tree Berry Benefits at a Glance:
- Supports balanced hormone levels, particularly progesterone
- Encourages a regular menstrual cycle
- Helps minimize discomforts linked to hormone imbalance
- Aids fertility
- Promotes skin health
Chaste tree berry, also known as Vitex agnus-castus, is particularly beneficial for women’s hormonal health because it influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which is critical for hormonal balance. It’s used to help manage PMS symptoms like headaches, breast tenderness, irritability, and acne.
Chaste tree berries contain compounds that can help reduce elevated prolactin levels, which can cause irregular or non-existent menstrual cycles. It may also help balance estrogen-to-progesterone ratio to prevent estrogen dominance, which can result at any life stage, but especially after taking hormonal birth control.
Why It’s Included
The hormone-modulating effects of chaste tree berry can help ease the discomfort that stems from hormonal fluctuations during PMS, menopause, perimenopause, and after discontinuing the use of birth control. Its ability to help produce progesterone makes it one of the most supportive herbs for fertility and having a regular menstrual cycle post-birth control.