by Brittany Findlay, May 2nd 2024
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Discover the Potential Benefits of Chaste Tree

There are many natural options that may help support a woman’s hormonal changes during the premenstrual or menopausal stages. However, without a little guidance, it can be a confusing road to travel. With just a little education, though, it is easy to see just how Chaste tree may provide comprehensive support for reproductive health in women. 

What is Chaste Tree?  

Chaste tree or chasteberry plant (Vitex agnus-castus L) is an aromatic shrub native to Asia and the Mediterranean. Chaste tree, often called Vitex, belongs to the Verbenaceae family. This plant produces fragrant blue-purple flowers that yield fruit that produce small black berries (chasteberries) that resemble a peppercorn.1,2   

Throughout history, it is believed that the chasteberry was used by monks to prevent passionate desires, thereby earning the name of "chaste" (like chastity) tree or "monk's" pepper. For over 2,000 years, cultures have used chasteberries for their potential medicinal properties, hoping they would help alleviate symptoms of many conditions, including women's hormonal health and balance.   

Today, studies continue to examine this botanical, its efficacy and safety, and the role it may play in supporting women's hormonal health issues.   

Identifying Chaste Tree's Beneficial Phytonutrients  

Nature provides the most amazing botanicals, and the Chaste tree (Vitex) is one of them. The Chaste tree contains some naturally occurring components called phytonutrients, which may provide health benefits.  

Phytonutrients or phytochemicals are biologically active compounds in foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains that may benefit our health and well-being.3 These substances play a positive role in providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support.4 Specifically, a diverse group of phytocompounds, such as flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, and terpenoids, are found in the fruit (berries) and Chaste tree leaves.5  These berries are also sources of essential fatty acids like linoleic, an omega-6 fatty acid, and linolenic, an omega-3 fatty acid, two essential polyunsaturated fatty acids that can only be derived from dietary sources. Other essential fatty acids include palmitic and stearic acid. 

Women's Hormonal Support —Investigating Chaste Tree Benefits 

It is not unusual for many women to look for comfort and ways to effectively manage the symptoms that accompany the monthly challenges of premenstrual syndrome or PMS or menopause. Perhaps the changes in your emotions or mood, hot flashes, and disruption of sleep that menopause brings may be more of a concern for you.  

Well, whatever phase of life you are navigating, we understand that you may be looking for a natural way to help support you during these times. 

Let's first investigate how the benefits of Chaste tree may support you during Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). 

1. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) 

During your menstrual cycle, you may brace yourself for the days when you do not feel your best.  Perhaps you are constantly searching for ways that will promote comfort and seek to see how other women manage symptoms of PMS. Though there are many commonalities among women during this time, it is important to realize that many variables unique to each individual that also affect our cycle.  

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) brings about some clinically significant physical and psychological symptoms seen during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Fluctuations in your estrogen and progesterone hormone levels may be the reason why you might feel overwhelmed or experience bloating, breast tenderness, or cramping at this time. About 48% of women of reproductive age are affected with PMS worldwide, and among these women, about 20% of them experience mild to moderate symptoms that may affect their day to day.6  

Though there is evident complexity around PMS, some data supports supplementing with Chaste tree may decrease prolactin levels and balance estrogen and progesterone, supporting breast comfort and positive mood during menstrual cycles.7 However, we suggest you discuss all avenues with your healthcare practitioner to see what is right for you. 

2. Menopause 

Menopause occurs about one year after a woman's last menstrual cycle.8  It is another phase in a woman's reproductive journey where her health and well-being may be impacted by hormonal imbalance. 

Hormonal imbalance can cause an increase in body weight and may lead to obesity. This may impact blood pressure and healthy glucose metabolism, becoming a cause for concern regarding overall cardiometabolic health. Changes in hormonal levels, like the decrease in estrogen, may explain why some women experience hot flashes, night sweating, and a disruption in their circadian rhythm. Lack of sleep may compound irritability and increase mood swings.8     

With the dip in estrogen levels, women are also likely to see a decline in bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis.9  

Though many factors impact successful navigation through menopause and post-menopause, Chaste tree supplementation may help to level out estrogen and progesterone levels by naturally binding excess estrogen and correcting progesterone levels. It also may decrease prolactin secretion to improve dopamine levels and menopausal symptoms.10 

Key Take Aways 

It is essential to note that hormonal balance and management of a woman's reproductive health journey is contingent on numerous factors that require a comprehensive history and assessment by her healthcare practitioner (HCP).   

The benefits of Chaste tree or any other dietary supplement should be reviewed and discussed with her HCP to ensure safety, purity, potency, and efficacy of studies conducted. 

Chaste tree should not be used by pregnant or moms who are breastfeeding.  

We hope that you gained a greater understanding of the potential benefits of Chaste tree and feel empowered to take the following steps to proactively manage your health by discussing your health with your healthcare practitioner today! 

 

 

‡ The products and claims made about specific products on or through this Site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. 

‡ This Site is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Products, services, information, and other content provided on this Site, including information that may be provided on this Site directly or by linking to third-party websites, are provided for informational purposes only. Please consult accredited healthcare professional organizations, evidence-based herbal monographs, and published clinical research regarding any medical or health-related diagnosis or treatment options. 

 

References: 

  1. “Chasteberry.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health,2020, Chasteberry | NCCIH (nih.gov). Accessed 24 March 2024.  https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chasteberry
  2. "Chasteberry." Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 18 January 2022.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501807/
  3. Anthony, Kiera. "Phytonutrients." Healthline.com, 2019, Phytonutrients: Types, Food Sources, Antioxidants, and Other Benefits (healthline.com). Accessed 24 March 2024.  https://www.healthline.com/health/phytonutrients
  4. "Phytonutrients: What They Are and Where to Find Them." Cleveland Clinic.org, 2024,   What Are Phytonutrients? (clevelandclinic.org). Accessed 17 March 2024.  https://health.clevelandclinic.org/phytonutrients 
  5. Dietz, Birgit M et al. "Botanicals and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals for Women's Health." Pharmacological reviews vol. 68,4 (2016): 1026-1073. doi:10.1124/pr.115.010843. Accessed 27 March 2024.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5050441/ 
  6. Gudipally PR, Sharma GK. "Premenstrual Syndrome."  [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560698/. Accessed 27 March 2024.  
  7. Petre, Alina. "Vitex Agnus-Castus: Which Benefits of Chasteberry Are Backed by Science?" Healtlhline.com, 2023. Vitex Agnus-Castus (Chasteberry): Benefits, Side Effects, and Myths (healthline.com). Accessed 3 April 2024.  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitex
  8. .Kenda, Maša, et al. "Herbal Products Used in Menopause and for Gynecological Disorders." Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 26,24 7421. 8 Dec. 2021, doi:10.3390/molecules26247421. Accessed 3 April 204.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356905914_Herbal_Products_Used_in_Menopause_and_for_Gynecological_Disorders 
  9. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2011. Accessed 3 April 2024.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56061/ 
  10. Herdman, Rachel. Menopause is helped by Chaste Tree Berry | Pacific Center for Naturopathic Medicine (doctorherdmanclinic.com). Accessed 4 April 2024.  https://doctorherdmanclinic.com/resources/articles/womens-health/menopause-chaste-tree-berry/

 

Brittany Findlay is a writer with a background in technical writing and journalism, having written for DenverPost.com. Brittany is passionate about bringing comprehensive medical information to the masses so that they can make educated decisions about their health.