Chasteberry Chaste Tree is one of the best herbs for balancing hormones, regulating menstrual cycles, and relieving symptoms of PMS. Chasteberry works on the pituitary gland, which is responsible for signaling the body to make the appropriate amounts of each hormone, therefore, it helps to bring balance at the core of the issue. It may take several weeks of use (6-12) to start to see its results.
Vitex Agnus-Castus, also commonly called Vitex, Chaste Tree, Chasteberry, Abraham's Balm, or Monk's Pepper Chasteberry, acts as a stimulate for the pituitary gland to produce more progesterone and less prolactin. It does not contain hormones, but only stimulates the pituitary gland.
Many women with menstrual cycle irregularities do not produce enough progesterone during the second phase of their menstrual cycle (luteal phase). This means that estrogen, the dominant female hormone in the first phase, continues to dominate in the second phase leading to a number of menstrual cycle abnormalities. It is also frequently found that women with these problems have a high concentration of prolactin. High levels of prolactin in the latter phases of the menstrual cycle lead to breast tenderness and are associated with infertility.
Chasteberry is useful in treating perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, in particular hot flushes, and menstrual irregularities such as flooding, clotting, and irregular cycle. Post-menopausal women who still feel cyclic mood swings can also benefit.
It is also hugely helpful in relieving PMS symptoms, especially headaches and mood swings
