College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Chastetree Berry (Vitex agnus-castus)

Balance your hormones. Also known as Vitex, Chaste Tree is a panacea for female reproductive issues.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

The spicy, warm, peppery berry stimulates libido in cold types. However, its bitter principle cools libido in hot types. For this reason, it was called monk's pepper, because it was used by monks to aid in their vow of chastity.

Chastetree (Vitex) is a hormone regulator that works by stimulating and normalizing the pituitary gland, which regulates the balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body. It increases both progesterone and estrogen, but is primarily progesteronic. This makes it a panacea for female issues of the reproductive system. Vitex is a slow-acting herb.

It is well know that breastfeeding suppresses fertility and menstruation due to high levels of prolactin. Some women, however, have high prolactin in the absence of breastfeeding. Chastetree's dopaminergic action reduces prolactin. This corrects prolactin-induced suppression of the uterus (Holmes, Bonhert, 1997).


Ayurveda Chastetree Berry Whole Plant Large

Metabolic Nature of Chastetree Berry

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

Other

Reproductive

REPRODUCTIVE

Reproductive tissue (Shukra/Artava Dhatu) includes male and female reproductive organs.

SEE ALL 'REPRODUCTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Chastetree Berry
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Analgesic

STRONG ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Dopaminergic

DOPAMINERGIC

Dopamine lifts mood, but also reduces prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and lutenizing hormone (LH).

SEE ALL 'DOPAMINERGIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Serotonergic

SEROTONERGIC

The feel-good hormone. Also includes serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).

SEE ALL 'SEROTONERGIC' FOODS / HERBS

Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Uterine Tonic

STRONG UTERINE-TONIC

An herb that tonifies and strengthens the uterus. Helpful for menstrual difficulties and fertility. Often herbs that increase ojas, but also circulation to reproductive system.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anti Estrogenic

ANTI-ESTROGENIC

Reduces estrogen, which reduces thickness of the uterus endometrium, pelvic congestive disorders like fibroids, and frequently dysmenorrhea as well.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anti Prolactin

ANTI-PROLACTIN

Reduces prolactin, a female hormone that suppresses the uterus, fertility, menstruation.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-PROLACTIN' FOODS / HERBS

,
Aphrodisiac

APHRODISIAC

Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.

SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Estrogenic

ESTROGENIC

Increases estrogen, helpful in menopause. Estrogen is anabolic and increases muscle growth, bone density, and moisture.

SEE ALL 'ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Progesteronic

PROGESTERONIC

Progeserone is the pregnancy hormone. It raises body temperature (Pitta), and suppresses menstruation. It is generally more extroverted.

SEE ALL 'PROGESTERONIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Promotes Fertility

PROMOTES-FERTILITY

An herb that promotes fertility. Generally used by women who wish to become pregnant. These herbs may also help with menstrual problems of deficiency, such as amenorrhea (lack of a period).

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-FERTILITY' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

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Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Other:

Foods with a Similar Nature to Chastetree Berry

  • Fennel Seeds

    Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Estrogenic, Digestive, Expectorant, Analgesic, Diuretic, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Expectorant, Digestive, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Diuretic, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Expectorant, Digestive, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Diuretic, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Diuretic, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cardamom

    Cardamom has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Nervine, Analgesic, Diuretic, Antispasmodic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Rose Petals

    Rose Petals has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Uterine-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Progesteronic, Estrogenic, Promotes-fertility

    LEARN MORE

  • Nutmeg

    Nutmeg has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant, Digestive, Nervine, Analgesic, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mint

    Mint has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Analgesic, Digestive, Anti-prolactin, Dopaminergic, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cloves

    Cloves has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Nervine, Analgesic, Digestive, Antispasmodic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Estrogenic, Digestive, Expectorant, Diuretic, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Diuretic, Aphrodisiac, Expectorant, Digestive, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Chastetree Berry

  • Black Cohosh

    Black Cohosh has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Promotes-fertility, Anti-estrogenic, Serotonergic, Antispasmodic, Uterine-tonic, Dopaminergic, Estrogenic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Progesteronic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Relieves-tension, Anti-prolactin, Uterine-tonic, Antispasmodic, Digestive, Estrogenic

    LEARN MORE

  • Gokshura

    Gokshura has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Promotes-fertility, Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Uterine-tonic, Antispasmodic, Aphrodisiac, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Motherwort

    Motherwort has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Dopaminergic, Estrogenic, Hemostatic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Aphrodisiac, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Progesteronic, Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Uterine-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • KapiKacchu

    KapiKacchu has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Aphrodisiac, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Promotes-fertility, Relieves-tension, Serotonergic

    LEARN MORE

  • Saw Palmetto

    Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Expectorant, Nervine, Progesteronic, Promotes-fertility, Uterine-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Pennyroyal

    Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Diuretic, Expectorant, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cramp Bark

    Cramp Bark has these Actions in Common

    Estrogenic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension, Uterine-tonic, Analgesic, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Partridge Berry

    Partridge Berry has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Nervine, Uterine-tonic, Analgesic, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1 dropper full 2-3x/day three times a day for at least three months and up to two years. or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Chastetree Berry may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Chastetree Berry may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Chastetree Berry. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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