Chaste Tree Description - Some Great Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Chaste Tree

Taxonomic Class

Lamiaceae

Common Trade Names

Estrogentle (combination including chaste tree), Femaprin (premenopausal formula), VAC, Vitex

Common Forms

Available as capsules, tinctures, and teas. Source

Active components are extracted from the dried, ripened fruits and the root bark of Vitex agnus-castus.

Chemical Components

Several new luteolin-like flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, aucubin, eurostoside, agnuside, some triterpenoids, and an alkaloid, vitricine, have been isolated from the root bark. Both free and conjugated forms of progesterone and hydroxyprogesterone have been isolated from the leaves and flowers. Testosterone and epitestosterone were detected in the flower parts. Androstenedione was extracted from the leaves.

Essential oils contain monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, alpha­and beta-pinene, camphene, cardinene, carophyllene, castine, cineole, citronellol, cymene, eucalyptol, farnesene, ledol, limonene, linalool, myrcene, and sabinene.

Actions

The herb is claimed to have antiandrogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and progesterone-like effects. Recently isolated flavonoids exhibit antineoplastic activity , and studies with rats have shown a hypoprolactinemic effect. Dopaminergic activity has been attributed to the labdan diterpenoids found in the fruit .

Reported Uses

Claims for chaste tree include usefulness for several endocrine and female reproductive disorders and hormonal imbalance, including menstrual cycle irregularity, uterine bleeding, ovarian insufficiency, inadequate lactation, and acne. Human data supporting these claims are sparse. A German abstract described a study of women with latent hyperprolactinemia in which prolactin secretion was reduced and both the luteal phase and luteal secretion of progesterone normalized . Clinicians reporting a case of multiple follicular development without pregnancy in the face of deranged serum hormone levels and chaste tree consumption did not advocate the use of the herb to promote normal ovarian function .

Although one uncontrolled, open-label study suggested a role for chaste tree in premenstrual syndrome , more notable information comes from a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel­group trial conducted in Europe that evaluated V. agnus-castus extract for cyclic mastalgia. After a treatment phase that lasted for three consective menstrual cycles, intensity of mastalgia was reportedly reduced more rapidly in those who received the extract. Mastalgia during at least 5 days of the cycle was the only inclusion criterion. A visual analogue scale was used to measure response .

Dosage

Dosage used in the study by Halaska and colleagues was 20 mg in capsule form P.O. daily. Other dosages are usually teas or tinctures.

Adverse reactions

• CNS: headache.

• GI: abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea.

• GU: increased menstrual flow.

• Skin: pruritus, rash.

Interactions

None reported.

Contraindications And Precautions

Avoid using chaste tree in pregnant or breast-feeding patients; effects are unknown.

Special Considerations

Keep chaste tree's effects in mind if the patient reports increased menstrual flow.

Advise women to avoid using chaste tree during pregnancy or when breast-feeding or planning pregnancy.

Inform the patient that most of the information on chaste tree comes from foreign studies, which makes interpretation of results difficult.

Although no known chemical interactions have been reported in clinical studies, consideration must be given to the pharmacologic properties of the herbal product and the potential for exacerbation of the intended therapeutic effect of conventional drugs.

Points of Interest

A German formulation of chaste tree is indicated for menstrual disorders caused by primary or secondary corpus luteum insufficiency, inadequate lactation, mastodynia, menopausal symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome.

Postmarketing surveillance in Germany has determined that chaste tree has been discontinued because of adverse reactions only 1 % of the time.

Monks were said to have chewed the leaves of chaste tree to help them maintain their vow of celibacy.

Commentary

It may be worth investigating chaste tree further in disorders specific to women. The lack of data on long-term safety and clinical efficacy precludes conclusive recommendation

Herbal Medicines