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Chaste Tree Berry Balances the Reproductive System

By: Susannah Singer Chaste tree berry (also known as Vitex and by the trade name Femaprin) was at one time called Monk's pepper because of its supposed ability to decrease sexual drives. However, others have taken it to enhance sexual drives. How could it do both at the same time?

Though a shrub, chaste tree will grow up to twenty-two feet tall. It is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. It flourishes on moist riverbanks, but it can also be grown as an ornamental plant in American gardens. The beautiful blue-violet flowers blossom in midsummer. It is only used today for female problems.

The above seeming contradiction isn't the only one related to this herb. In history it has been used to inhibit excessive milk flow after birth, and to encourage it. It is used to treat post menopausal symptoms by some, and others say it exacerbates them. Some have used it to encourage conception, but others say that it does nothing for infertility.

How can this be explained? Chaste tree berry is what is called an adaptogen. This means it works to normalize hormone imbalance through its affect on the adrenal glands, in this case the pituitary. In other words, it restricts hormonal excesses and encourages deficiencies. Other examples of herb that are adaptogens would include ginseng, ginkgo, garlic, echinacea, goldenseal, and taheebo.

In order to balance the body hormones, chaste tree berry decreases the production of some hormones and increases the production of others. Some claim its success in treating infertility because it tends to shift the balance in favor of the gestagens which are hormones that condition the body for pregnancy.

Chaste tree berry encourages production of progesterone. This is why the herb is especially effective in balancing the female reproductive system. It is taken to help restore menstruation, to regulate heavy periods, and, as mentioned above, to restore fertility caused by hormonal imbalance. Some using it have found relief from PMS tension, and eased the changes during menopause. Premenstrual breast tenderness, linked to excess prolactin, is helped with chaste tree berry.

Chaste tree berry is also used, in tincture form, to relieve pains in the limbs, to relief pain of paralysis, and to treat neuropathic muscular weakness. Some even use them to treat acne. The berries can be ground and used as a substitute for black pepper, the flowers and leaves, with their spicy aroma, used in flavoring.

Take 20 to 40 mg of the herb as a normal daily dose; 20 drops of tincture one or two times a day is normal. One cup of the tea, or one capsule may also be used. Some take it shortly before bedtime and find it improves their sleep. Don't be impatient. Chaste tree berry is slow acting; it may take two or three months to evaluate its effectiveness.

Though not universally held, some say pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take chaste tree berry. A woman suffering from a hormone-sensitive cancer (e.g. uterus, breast, pituitary, etc.) should not take it. Nor should a woman taking hormone drugs such as oral contraceptives or menopausal hormone replacement therapies. Some react to it with an itchy allergic rash, some with mild nausea, and some with headaches. A few women have said that their cycle length changes.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

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