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Common Name Chasteberry
Latin Binomial Vitex agnus-castus L.
Family: Verbenaceae
Part Used Fruit
Pharmacopoeial & Other Monographs
Active Constituents
Herbal Use/Indication The German Commission E approved it for internal use for irregularities of the menstrual cycle, premenstrual complaints and mastodynia. (17)
Dosage Fruit: 0.5-1.0g 3 times per day (74) . Aqueous alcoholic extracts corresponding to 30-40mg per day of dried crushed fruits. (17)
Tincture: 1:5 (g/mL), 50-70% ethanol (v/v) 0.15-0.2mL. (18)
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Pharmacological Action There is conflicting evidence from in vitro studies regarding oestrogenic effects of chasteberry. At present there is insufficient evidence to support the use of Agnus castus products. (1) Extracts of Agnus castus act at dopamine receptors and affect prolactin release. (1) Preliminary uncontrolled clinical studies involving women with hyperprolactinemia and/or menstrual disorders have reported reductions in serum prolactin following treatment with certain Agnus castus preparations. (1)
Contra-Indications Drug-Interactions
Since Agnus castus has shown dopaminergic activity, this product should not be used with dopamine receptor agonists or antagonists. (1)
Pregnancy and lactation
Due to the lack of toxicity data, the use of Agnus castus during pregnancy should be avoided. Agnus castus has been reported to stimulate milk secretion without altering the composition of breast milk. (75)Use of this product should be avoided during lactation until more studies have been conducted.
Side Effects A limited amount of data are available describing the safety of Agnus castus, more studies are required.
However, the available evidence indicates that certain chasteberry preparations are well-tolerated when following the recommended dosing regimens. (1)
© 2013-2014 Guido F. Pauli.

AHP

American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium. Analytical, quality control and therpeutic monographs. Santa Cruz, California: American Herbal Pharmacopeoia, 1997-2005.

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BHP 1996

British Herbal Pharmcopoeia, 1996. Exeter: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1996.

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BP 2007

British Pharmacopoeia 2007. London: The Stationery Office, 2007.

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BHMA 2003

British Herbal Medicine Association. A Guide to Traditional Herbal Medicine's Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association Publishing, 2003.

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Complete German Commission E 1998

Blumenthal M et al., eds. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Austin, Texas: American Botanical Council, 1998.

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ESCOP 2003

European Scintific Co-operative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs. 2nd edition. Exeter, Stuttgart, New York: ESCOP, Georg Thieme Verlag, Thieme New York, 2003.

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Martindale 35th Edition

Martindale. The Complete Drug Reference, 35th edn. (Sweetman S, ed.) London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

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Ph Eu 2007

European Phamcopoeia, 5th edn, and Supplements 5.1-5.7. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2004-2007.

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Mills SY. The Dictionary fo Modern Herbalism. Wellingborough: Thorsons, 1985.

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Expanded German Commission E 1998

Blumenthal M et al., eds. Herbal Medicine. Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, Texas: American Botanical Council, 2000.

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson DJ. Herbal Medicines. Third edition. Grayslake, Il Phrmaceutical Press; 2007. 710p.

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Bruckner C. In mitteleuropagenutete heilpflanzen mit milchsekretionsfordernder wirkung (galactagoga). Gleditschia 1989; 17: 189-201.

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