Chaste tree berry (also known as Vitex and by he 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?

Chaste tree is a large shrub (up to twenty-two feet tall) native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe. Although it flourishes on moist riverbanks, it is easily grown as an ornamental plant in American gardens, where its pretty blue-violet flowers blossom in midsummer. Today it is almost exclusively used for female problems.

That it could bring about opposite responses is not limited to sex drives. Chaste berry has been used to inhibit excessive milk in nursing mothers and to encourage lactation. It magnifies post menopausal problems and solves them. It both hinders conception and helps overcome 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.

To accomplish this balancing act for the body, chaste tree berry increases the production of certain hormones which reducing the production of others. In this way it may help overcome infertility by shifting the body’s hormonal balance in favor of the gestagens which are used by the body to condition it for pregnancy.

Because it encourages production of progesterone, the herb is especially effective in balancing the female reproductive system. This has helped restore menstruation, regulate heavy periods, and restore fertility which is caused by hormonal imbalance. It has also relieved PMS tension and eased the changes of menopause. Some believe it is helpful for premenstrual breast tenderness, a condition linked to excess prolactin.

A tincture of the berries has also been used externally for the relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, and neuropathic muscular weakness. Chaste berries benefit the treatment of acne in both men and women. The berries can be used as a mild substitute for black pepper, and may even be ground in a pepper mill. The leaves and flowers are used for flavoring and have a spicy aroma.

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.

Warnings are in order but are not universally agreed upon. Some say pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take chaste tree berry. If a woman has a hormone-sensitive cancer (e.g. pituitary, breast, uterus, etc.) it might be best to avoid it. Chaste tree berry should be avoided if you are taking exogenous hormones such as menopausal hormone replacement therapies or oral contraceptives. Some rare adverse reactions include itchy allergic rash, mild nausea, or headaches. Some women have reported that the length of their cycle changed.