Chasteberry (agnolyt, agnus castus, chaste tree, hemp tree, monks pepper, vitex agnus castus)
Classes: Women's Health, Herbals
Suggested dosing of agnolyt, agnus castus (chasteberry)
Crude herb extract
20-240 mg/d div BID-TID PO
Fluid extract
40 gtt/d PO
Dried fruit extract
1.6-3 mg PO BId
Tincture
35-45 gtt PO TId
Other Information
PMS: 4-20 mg/d
PMDD: 20-40 mg/d
No more than 1800 mg/d
Suggested uses of agnolyt, agnus castus (chasteberry)
Acne, benign prostatic hyperplasia, fibrocystic breast disease, impotence, infertility (female), lactation, menopausal symptoms, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome, progesterone insufficiency
Efficacy
RCT (BMJ 2001;322:134-137) demonstrated benefit vs. placebo
Possibly effective for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
agnolyt, agnus castus (chasteberry) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Acne
Agitation
Allergic reactions
Alopecia
Dry mouth
GI upset
Headache
Intramenstrual bleeding
Itching
Menstrual flow changes
Nausea
Rash
Tachycardia
Tiredness
Urticaria
Warnings
Contraindications
Breast cancer, endometriosis, hormone sensitive conditions, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, uterine fibroids
Cautions
In vitro fertilization
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: unsafe
Lactation: unsafe
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of agnolyt, agnus castus (chasteberry)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
Increase progesterone:estrogen ratio by decreasing FSH release
