Archive for the 'Chasteberry' Category
Chasteberry has many healing purposes. It comes from a beautiful flowering tree with large cones of bluish-purple colors. The proper name for chasteberry is actually chastetree berry. The blooms resemble that of a butterfly bush. Vitex is an alternate name for this herb.
Chasteberry contains no hormones but it gives fast relief to hot flashes and mood irritability brought on by PMS (pre-menstural syndrome). It actually eases symptoms of PMS and also regulates menstruation. How does it regulate hormonal activity when it does not have any hormones in it? Chasteberry or vitex stimulates the pituitary gland to decrease production of prolactin (a hormone involved in milk production). Prolactin helps to ease breast tenderness and to reduce other symptoms of PMS.
Chasteberry also reduces the discomfort of fibrocystic breasts and decreases the symptoms of endometriosis. Chasteberry can induce ovulation also. Since chasteberry
is an antioxidant it has been found to reduce cholesterol levels in blood serum and it is effective in treating migraine headaches.
The recommended daily dosage is 400 to 500 mg. or 40 drops of tincture. It may take up to three months for full benefits to take effect. Chasteberry can be drank as a tea. Pregnant and nursing women should not take chasteberry. It is a wonderful herbal alternative for females.