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Home >
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Supplement Articles
> Vitex |
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Supplement Articles |
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VITEX (CHASTE TREE BERRY)
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
Vitex is great for women
who experience infertility,
lack of breast milk and
discomforting PMS ... |
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vitex |
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A natural way to
ease PMS &
menopausal symptoms |
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Chaste tree received
its name from the
ancient Greeks and
Romans because they
believed that it
decreased the female
libido, thus
ensuring chastity.
It has been eaten
and worn by Monks to
promote celibacy.
Its modern medicinal
uses are also
related to sex
hormones. |
The
active ingredients of chaste
tree have been noted to
affect the pituitary gland.
This gland is located in the
brain and produces hormones
that stimulate the
production of sex hormones
in other areas of the body.
It also
contains chemicals
that have the
ability to stimulate
human progesterone
receptors and favour
the production of
luteinizing hormone
over follicle
stimulating
hormone. These
hormones are used in
the female body to
support pregnancy
and lactation, but
their effects can
also help other
female complaints.
Natural health
practitioners
recommended chaste
tree for conditions
such as PMS, acne
and menstrual
cramps; hot flashes,
vaginal dryness and
other menopausal
symptoms;
insufficient milk
production and first
trimester
miscarriages.
Chaste tree can be
purchased as a loose
herb, tincture or
encapsulated herb.
Better quality
supplements are
standardized which
is an assurance that
the product contains
chaste tree and has
some active
properties. The
berry contains the
greatest
concentration of
active
ingredients.
Although natural
health practitioners
sometimes recommend
it to pregnant
women, chaste tree
may induce
menstruation and
should be used
cautiously. It may
alter hormonal
cycles and
theoretically can
interfere with birth
control pills and
hormone replacement
therapy. It alters
dopamine levels and
may affect drugs for
seizures,
Parkinson’s and
mental disorders. |
Chaste Tree–
QUICK FACTS
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PARTS USED
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·
Leaves and
fruit. |
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APPLICATIONS |
·
PMS,
menopausal
symptoms,
lack of
breast milk,
infertility.
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OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
400mg daily,
standardized
to 0.5%
agnuside and
0.6% aucubin.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Primrose
oil, black
cohosh,
isoflavones,
fenugreek,
blessed
thistle. |
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products |
·
Do not use
chaste tree
if you are
pregnant or
taking oral
contraceptives.
·
Do not give
chaste tree
to children.
·
Chaste tree
is best
taken on an
empty
stomach, in
the morning. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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