Botanical Name: Vitex agnus-castus

Part Used: Fresh berries

Ingredients: Fresh cultivated Vitex berries, organic cane alcohol.

Herb menstruum ratio: 1:2

Servings: 15-60 per 1 oz bottle.

Serving Size: 15-60 drops (0.5-2ml).

Suggested Use: Add 15-60 drops (0.5-2ml) to 1 ounce of water 2-3 times/day or as suggested by your healthcare practitioner.

About: Vitex berry (Vitex agnus-castus) tincture contains fresh Vitex berries cultivated with organic methods on our micro farm. They are carefully hand harvested in early autumn at their peak potency and tinctured fresh in organic cane alcohol.

Vitex is also known as Chaste tree or Monk’s pepper. It is a beautiful bush in the medicine garden with purple flowers that attract many pollinators. The fruits resemble peppercorns and are extremely aromatic; spicy, bitter and earthy with notes of pepper and yarrow. Vitex has a long tradition of medicinal use in western herbalism. It is perhaps most well known as a hormone balancing herb for women, strengthening the luteal or progesterone phase and restoring the estrogen to progesterone balance. It has affinity for women’s reproductive health and has so many virtues to support healthy hormone balance from menarche into motherhood and through menopause.

Vitex is thought to influence the pituitary gland, thereby influencing the production of hormones by increasing luteinizing hormone and mildly inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone. It may also reduce the pituitary gland’s secretion of prolactin, while increasing dopamine. With an affinity for reproductive hormones, chaste tree berry aids in supporting primary and secondary corpus luteum insufficiency, progesterone deficiency and estrogen-dominant conditions. Vitex can reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, decreasing the severity of mood swings, irritability, depression and anxiety. It can also support a normal menstrual cycle; potentially lengthening short cycles, organizing irregular cycles and consolidating lengthy cycles. It can support ovulation and promote fertility for women with low progesterone levels.

During perimenopause and menopause, vitex can ease numerous symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, dry vaginal mucosa, dizziness, anxiety and depression. Vitex should be taken consistently for a minimum of three to six months to experience optimal hormone balancing effects.