The common name of this pretty herb is Chaste Tree, harking back to the Crusaders’ belief that it would crush their wives’ libidos whilst they were off crusading. Whether it actually achieved this effect is doubtful as it is now recognised as boosting female fertility and easing menstrual symptoms.

Agnus castus, the ‘Chaste Tree’ is actually not a tree at all but a shrub with violet flowers and fruit, containing volatile oils that create a peppermint-like scent. In modern times, Agnus castus has increasingly become recognised for its beneficial effect on female hormones, boosting the levels of luteinising hormone and therefore the production of progesterone. It may not seem important to have enough progesterone – oestrogen is the hormone most people are aware of and many women worry that lower oestrogen levels experienced in the menopause will bring them uncomfortable symptoms. It is, however, high oestrogen levels in the menstruating woman that we associate with symptoms such as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), breast tenderness, fluid retention, heavy, painful periods and many other miseries that women think are an inevitable part of their lot. Increasing progesterone levels can alleviate many of these symptoms, and there is research to prove this!

 

A trial published in the British Medical Journal in 2001 showed agnus castus to have a beneficial effect on PMS symptoms, ranging from anger and irritability to bloating and breast fullness. The herb was well tolerated and did not cause unwanted side effects. Another trial published in 2000, showed 42% of the 1,634 women involved reporting that they no longer suffered from PMS! Overall, 93% of the women on the trial reported that their PMS symptoms either disappeared or decreased. Interestingly, 23 of the women on the trial fell pregnant whilst taking Agnus castus, and 19 of them had previously had fertility problems. Seemingly, not only does agnus castus increase progesterone but it inhibits prolactin, high levels of which have been connected to infertility as this hormone stops ovulation. (See the Resources Page for a good herbal combination containing agnus castus called Agnus Castus Plus.)

 

Other uses of this interesting shrub are for teenage acne, for both boys and girls, and for the symptoms of PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome, a common hormone imbalance which can cause irregular periods, acne and facial hair. In fact it may be one of the most powerful herbs for PCOS because it works as an adaptogen, helping to balance hormones – lowering them when they are raised and decreasing them when they are low – which in turn can ease symptoms of PCOS.

 

And last, but by no means least, the hormone balancing properties of Agnus castus may also prove useful for easing symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes.

(Do not take agnus castus if you are any medication that has an effect on the female hormones e.g. the Pill or HRT.)

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 1st, 2009 at 1:50 am and is filed under Fertility, Herbs, PCOS, Periods and PMS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.