Vitex agnus-castus

Vitex agnus-castus
General form of a blossoming adult Vitex agnus-castus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Verbenaceae
Genus: Vitex
Species: V. agnus-castus
Binomial name
Vitex agnus-castus
L.

Vitex agnus-castus, also called vitex, chaste tree, chasteberry, Abraham's balm,[1] lilac chastetree,[2] or monk's pepper, is a native of the Mediterranean region. It is one of the few temperate-zone species of Vitex, which is on the whole a genus of tropical and sub-tropical flowering plants.[3] Theophrastus mentioned the shrub several times, as agnos (άγνος) in Enquiry into Plants.[4] Vitex, its name in Pliny the Elder, is derived from the Latin vieo, meaning to weave or to tie up, a reference to the use of Vitex agnus-castus in basketry.[5] Its macaronic specific name repeats "chaste" in both Greek and Latin, and considered to be sacred to the goddess Hestia/Vesta.

Confusion with Vitex on the part of early settlers in the West Indies may have given to Ricinus communis the name "Castor-oil plant".[6] Or the name "castor oil" might have come from its use as a replacement for castoreum.[7]

It has been long believed to be an anaphrodisiac but its effectiveness remains controversial.

Cultivation

Vitex agnus-castus is widely cultivated in warm temperate and subtropical regions for its delicate-textured aromatic foliage and butterfly attracting[8] spikes of lavender flowers in late summer in cooler climates. It grows to a height of 1–5 meters. It requires full sun or partial shade along with well-drained soil. Under ideal conditions it is hardy to USDA Zone 7, on the south shore of Long Island and Nantucket on the East Coast of North America and in the southwest of England.[9]

Chemical analysis

Flavonoids (vitexin, casticin), agnuside, p-hydroxybenzoic acid,[10] alkaloids, diterpenoids and steroidal hormone precursors have been identified in the chemical analysis of Vitex agnus-castus.[11]

Herbal uses

Vitex, also a traditional plant in Africa, is a little-known fruit plant that has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[12]

The leaves and tender stem growth of the upper 10 cm (3.9 in), along with the flowers and ripening seeds, are harvested for alternative medicinal purposes. The berries are harvested by gently rubbing the berries loose from the stem. The leaves, flowers, and/or berries may be consumed as a decoction, traditional tincture, cider vinegar tincture, syrup, elixir, or simply eaten straight off the plant as an alternative medicinal food.[13] A popular way of taking Vitex is on awakening as a simple 1:1 fluid extract, which is said to interact with hormonal circadian rhythms most effectively.[14]

In alternative medicine, it is believed the berries are a tonic herb for both the male and female reproductive systems. The leaves are believed to have the same effect but to a lesser degree.[13][14]

In ancient times it was believed to be an anaphrodisiac, hence the name chaste tree. Pliny, in his Historia Naturalis, reports the use of stems and leaves of this plant by women as bedding "to cool the heat of lust" during the time of the Thesmophoria, when Athenian women left their husbands' beds to remain ritually chaste. At the end of the thirteenth century John Trevisa reports of it "the herbe agnus-castus is always grene, and the flowre therof is namly callyd Agnus Castus, for wyth smel and vse it maketh men chaste as a lombe".[15] Chaucer, in "The Flower and the Leaf," refers to it as an attribute of the chaste Diana, and in the 16th century the English herbalist William Turner reports the same anaphrodisiac properties of the seed, both fried and not fried. More recently, this plant has been called monk's pepper in the thought that it was used as anti-libido medicine by monks to aid their attempts to remain chaste. There are disputed accounts regarding its actual action on libido, with some claims that it is anaphrodisiac and others that it is aphrodisiac. Because of the complex mechanism of action it can be probably both, depending on concentration of the extract and physiologic variables (see below).

According to the Mayo Clinic’s ‘Book of Alternative Medicine’, 2010, second edition, ch.3 pg. 51: under ‘Chasteberry’ it says: “There’s no evidence it reduces sexual desire.” {sic}

Medical use

Close up of vitex-agnus-castus-flowers with carpenter bee (Xylocopa sp.)

Clinical studies have demonstrated effectivness of standardised and controlled medications produced from extract of the plant in the management of premenstrual stress syndrome (PMS),[16][17][18] and cyclical breast pain (mastalgia).[19] The medication is recommended in Germany.[20][21]

Mechanism of action

It is believed that some of the compounds found in the plant work on the pituitary gland which would explain its effects on hormonal levels. A study has shown that extracts of the fruit of VAC can bind to opiate receptors; this could explain why intake of VAC reduces PMS discomforts.[22]

The mechanism of action is not fully understood[23] but it is assumed that it has dopaminergic effects resulting in changes of prolactin secretion. At low doses, such as might have been used in previous centuries for suppression of sexual desire, it inhibits activation of dopamine 2 receptor by competitive binding, causing a slight increase in release of prolactin. In higher concentrations, as in modern extracts, the binding activity is sufficient to reduce the release of prolactin. A study has found that treatment of 20 healthy men with higher doses of Vitex agnus-castus was associated with a slight reduction of prolactin levels, whereas lower doses caused a slight increase as compared to doses of placebo.[11] A decrease of prolactin will influence levels of Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen in women ; and testosterone in men . Dopaminergic compounds (diterpenes with prolactin-suppressive effects that were almost identical in their prolactin-suppressive properties than dopamine itself) present in Vitex agnus castus seem likely to be the clinically important compounds which improve premenstrual mastodynia and possibly also psycho-somatic symptoms of PMS.[24]

Current uses

Vitex agnus-castus is used to alleviate symptoms of various gynecological problems. All evidence is limited to standardised controlled extracts such as used in Germany, different extracts or herbal mixes may have significantly different properties and safety issues. Some of the modern uses include premenstrual syndrome, abnormal uterine bleeding disorders and mastodynia.

Good evidence and safety exists for these uses:[20]

No specific clinical studies but use partially supported by clinical evidence on symptoms and mechanism of action:

Emerging uses (with very early evidence):

Contraindications

It is recommended that Vitex agnus-castus be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility of complications.[20][32]

Other uses

Historical uses, uses outside the scope of medicine.

References

  1. ↑ New English Dictionary, s.v. "Chaste-tree".
  2. ↑ "Vitex agnus-castus". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  3. ↑ David J. Mabberley. 2008. Mabberley's Plant-Book third edition (2008). Cambridge University Press: UK.
  4. ↑ Pliny reports that some Greeks called it lygos, others agnos.
  5. ↑ Umberto Quattrocchi. 2000. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names volume I, page 91. CRC Press: Boca Raton; New York; Washington,DC;, USA. London, UK. ISBN 978-0-8493-2673-8 (set).
  6. ↑ Coats (1964) 1992.
  7. ↑ http://www.billcasselman.com/cwod_archive/beaver_castor_two.htm
  8. ↑ Soule, J.A. 2012. Butterfly Gardening in Southern Arizona. Tierra del Soule Press, Tucson, AZ
  9. ↑ United States Department of Agriculture. "Vitex Agnus-Castus Profile". Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  10. ↑ Hoberg, Eva; Meier, Beat; Sticher, Otto (2000). "An analytical high performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of agnuside and p-hydroxybenzoic acid contents in Agni-casti fructus". Phytochemical Analysis 11 (5): 327–329. doi:10.1002/1099-1565(200009/10)11:5<327::AID-PCA523>3.0.CO;2-0.
  11. 1 2 3 Hajdú, Zsuzsanna; Judit Hohmann; Peter Forgo; Tamás Martinek; Máté Dervarics; István Zupkó; György Falkay; Daniel Cossuta; Imre Máthé. "Diterpenoids and flavonoids from the fruits of Vitex agnus-castus and antioxidant activity of the fruit extracts and their constituents". Wiley InterScience. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
  12. ↑ National Research Council (2008-01-25). "Chocolate Berries". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits. Lost Crops of Africa 3. National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-10596-5. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  13. 1 2 Hartung, T., 2000. Growing 101 Herbs That Heal. Storey Books. ISBN 1-58017-215-6
  14. 1 2 Chevallier, A., 2000. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0-7894-6783-6
  15. ↑ Trevisa, quoted in The New English Dictionary; the misconnection of agnus, for agnos with agnus "lamb" is misleading: "it has nothing to do with the Latin agnus, a lamb," Alice M. Coats notes (Coats, Garden Shrubs and Their Histories [1964] 1992, s.v. "Vitex").
  16. 1 2 Wuttke, W; Jarry H; Christoffel V; Spengler B; Seidlová-Wuttke D. (May 2003). "Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)--pharmacology and clinical indications". Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 10 (4): 348–57. doi:10.1078/094471103322004866. PMID 12809367.
  17. 1 2 Schellenberg, R. (20 January 2001). "Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study". British Medical Journal 322 (7279): 134–7. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7279.134. PMC 26589. PMID 11159568.
  18. 1 2 Berger, D; Schaffner W; Schrader E; Meier B; Brattström A (November 2000). "Efficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)". Arch Gynecol Obstet. 264 (3): 150–3. doi:10.1007/s004040000123. PMID 11129515.
  19. 1 2 Carmichael, A. R. (2008). "Can Vitex Agnus Castus be Used for the Treatment of Mastalgia? What is the Current Evidence?". Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM 5 (3): 247–250. doi:10.1093/ecam/nem074. PMC 2529385. PMID 18830450.
  20. 1 2 3 Daniele, C.; Thompson Coon J, Pittler MH, Ernst E. (2005). "Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review of adverse events". Drug Safety 28 (4): 319–32. doi:10.2165/00002018-200528040-00004. PMID 15783241. Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)
  21. ↑ Axel Valet; Kay Goerke; Joachim Steller (2003). Klinikleitfaden Gynäkologie Geburtshilfe. Untersuchung. Diagnostik. Therapie. Notfall. Urban & Fischer. ISBN 3-437-22211-2.
  22. ↑ Webster, D.E.; J. Lu, S.-N. Chen, N.R. Farnsworth and Z. Jim Wang (2006). "Activation of the μ-opiate receptor by Vitex agnus-castus methanol extracts: Implication for its use in PMS". Journal of Ethnopharmacology 106 (2): 216–221. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.12.025. PMID 16439081. Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)
  23. ↑ "Opioidergic mechanisms underlying the actions of Vitex agnus-castus L.", Biochemical Pharmacology. 2011 Jan 1;81(1):170-7 Authors: Webster DE, He Y, Chen SN, Pauli GF, Farnsworth NR, Wang ZJ
  24. ↑ Wuttke, W; et al. (May 2003). "Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)--pharmacology and clinical indications". Phytomedicine 10 (4): 348–57. doi:10.1078/094471103322004866. PMID 12809367.
  25. 1 2 Cunningham, J.; Yonkers, K. A.; O'Brien, S.; Eriksson, E. (2009). "Update on Research and Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder". Harvard Review of Psychiatry 17 (2): 120–137. doi:10.1080/10673220902891836. PMC 3098121. PMID 19373620.
  26. ↑ Kilicdag, E.; Tarim, E.; Bagis, T.; Erkanli, S.; Aslan, E.; Ozsahin, K.; Kuscu, E. (2004). "Fructus agni casti and bromocriptine for treatment of hyperprolactinemia and mastalgia". International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 85 (3): 292–293. doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2004.01.001. PMID 15145274.
  27. ↑ Weisskopf, M.; Schaffner, W.; Jundt, G.; Sulser, T.; Wyler, S.; Tullberg-Reinert, H. (2005). "A Vitex agnus-castus extract inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in prostate epithelial cell lines". Planta Medica 71 (10): 910–916. doi:10.1055/s-2005-871235.
  28. ↑ Adelson, K.B.; Loprinzi, C.L.; Hershman, D.L. (2005). "Treatment of hot flushes in breast and prostate cancer". Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 6 (7): 1095–1106. doi:10.1517/14656566.6.7.1095.
  29. ↑ Ambrosius, F (2006). "New indication for Vitex agnus-castus extract?". Zeitschrift fur Phytotherapie 27 (2): 95.
  30. ↑ Goetz, P (2009). "Phytotherapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia". Phytotherapie 7 (5): 275–278.
  31. ↑ Ambrosini, Anna; et al. (2013). "Use of Vitex agnus-castus in migrainous women with premenstrual syndrome: an open-label clinical observation". Acta Neurologica Belgica 113 (1): 25–29. doi:10.1007/s13760-012-0111-4.
  32. ↑ "Chaste Tree". Drugs.com. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
  33. ↑ Roemheld-Hamm, B. (1 September 2005). "Chasteberry". Am Fam Physician 72 (5): 821–4. PMID 16156340.
  34. ↑ Azadbakht, M.; Baheddini, A.; Shorideh, S.M.; Naserzadeh, A. (2005). "Effect of Vitex agnus - Castus L. leaf and fruit flavonoidal extracts on serum prolactin concentration". Journal of Medicinal Plants 4 (16): 56–61.
  35. ↑ Mehlhorn, H.; Schmahl,-G; Schmidt,-J (2005). "Extract of the seeds of the plant Vitex agnus castus proven to be highly efficacious as a repellent against ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and biting flies". Parasitol-Res. 95 (5): 363–5. doi:10.1007/s00436-004-1297-z. PMID 15682335.

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