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Health benefits of Chaste tree (Vitex)

Health benefits of Chaste tree

Chaste Tree Quick Facts
Name: Chaste Tree
Scientific Name: Vitex negundo
Origin Native to tropical Eastern and Southern Africa and Asia.
Colors Green when young turning to black or purple when ripe
Shapes Succulent drupe, 4 mm (0.16 in) in diameter, rounded to egg-shaped.
Health benefits Helps In Easing Painful Conditions Affecting Nervous System, Beneficial For Your Circulatory System, Good for Your Respiratory System, Useful for Assorted Digestive System Disorders, Cure For Inflammatory Health Conditions, Aids in Hair Growth, Lowers Menopause Symptoms, Clears Up Acne, May Promote Lactation, Treats Enlarged Prostate, Reduces Uterine Fibroids, Remedies Amenorrhea, Improves Female Fertility, Treatment for Endometriosis, Relieves PMS Symptoms
Vitex negundo, commonly known as the Vitex, Chinese chaste tree, five-leaved chaste tree, Huang Ping, horseshoe Vitex, is an erect shrub or small tree with quadrangular, densely whitish, tomentose branchlets and smooth, thin, reddish brown bark. It is widely used in folk medicine, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. Native to tropical Eastern and Southern Africa and Asia, but it can be found in areas with temperate and subtropical climate around the world today. Chaste tree quickly grows into a multi-trunked tree about 2 to 8 m (6.6 to 26.2 ft.) tall and wide with a broad, spreading habit. Despite many medical properties of this plant, it is mostly grown in ornamental purposes today.

Name “chaste tree” refers to the fact that this plant consists of substances that decrease libido (person who consumes chaste berry stays “chaste”). Chaste tree is also known as “monk’s pepper” because of the frequent usage of chaste berry in the control of sexual desire in the monasteries in the past. Based on flower types, there are two varieties of this plant – blue and white flowered. Blue flowered plant is called nirgundi (Vitex negundo), but the white flowered plant is called siduwar (Vitex trifolia).

Appearance

Chaste trees, which are considered shrubs or small trees, grow 15 to 20 feet tall with a spread of 10 to 15 feet.  The plant need full sun and very well-drained soil. It’s best not to plant them in soil that is rich in organic matter because organically rich soils hold too much moisture close to the roots. Chaste trees do very well in xeric gardens where water is scarce. It is a multi-branch bushy plant covered with very fine hairs. The bark of stem is smooth, thin, reddish brown becoming blocky on older stems and quadrangular, densely whitish, tomentose branchlets.

Leaves are opposite, palmately compound, 2 to 6 inches across, usually five leaflets per leaf (3-7), leaflets ovate, obovate or lanceolate with entire or toothed margins, light green above and pale pubescent below, very aromatic when crushed. Numerous flowers are borne in panicles 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) in length. Each is around 6 to 7 cm (2.4 to 2.8 in) long and is white to blue in color. The petals are of different lengths, with the middle lower lobe being the longest. Both the corolla and calyx are covered in dense hairs.

Fruit is succulent drupe, 4 mm (0.16 in) in diameter and is rounded to egg-shaped. They are green when young turning to black or purple when ripe. The fruit consists of small seeds that are 5–6 mm in diameter. Chaste tree is perennial plant with a lifespan of 15 to 40 years (depending on the climate).

History

Chaste tree species are native to the warm regions of the Old World. Vitex negundo grows naturally from the Mediterranean Sea eastward to central Asia. The leaves are composed of five to seven radiating leaflets. Vitex negundo, the five leaved chaste tree is colder hardy than the Agnus species. Vitex mainly occurs in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar (in Africa), and in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam (in Asia). It is also found in similar habitats along the seashore throughout Mauritius, Japan and southward through Malaya to tropical Australia and Polynesia.

Health Benefits of Chaste tree

The roots, fruits, flowers, leaves and bark of chaste tree have great medicinal value and are used for medicinal purpose externally as well as internally. Externally, chaste tree decoction is used for steam bath for arthritis, joint pains and sciatica. Particularly, chaste tree is very effective in alleviating the low back pain. The dried leaves when smoked are said to relieve catarrh and headache. Listed below are several health benefits of Chaste tree

1. Relieves PMS Symptoms

Nearly 75 percent of women are experiencing PMS; it’s certainly a health topic on a lot of minds. If you are suffering from PMS, then you experience a number of unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms each month that last between two to 14 days before your period. The symptoms of PMS can greatly be reduced or even eliminated by making an effort to get your hormones in proper balance. Vitex is one of the top herbal recommendations when it comes to natural PMS relief.

Vitex is believed to work well at reducing PMS symptoms because it destroys the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland.(1), (2)

2. Treatment for Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an unbearably painful situation described by the abnormal growth of endometrial cells in the uterus lining. These deposits normally trigger the formation of scarred tissues. Research recommends that this plant possesses the potential to ease the pain and other symptoms associated with this condition. 400 mg of this herb on an empty stomach in the morning at least for 6 weeks will help you combat the pain.

3. Improves Female Fertility

Vitex has been shown to improve fertility, mainly for women with luteal phase defect. These women have trouble because their ovaries don’t release enough progesterone.

In a research among 48 women (ages 23 to 39) who were diagnosed with infertility took chaste berry once daily for three months. During the three-month trial period, seven women became pregnant and 25 women experienced normalized progesterone levels, which can increase the chances for pregnancy.(3)

4. Remedies Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is a medical condition in which a woman of reproductive age has her menstrual cycle stop suddenly. If you’re not pregnant and your period has stopped, it’s a solid indication that something isn’t right.

Amenorrhea can be caused by a number of factors with one possibility including having too much prolactin in your body, which can cause hypoestrogenism or estrogen deficiency. Vitex supplementation help to modulate prolactin and get a healthy balance of estrogen and progesterone back on track.(4)

5. Reduces Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors found within the uterine walls, often resulting in a change in the size or shape of the uterus as well as several unfriendly symptoms. Best way to prevent and reduce uterine fibroids is to maintain a proper balance of hormones. Chaste berry can help to balance the ratio of estrogen to progesterone.

6. Treats Enlarged Prostate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an age-associated prostate gland enlargement that can cause urination difficulty.  Research conducted by the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology at the University of Basel in Switzerland showed that extracts of Vitex negundo fruits can be useful for the prevention and treatment not only of an enlarged prostate, but also prostate cancer. Data showed that Vitex consists of components that prevent proliferation and kills prostate cancer cells.(5)

7. May Promote Lactation

Chaste berry is one of the most highly praised herbs for promoting lactation in Europe. Research found that supplementation with a Vitex tincture could increase the amount of milk produced by mothers with or without pregnancy complications, as noted by the University of Michigan Health System. Herbs like Vitex promote or increase the breast milk flow known as Galactogogue. An older German research found that 15 drops of it in tincture form three times per day help to increase the amount of milk produced by mothers with or without pregnancy complications, as compared with mothers given vitamin B1 or nothing at all.

8. Clears Up Acne

Hormone imbalances and fluctuations are the main cause of acne, particularly in woman. If you experience acne, especially along your jawline and chin, Vitex might be a perfect acne natural remedy. It can balance your hormones, which help to reduce acne formation in women. Preliminary research suggests that it might help clear premenstrual acne, as well, possibly by regulating hormonal influences.(6)

9. Lowers Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is a permanent end of menstruation and fertility, defined as occurring 12 months after your last menstrual period. It can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the U.S. Vitex is often combined with other herbs, such as black cohosh or dong quai, for maximum benefits. Research found that a supplement containing Vitex as a key ingredient was able to reduce moderate to severe menopause symptoms.(7), (8)

10. Aids in Hair Growth

Oil made from the leaves of this tree can be used as a hair tonic. Regular application is known to rejuvenate the hair, prevent hair fall, and promote hair growth. Certain Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe nirgundi oil as a remedy for baldness too.

11. Cure For Inflammatory Health Conditions

Vitex is loaded with Vitamin C; it is one of the best natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents found in nature. It peps up the immunity power and thwarts frequent recurrences of fever, orchitis, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis. You can use a decoction prepared from the leaves of this plant, thrice a day, as a gargle to obtain relief from tonsillitis and pharyngitis.

12. Useful for Assorted Digestive System Disorders

The herb is known to strengthen and enhance the functioning of the digestive system. It helps in improving digestion and stimulates appetite. It is equally effective in easing anorexia too. It also acts as an anthelmintic, and can be used as a digestive system cleansing agent.

13. Good for Your Respiratory System

Herbal tea made from the leaves of chaste tree is known to ease the phlegm accumulated in the respiratory tract. Thus, it clears the clogged passages, enhances the ventilation, and steadies the breath. This is one of the key reasons why these leaves are advised in Ayurveda as a remedy for bronchitis, asthma, pleurisy, and pneumonia.

14. Beneficial For Your Circulatory System

Leaves of chaste tree berry can be used to ease any kind of edema in the circulatory system. It is also beneficial for treating inflammatory conditions affecting the spleen and liver. Ayurvedic practitioners also suggest a mixture of cow’s urine and nirgundi leaf juice as cure for ascitis.

15. Helps In Easing Painful Conditions Affecting Nervous System

You can consume this herb internally to ease various nervous system conditions, right from mild headaches to rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica and synovitis. It also works as a wonderful brain tonic and helps in enhancing memory power.

Practical Uses of Vitex Negundo

Other Traditional uses and benefits of Chaste Tree (Vitex)

Other Facts

How to Choose and Take Vitex

Vitex or chaste berry is available in many different forms in your local health store or online. The dried, ripe chaste berry is used to prepare liquid extracts or solid extracts that are put into capsules and tablets. If you’re not a fan of capsules or tablets, then the liquid extract is a great choice. You can also easily find Vitex in tea form on its own or combined with other herbs that promote hormonal balance. You can also order the dried berries and make your own tincture at home.

Here are the recommended doses for certain uses:

Chaste berry Facts

Vitex Negundo also called chaste berry  is a large aromatic ,medicinal  shrub found in India ,China and Philippines .It belongs to the family of Lamiaceae .It is a large aromatic shrub  or small tree from  a single trunk commonly  found in road sides  of Tamil Nadu .It is also known as the five leafed chaste tree in common, nochchi in Tamil ,vavil in Telugu ,nirgundi in Hindi ,karinochi in Malayalam and nila nirgundi in Sanskrit .  It is a common herbal remedy and has been used for hundreds of years .More than 200 spices of this plant exist with 14 found in India.

Name Vitex (Chaste Tree)
Scientific Name Vitex negundo
Native Native to tropical Eastern and Southern Africa and Asia.
Common Names Huang Ping, Chinese chastetree, Cut Leaf Vitex, Cut-leaf Chastetree, Vitex, Chaste tree fruit, monk’s pepper, Abraham’s balm, safe tree, Indian-spice, wild pepper
Name in Other Languages Albanian: Konopice, Mrine e bardhe
Arabic: Fitex, Ghar bari asraq, Ibrahim, Kaf marim, kaf mariyam (كف مريم), shajarat
Assamese: Pochotia (পচতীয়া), Pasutia, aggla-chita, aslok
Bengali: Samalu, Nirgundi, Nishinda, Samalu, sinduari, beguna, nishinda, nishinde
Bontok: Liñgei
Bulgarian: Viteks (Витекс)
Catalan: Agnocast, Aloc, Alís, Arbre de Sant Josep, Herba de la castedat, Pebre bord, Ximbla
Chinese: Huang jing(黄荆), Suìhuā mǔ jīng (穗花牡荆)
Croatian: Konopljika
Czech: Drmek obecný, Mnišský pepř, Vitex jehněčí
Danish: Kyskhedstræ
Dutch: Kuisboom, Monnikenpeper
English: Chinese chastetree, five-leaf chastetree, chaste tree, Common Chaste Tree, huang ping, Negundo, Negundo Chaste-tree, negundo chastetree, vitex, Abraham’s balm, Agnus castus, Hemptree, lilac chastetree, Monks’ Pepper Tree, Horseshoe vitex;
Estonian: Harilik mungapipar
Filipino: Lagundi
Finnish: Siveydenpuu
French: Muguet bleu, Arbre au poivre, Gattilier, Gattilier, Poivre sauvage, Poivre des moines
German: Abrahamsstrauch, Keuschlamm, Mönchspfeffer
Guam: Laoundi, lagundi
Gujarati: Nagoda, Shamalic, nagaol, nirgari
Hebrew: Siah avraham mazui, שיח-אברהם מצוי
Hindi: Nirgandi, Sambhalu, semari, shiwari, nirgundee (निर्गुंडी) Nirgundi, sindavaar (सिंदवार) Sindvar, semaaree (सेमारी), िनरगुंडी, िशवारी, mewri, Nisinda, Sawbhalu
Hungarian: Barátcserje, Szűzbariska, Szűzfa
Ifugao: Dabtan
Ilokano: Dangla
Italian: Agno casto, Agnocasto, albero del pepe, pepe falso
Javanese:  Katumpa empah
Japanese: Itarianinjin-boku (イタリアニンジンボク), Teiso-boku (テイソウボク)
Kannada: Nochi, Bile-nekki, Lakki soppu, Lakki gida, Lekki gida
Konkani: Lingad
Korean: I-tal-ri-a-mog-hyeong (이탈리아목형), Italliamokhong, Italliamokhyeong, , jommokhyeong (좀목형)
Kumaon: Sindwar, kharwar, shiwali, simali
Malayalam: Indrani, Karinochi, Nochi, Vellanocchi, Vellanochi, Vennocchi, Vennochi,
Maltese: Bżar tal-Patrijiet, Siġra tal-virgi, Tal-virgi
Marathi : Nirgunda, nisind, nigudi, ligur, samhalu, lingur, nirgunda, nirgur, lingur
Manipuri: Urik shibi
Nepali:  Simali (सिमली), Nirgundi
Odia: Nirgundi
Oriya: Beyguna, begundia, nirgundi, laguni (Malkangiri), begna,
Beguniya
Persian: Sisban, panj-angasht, banjangasht, panjngust
Polish: Niepokalanek pieprzowy
Portuguese: Agno casto, Anho-casto, Flor da castidade, Pimenteiro Silvestre, Árvore da castidade
Punjabi: Banna, marwan, moraun, morann, sanoke, swanjan, shawar, bankahu, marwa, mawa, maura, mora, biuna, binna, torbanna, shwari, maura, torban
Romanian: Melărea
Russian: Avraamovo derevo, prutnjak obyknovennyj, Viteks, Авраамово дерево, Витекс, авраамово дерево, прутняк обыкновенный
Sanskrit: Nirgundi, sindhuvara, indrasursa, indranika, sinduka, nisinda, shephali, indrani, nirgundika, renuka, sindhuvaram, sinduya, sugandhika, surasa, vrikshaha, nirgunda, shveta sephalika,
suvaha, nirgundi, nilika (kali newri), nilapushpi, nilanirgundi, shvetasurasa, bhootveshi (whiteflowered newri), svetapuspa
Sinhala: Nika (නික)
Slovak: Vitex jahňací
Slovenian: Navadna konopljika
Swedish: kinesiskt kyskhetsträd, Munkpeppar
Tamil: Vellai-nochi, nirkkundi, venmochi, notchi, nirnochi, sirunochi, nirrukundi, vennochi, villai-noch-chi, nochchi, nirnochi, nochi
Telegu: Vaavili, vaavilu, tellavavaati, tellavavilli, vaavilu, chirvaavili,
mella-vavili, vavalipadu, veyala, vavilli, nalla vavili, vavilipadu
Turkish: Ayıt, Hayıt
Urdu : Sumbaloo, Sambhalu, tukhm sambhalu
Vietnam: Ngutrao
Plant Growth Habit Erect shrub or small tree
Growing Climate Commonly found near bodies of water, recently disturbed land, grasslands, and mixed open forests.
Soil Moist, well-drained soil.
Plant Size 15 to 20 feet tall with a spread of 10 to 15 feet.
Bark Smooth, thin, reddish brown becoming blocky on older stems
Branchlets Quadrangular, densely whitish, tomentose branchlets
Leaf Opposite, palmately compound, 2 to 6 inches across, usually five leaflets per leaf (3-7), leaflets ovate, obovate or lanceolate wih entire or toothed margins, light green above and pale pubescent below, very aromatic when crushed
Flower Numerous flowers are borne in panicles 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) in length. Each is around 6 to 7 cm (2.4 to 2.8 in) long and are white to blue in color. The petals are of different lengths, with the middle lower lobe being the longest. Both the corolla and calyx are covered in dense hairs.
Fruit Shape & Size Succulent drupe, 4 mm (0.16 in) in diameter, rounded to egg-shaped.
Fruit Color Green when young turning to black or purple when ripe
Seed 5–6 mm in diameter
Plant Parts Used Leaf, root, seeds, tender stem, fruit
Lifespan 15-40 years
Culinary Uses
  • Seed occasionally used as a condiment.
  • It is a pepper substitute
Precautions
  • Chaste berry should be avoided by patients with hormone-sensitive diseases including certain types of cancers.
  • Do not take if you are pregnant or nursing.
  • Overdose of Chaste berry may cause headache, dizziness, nausea, upset stomach, rash, and itchiness.
  • It can interfere with some medications, including birth control, antipsychotics and estrogen supplements like those used with in-vitro fertilization treatments.
Health Benefits
  • Helps In Easing Painful Conditions Affecting Nervous System
  • Beneficial For Your Circulatory System
  • Good for Your Respiratory System
  • Useful for Assorted Digestive System Disorders
  • Cure For Inflammatory Health Conditions
  • Aids in Hair Growth
  • Lowers Menopause Symptoms
  • Clears Up Acne
  • May Promote Lactation
  • Treats Enlarged Prostate
  • Reduces Uterine Fibroids
  • Remedies Amenorrhea
  • Improves Female Fertility
  • Treatment for Endometriosis
  • Relieves PMS Symptoms

References:

http://www.gbif.org/species/2925564/vernaculars

http://herbs.indianmedicinalplants.info/index.php/sanskrit-names-of-plants/57-2012-05-14-18-10-18/1028-vitex-negundo

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32222#null

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/98504/

https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=41832

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Vitex+negundo

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/chasteberry

http://easyayurveda.com/2014/07/27/nirgundi-vitex-negundo-uses-dose-side-effects-research/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitex_negundo

http://www.planetayurveda.com/library/nirgundi-vitex-negundo

http://www.gbif.org/species/7226096/synonyms?&offset=0

http://www.stuartxchange.com/Lagundi.html

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=653

http://asianagrihistory.org/vol-19/nirgundi-natures-gift-to-mankind.pdf

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=vine2

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