Botanical Name(s): Agnus Castus
Popular Name(s): Vitex, Monk's Pepper and Wild Pepper.
Parts Used: The ripe berries.
Habitat: Shores of the Mediterranean regions.
Description: Chaste tree is a deciduous shrub with aromatic palmate leaves, divided into 5 or 6 pointed leaflets. Small lilac scented flowers are borne in summer, followed by red-black fruits, which have medicinal and culinary uses.
Uses: Chaste tree is used in a tincture and herbal tea to relieve premenstrual syndrome symptoms, normalize menstrual flow and increase milk production in nursing mothers. The fresh ripe berries are pounded to a pulp and used in the form of a tincture for the relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, weakness etc.