Herbs Guide

Vitex

Family Name: Lamiaceae

Botanical Name(s): Vitex Negundo, Vitex Agnus Castus

Popular Name(s): Five Leafed Chaste Tree, Chasteberry, Nirgundi, Sambhalu, Vitex, Agnus-Castus, Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper, Cloister Pepper, Indrani, Nirgandhi, Nochi

Parts Used: Roots, root, flowers, leaves, bark

Habitat: This plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean countries and Central Asia.

Description: A deciduous shrub, having an airy and spreading habit, grows up to 10 feet. It has five-fingered leaves, which begin to bud as late as June, and eight-inch lilac flower spikes.

Uses: The extract of all the Vitex fruit constituents affects the activity of the pituitary gland. It helps increase progesterone production, which can be beneficial for women's health in many cases, as it gives the opportunity to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce the symptoms of menopause and PMS (irritability, breast tenderness, mood switches, menstrual cramps), and even fight women infertility, caused by hormone imbalance.