Chasteberry (Vitex)
Also known as: Vitex agnus-castus, vitex, chaste tree berry, monk's pepper, agnus castus
Chasteberry is the dried fruit of Vitex agnus-castus, a Mediterranean shrub with a long history in women's health. Standardized extracts, typically 20 to 40 mg per day, have been examined in multiple double-blind trials and a meta-analysis for premenstrual symptoms and cycle regularity. It is a foundation ingredient in cycle-support and hormone-balance formulas and is often paired with black cohosh, magnesium, or vitamin B6.
Research summary
Diterpenes studied for dopaminergic activity that may modulate prolactin release from the pituitary.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of extract.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mg | 20–40 mg | — | — |
20 to 40 mg of extract once daily in the morning. Trials generally ran three menstrual cycles before assessing results.
Standardization: Extract (commonly 0.5% agnusides or 6–12:1)
Source material: dried fruit extract
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Low dose suits tablets and gummies.
Formulation notes
Because of possible dopaminergic activity, note in formulation review if combined with other prolactin-affecting ingredients.
Sources
Related ingredients
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl)
VitaminPyridoxine hydrochloride is the standard, inexpensive, and highly stable form of vitamin B6 used in nearly all multivitamins and B-complex products.
Typical: 1.7–50 mg
Maca Root Powder
BotanicalA cruciferous root grown in the Peruvian Andes, dried and milled into a powder used in libido, energy, and hormone-balance formulas.
Typical: 1,500–3,000 mg
Myo-Inositol
OtherMyo-inositol is a sugar alcohol the body makes from glucose and the most abundant inositol isomer in cells, where it forms the backbone of phosphatidylinositol signaling lipids and the second messengers that relay insulin and hormone signals.
Typical: 2–4 g
Black Cohosh
BotanicalBlack cohosh is a North American herb whose root and rhizome have been studied for decades in women going through menopause.
Typical: 20–40 mg
St. John's Wort Extract
BotanicalAn extract of the flowering tops of Hypericum perforatum standardized to hypericin and often hyperforin, the most studied botanical for mood.
Typical: 600–900 mg