Vitex (Chaste tree) has been used for thousands of years for its beneficial affect on the female glandular system, and its restraining effect on male hormones. Modern research has confirmed at least one of these uses, and the berries are now widely used to restore balance and function to the female reproductive system, by stimulating the natural production of progesterone.
Some of the old herbals classify the berries as anaphrodisiac, accounting for the name Monk's pepper, and the tradition of using the kernels to lessen the urges of the flesh. Other sources list the Vitex fruit as aphrodisiac, implying the opposite tendency. The truth is that the Vitex, like many other herbs, exerts a normalizing influence on the body restoring that which is absent, and constraining excessive tendencies.
Vitex acts upon the pituitary gland, reducing the production of certain hormones and increasing the production of other, shifting the balance in favor of the gestagens, hormones that normally condition the body for pregnancy. It has found a wide following of users for imbalances of the female reproductive system, especially when they are related to excessive estrogen or xen-estrogen influence, and has been used with great effect in restoring absent menstruation, regulating heavy periods, restoring fertility when caused by hormonal imbalance, relieve PMS tension, and easing the changes of menopause.
A tincture of the berries has also been used externally for the relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, and neuropathic muscular weakness.
Internal Indicated Usages:
| Amenorrhea | Infertility |
| Menopausal discomfort | Menstrual cramps |
| Nursing (to initiate - short term use only) | PMS |
External Indicated Usages
Special Considerations:
Large does of Vitex has been known to cause a nervous disorder known as formication, which manifests as a tingling sensation like insects crawling over the skin.
Notes:
Vitex berries can be used as a mild substitute for black pepper, and can even be ground in a pepper mill. Not only will the safrole in the pepper be avoided, but the libido may get an attitude adjustment.
Re: Use this for my horse
by stayinthelight@cox.net on May 8, 2008 [ reply ]
I just wanted to comment on this as I also put my mare on Chaste Tree and grind it the same way. I read about it on a rescue site and thought I'd look for myself and found MoreThanAlive! Just started about 2 or 3 months ago (Feb. 08) and I am having great results too. I also give it to my gelding and they are both way more happy/mellow and looking really good - healthy. I live in San Diego and they are both almost completely shed out and lookin' fine. I was so happy with this website that I decided to also put both horses on Rosemary, black walnut (for worms), Pau D'Arco, Stevia, Garlic, vinegar, cinnamon - and a few others occasionally. I am really thrilled with how these herbs have helped our family. This is a wonderful company and I feel really blessed to have come accross it in my search for answers about my insulin resistant and cushing horses.
Thank you Vlad and Joy and Beeyoutiful,I have become a customer for life.
Blessings to you,
Lisa Hauri
Re: Use this for my horse
by Barbara on Jun 22, 2009 [ reply ]
My old donkey has Cushings Syndrome and has been on Pergolide. How much do you feed your horse (what dosage)? I am considering changing her to this natural product. I would appreciate any info. Thanks
Re: Use this for my horse
by Lisa G on May 21, 2009 [ reply ]
how much of this do you give to your horse? I'm starting my horse on it and taking her off pergolide over time. I'm not sure how much to give her daily. thanks
Re: Use this for my horse
by Georgette Miller on May 28, 2009 [ reply ]
I have a 26 yr old gelding with Cushings Disease and I have been giving him
1 mg of Pergolide daily for over a year but he still will not shed. I see a place called Starwest Botanicals where you can order chasteberry POWDER in a 1 lb container and I am wondering how much to feed. Can you help me?
Thanks,
Georgette Miller
Jackson, Ms
Re: Use this for my horse
by cindy on Sep 29, 2009 [ reply ]
I have used it for the past 4 months for Hank, my Belgian gelding. The web article I had found on its use suggests 1Tablespoon of powder 2x a day. I guess that it tastes good, Hank eats it up! The article also suggests on 3 weeks & off one week.
Although Hank (age 23) does not have all of the symptoms of cushings, he has shown some signs of it with weight loss & less energy. The chaste tree berry has helped him overall. I will continue to use it.
Re: Use this for my horse
by Betsy on Nov 2, 2009 [ reply ]
I got my info from a rescue site. They use the Chaste Tree berry Powder year round on all their Cushings horses, including geldings. They do not claim to be doctors nor do I. They swear by the results and I know Pergolide can have bad side effects. the amount they prescribe is 1 tsp. two x a day, a heaping one for larger horses. they feed it for 3 weeks on and o week off so they don't build immunity. My horse had Cushings and Lymes, she has only been on the powder about a month, and was also on Doxy for the Lymes, but she isn't cranky like she was which was unlike her...I feed the powder, don't want to grind and put it in her senior and she never slows down. spring will be interesting but i hear lots of good reports and natural is always better ! blessings to you and you 26 yr. old baby, my paint is 26 also ! Betsy
Re: Use this for my horse
by Barbara on Jun 22, 2009 [ reply ]
My donkey has been diagnosed with Cushings Disease. How much do you give your horse by body weight? She is on Pergolide with success however it is so expensive and I would like to try an alternate. I would appreciate any info. Thanks, Barb
Re: Use this for my horse
by Neil on Mar 7, 2010 [ reply ]
I just bought some chasteberries and a coffee grinder and am wondering how much to sprinkle on my 500lb pony's senior feed. He has cushings and does well on pergoglide. I feel he will do as well if not better on a more natural product. My farrier recommended the berry. I think from another post 1 tsp daily would work. Any comments are more than welcome.
chaste tree berry for horses
by Katherine White on Sep 10, 2008 [ reply ]
We're using ground chaste tree berries for our pony as well (Miniature horse/Hackney pony cross). She tested negative for Cushings and insulin resistance, but still tends to have weight gain in areas typical of Cushings (over the shoulders, over and behind the eyes, etc.). We give her 1 tsp. of ground berries twice a day with her starch free feed, 3 weeks on and 1 week off. From what I understand the week off is important for mares. Much as it is a source of occasional distress, we ladies need that hormonal ebb and flow. Interestingly, when my daughter stopped grinding the berries and gave them whole, the pony's symptoms came right back and she gained considerable weight before I found out what was going on (about 2 weeks). This was with no change in the amount of food she took in.
Ground chaste tree berries (we use a coffee bean grinder) are an efficient, cost-effective treatment that I'd recommend for anyone with a "too easy keeper." I don't think you'll find fresher or less expensive berries than are available from More Than Alive.
