Vitex agnus castus

Vitex agnus-castus L. is a hemp-like shrub of the genus Vitex (about 250 species are known) in the labiates family and the subfamily Viticoideae, distributed mainly in the Mediterranean region and Asia Minor.

Vitex agnus-castus is the parent plant of Agni castus fructus the ripe dried fruits (HAB1).

Chastex agnus-castus fruit (was considered an anti-aphrodiasic in the Middle Ages), also called monk's pepper, belongs to the group of phytopharmaceuticals in the naturopathic group and is used mainly for gynecological complaints.

see also under Monk's Pepper

Ingredients of Fructus agni casti: bicyclic diterpenes (e.g. rotundifuran), iridoid glycosides, lipophilic flavonols, hydrophilic flavones e.g. casticin (see below flavonoids), triglycerides, essential oils (with cineole and pinene), sesquiterpenes.

Effects: Reduction of basal and stimulated prolactin secretion in cell cultures, dose-dependent antagonization of haloperidol, binding to the D2 dopamine receptors of lactotropic cells, inhibition of prolactin secretion.

hyperprolactinaemia (E22.1.), premenstrual syndrome (N94.3), mastodynia (N64.5)

allergic reactions with angioedema and urtiacardial exanthema, headache, dizziness, psychosomatic agitation (rare), hallucinations (rare), confusion (rare)

Agnolyt solution or capsules, Agno-Sabona capsules, Agnucaston film tablets or solution, Biofem film tablets, Castufemin solution, Cefanorm capsules or solution, Femicur N capsules, Feminon A capsules, Sarai capsules.

Dosage: 1 x 30 to 40 drops daily; 2 to 4 mg dry extract

If a feeling of tension or swelling in the breasts or disturbances in menstrual bleeding should occur, a precise diagnostic clarification is recommended.

1. Carmichael AR (2008) Can Vitex Agnus Castus be Used for the Treatment of Mastalgia? What is the Current Evidence? Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 5:247-250.
2. Halaska M et al (1998) Treatment of cyclical mastodynia using an extract of Vitex agnus castus: results of a double-blind comparison with a placebo. Ceska Gynekol 63:388-392.
3. Loew D (2012) in Beer A M et al [Ed.] Leitfaden Naturheilverfahren für die ärztliche Praxis, Urban und Fischer Verlag S 185.
4. Šošić-Jurjević B et al. (2016) Functional morphology of pituitary -thyroid and -adrenocortical axes in middle-aged male rats treated with Vitex agnus castus essential oil. Acta Histochem doi: 10.1016/j.acthis.2016.07.007.
5. Tamagno G (2009) Are changes of prolactin levels the effectors of vitex agnus castus beneficial effects on the pre-menstrual syndrome? Maturitas 63:369.
6. Tamagno G et al (2007) Vitex agnus castus might enrich the pharmacological armamentarium for medical treatment of prolactinoma. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 135:139-140.
7. YE Q et al (2010) Casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex rotundifolia, inhibits prolactin release in vivo and in vitro. Acta Pharmacol Sin 31:1564-1568.