What is Vitex?
By Joy Ray
Vitex is a shrub with silvery leaves and clusters of purple flowers, and small black peppercorn-like berries, reddish-grey fruits. The berries taste a little spicy and astringent, and the plants can grow as high as 17 feet tall.It is said to be a wonderful tonic, and enhances the chances of conception, and relieves many of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.
Vitex is not a hormone, but it seems to have a balancing effect on hormones by stimulating and normalizing the pituitary gland, which regulates the balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
Vitex nourishes and supports the endocrine system to find its own balance. It has none of the hormonal building blocks that many of medicinal herbs contain.
Most of the research I have found focuses on the benefits to women throughout their whole life, in normalizing reproductive cycles, improving fertility and lactation, and Vitex is also useful for women with uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, or endometriosis, as all of these conditions proliferate under the influence of estrogen and shrink under the influence of progesterone.
It is the single best herb I have seen for treating the many possible symptoms of PMS: cramps, flooding, headaches, depression, water retention, constipation, acne, breast tenderness, and irritability, and it can help normalize irregular or scanty periods.Vitex does not work instantly, but effects can be noticed after using it for about a month, and some women find it useful throughout their life.
But not just for women; there are applications for men as well, as Vitex has been shown useful in Prostate hypertrophy.The flavanoids as well as other nutrients in Vitex may have anti-inflammatory, sedative, and analgesic properties.
Side Effects?
Allergic reactions can occur to any natural product in sensitive persons, but I have not seen published any allergic reactions to vitex.The fresh or dried berries can be made into a tea, and used, or there are many herbal preparations on the market.
Vitex in the garden?
It grows best when planted in full sun and in a location that drains well. It grows well in hot and dry environments, but mulch the roots heavily in summer to keep the soil from drying out too quickly. Seeds are reputed to be difficult to germinate, so tube stock seems to be the way to go.
Vitex is not a hormone, but it seems to have a balancing effect on hormones by stimulating and normalizing the pituitary gland, which regulates the balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
Vitex nourishes and supports the endocrine system to find its own balance. It has none of the hormonal building blocks that many of medicinal herbs contain.
Most of the research I have found focuses on the benefits to women throughout their whole life, in normalizing reproductive cycles, improving fertility and lactation, and Vitex is also useful for women with uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, or endometriosis, as all of these conditions proliferate under the influence of estrogen and shrink under the influence of progesterone.
It is the single best herb I have seen for treating the many possible symptoms of PMS: cramps, flooding, headaches, depression, water retention, constipation, acne, breast tenderness, and irritability, and it can help normalize irregular or scanty periods.Vitex does not work instantly, but effects can be noticed after using it for about a month, and some women find it useful throughout their life.
But not just for women; there are applications for men as well, as Vitex has been shown useful in Prostate hypertrophy.The flavanoids as well as other nutrients in Vitex may have anti-inflammatory, sedative, and analgesic properties.
Side Effects?
Allergic reactions can occur to any natural product in sensitive persons, but I have not seen published any allergic reactions to vitex.The fresh or dried berries can be made into a tea, and used, or there are many herbal preparations on the market.
Vitex in the garden?
It grows best when planted in full sun and in a location that drains well. It grows well in hot and dry environments, but mulch the roots heavily in summer to keep the soil from drying out too quickly. Seeds are reputed to be difficult to germinate, so tube stock seems to be the way to go.
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