February 2004 NEWS LETTER Notes by David Winston, AHG

Chaste Tree – In Practice How is it Used? Notes from David Winston, AHG

Prevention Magazine-February 2004 (p.93) discusses “Herbal Solution for Severe PMS-Chaste Tree rivals meds for symptom relief” and lists Herbalist & Alchemist as a good source. So what is our view…

·        Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) fruits have a long history of use throughout Europe.  American Herbalists have only become familiar with this herb in the last 20 years due to the influence of several UK trained Herbalists (such as David Hoffmann, Amanda McQuade-Crawford). 

·        Vitex has several uses but it's sphere of influence is most noted in problems associated with menses or menopause.  It works by regulating the Pituitary gland and helping to balance FSH and LH levels.  It is indicated in women with elevated estrogen and low progesterone, elevated androgens (conditions such as PCOS or deep cystic acne), or elevated estrogen with normal progesterone levels.  In clinical practice it is an effective part of a treatment protocol for PMS/PMDD (especially mood swings, anxiety and breast swelling), menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, formication, mood swings, vaginal dryness and depression), irregular menstruation, uterine fibroids and amenorrhea. 

·        Traditional herbalists rarely use "simples", one herb at a time.  We believe in the concept of synergy, using several herbs together in a well thought out formula.  An example of this would be using Chaste Tree together with Black Cohosh for menopausal symptoms. 

·        While the media portrays Black Cohosh as the "menopause" herb, in reality Chaste tree is more effective for treating this type of problem. This is where synergy comes in to the picture, because the two herbs together are vastly more efficacious than either one alone. This is a simple but useful example of how a well-designed formula can enhance activity and the effectiveness of a herbal protocol. 

·        All Herbalist & Alchemist formulas are based on 20 plus years of clinical experience, using herbal synergies to make the most effective and safe herbal products available.