Chaste Tree fruit

Agni casti fructus; chaste tree fruit, vitex fruit.  

Chaste tree fruit composed of the ripe, dried fruits of Vitex agnus castus L.  [Fam.  Verbenaceae], as well as their preparations in effective dosage.  

Pharmacological Properties, Pharmacokinetics, Toxicology

There is evidence that aqueous-alcoholic extracts of chaste tree fruit inhibit secretion of prolactin in vitro.  In human pharmacology there are no data about the lowering of prolactin levels.  There is no knowledge regarding pharmacokinetics.  Systematic studies about toxicology are unknown.  

Clinical Data

Uses

Irregularities of the menstrual cycle.  Premenstrual complaints.  Mastodynia.  

Note:In case of feeling of tension and swelling of the breasts and at disturbances of menstruation, a physician should be consulted for diagnosis.  

Contraindications

None known.  

Side Effects

Occasional occurrence of itching, urticarial exanthemas.  

None known.  

No application during pregnancy.  

In animal experiments an influence on the nursing performance was observed.  

Interactions are unknown.  In animal experiments there is evidence of a dopaminergic effect of the drug; therefore, a reciprocal weakening of the effect can occur in case of ingestion of dopamine-receptor antagonists.  

Unless otherwise prescribed:

Daily dosage:

• aqueous-alcoholic extracts corresponding to 30 - 40 mg of the drug.  

Aqueous-alcoholic extracts (50 - 70 percent v/v) from the crushed fruits taken as liquid or dry extract.  

None known.  

None known.  

None known.