Another Name for Chaste Tree Berry

Description

• Vitex shrubs attain a mature height and width of 10 to 20 feet. Their compound leaves consist of five to seven fingerlike leaflets, and have been said to resemble those of the hemp plant (Cannabis genus). For this reason, vitex is also known as hemp tree. These dark green leaves have whitish undersides. They are deciduous, falling to the ground each autumn and reemerging each spring. From late spring until autumn, long clusters of purple blossoms resembling those of the butterfly bush (Buddleja genus) burst forth, contributing to this plant's value as an ornamental. These flowers attract the attention of butterflies, hummingbird and honeybees. At the end of the warmer season, they give way to clusters of small dark berries, the part of the plant used medicinally.

Growing Conditions

• Vitex is indigenous to the humid and shady corners of the island of Sicily. This plant thrives in either sun or shade, and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 to 10, a region encompassing much of the southern United States. In zone 6, it is advisable to plant vitex against a wall for maximum protection from cold. Vitex may be propagated either from seed or cuttings, and is tolerant of salt.

Historical Medicinal Use

• The ancient Greek physician Dioscorides asserted that vitex could be used as an anti-aphrodisiac, or an herb able to suppress sexual urges. This belief persisted into the Middle Ages, where it was used by monks both to flavor their food and to assuage lust. This led to both the common names chaste tree and monk's pepper.

Modern Medicinal Use

• In modern times, vitex has been used mainly to treat women's conditions such as PMS, breast pain and swelling, regulating menstrual cycles and menopausal symptoms. In "The Health Professional's Guide to Dietary Supplements," author Shawn M. Talbott reports the effectiveness of vitex in treating corpeus luteum insufficiency and associated infertility, as well as uterine myomas and even Parkinson's disease. According to Dr. Beatrix Roemheld-Hamm in an article published in the journal "American Family Physician," vitex is an effective treatment for breast discomfort and PMS symptoms, but not for regulating breast milk production as commonly thought. Dr. Roemheld-Hamm also reports that there is no clinical evidence supporting the traditional belief that vitex reduces sexual desire.