Herb. No. 086 · Lamiaceae
Chaste tree of Mediterranean river gravels and Greek islands.
Native · Mediterranean
Native Also grown
OpenCautionplant
Chaste tree
Vitex agnus-castus
A lilac-like Mediterranean shrub whose peppercorn berries are a cycle herb with a hormone reputation.
Vitex berry is a traditional European women’s herb for PMS and irregular cycles, likely via pituitary signaling rather than as a phytoestrogen. It is slow — weeks, not a rescue. Hormone-sensitive disease and pregnancy are stop signs. The shrub is a fine dry-garden plant even if you never take the berry.
Flavor
Pungent, peppery, slightly bitter — a spice more than a tea.
Parts used
Ripe berry
In favor
- Beautiful summer lilac of the dry garden
- A specific traditional niche
Against
- Hormone-active
- Slow
- Not for pregnancy or some hormone therapies