What Is Chaste Tree Berry

Chaste Tree Berry is a peppery fruit of a tree that blooms and sheds at a particular time of year in the Mediterranean region. With it’s fragrant flowers, lancelike leaves, and gray or purple berries, it has a long reputation for treating menstrual disorders. In the middle ages it was thought to inspire chastity it earned the name "Monks Pepper". This herb has been used for centuries to treat female hormonal related problems.nnHow Does This Herb Work?nnThe Chaste Tree Berry herb works primarily on the pituitary gland to balance and stabilize the hormonal fluctuations women experience every month with their menstrual cycle. Chasteberry increases the body’s secretion of luteinizing hormone which helps to reduce prolactin and increase both progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormones. Higher levels of prolactin contribute to irregular or the absence of the menstruation cycle, thus, using chasteberry helps to normalize the menstrual cycle, including symptoms of PMS. Evidence suggests that the chasteberry flowers contain the plant world’s equivalent of human testosterone, which would help to stimulate libido. nnThe Active Ingredients nnChaste Tree contains an essential oil called sesquiterpenes, iridoid glycosidesn(such as aucubin), flavonoids (methoxylated flavones) and other natural compounds to help support and balance the female reproductive and endocrine systems.nnResearch suggests that chasteberry may help out with irritability, breast pain, and depressed moods. However, it is not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always check with your health practitioner before starting any herbal therapy.