Vitex: Chasteberry

Anecdotal evidence

Anecdotal evidence shows that modest amounts of chasteberry continue to lower prolactin symptoms after it is taken. During secretory phase, after recent signs of nipple growth, Vitex agnus-castus reduces nipple size and causes breast swelling. Chasteberry decreases prolactin, while simultaneously for the short term raises progesterone. Over time, this swelling goes away, because likely, prolactin production is continuing to be suppressed so that the feedback loop that increases progesterone eventually declines.

Once the temporary increase of progesterone is no longer sustained as a result of lowered prolactin levels, the premenstrual stage begins. These combined effects can explain why V. agnus-castus has been known to normalize the duration of the secretory (luteal) phase.

Anti-cancer properties

Many species within Vitex have anti-cancer properties.

Vitex for breast enhancement

Vitex agnus-castus can be taken in a minimal dose only once during mid to late secretory phase. Taking more or taking it during other phases can impede results. Chasteberry may take from a few hours to over a day for a noticeable result of breast swelling.

There's suggestions from elsewhere, to take a small amount of vitex every day. Someone said it caused a temporary improvement for hormone balance. It's a different method, and it perhaps works by averaging out hormones over time, provided that it doesn't interrupt the menses cycle.

Once there is swelling from taking chasteberry, taking more chasteberry may cause breast shrinking. Taking vitex outside of secretory phase, may not cause the same estrogenic results as when taken during secretory.

The herb program hirsutism01 has an example of vitex use with results.

Vitex or herbs with similar properties are in the simplified herb program. The herb program of menses is needed for balance for this named phase. BCP01 is a composite page of pieces of different programs on birth control or IUD use.

Herb timing and combinations' success for breast enhancement relies on menstrual phases. Descriptions and pictures of results from herb combination use can be seen in programs.

For hormone balance

Vitex can be taken once during late luteal phase to balance hormones. When used at this time, it can lower hot-flashes or excess body heat. Chasteberry tends to cause breast and other bodily swelling, and it also tends to cause menses to occur sooner. When vitex is used during proliferative phase, it doesn't tend to have the effect of alleviating hot-flashes and may possibly contribute to it.

In addition to when there may be hot-flashes during luteal, in theory, the best time of luteal phase to use vitex is once when there's acne. Vitex perhaps wouldn't have the desired result, if taken there's breast swelling during luteal.

Precautions

See precautions for more details of care to be taken with herb use. Proper nutrition is a consideration for health. Also, check for the latest blog updates about herb and hormone safety.

It is very important that menses be light and not prolonged.

If you have hirsutism, PCOS, hot-flashes, other signs of hormone imbalances, see estrogen-imbalance, and hirsutism program journals at hirusitism-topic before trying herbs.

Herb concentrates can be tens of times more potent by weight than herbs in solid form. This can easily lead to hormone imbalances. For this reason, concentrate extracts are not recommended for extended or excessive internal use, especially during fertility years. Concentrates shouldn't be used to overcome plateaus. Another issue with herbal extracts, is that they may not have the full range of properties of the herb. Essential oils are not recommended for breast enhancement. If opting to use herb extracts, use no more than 1 drop at a time diluted in a food-grade carrier oil (like unrefined olive oil), or water.