Vitex / Vitex agnus-castus

Commonly referred to as chaste tree, chasteberry, or monk’s pepper, Vitex has a long use in history and has been widely used medicinally amongst European and North American herbalists. Native to southwestern Europe and western Asia, Vitex is a large shrub that can grow to the size of a small tree, and grows rapidly and abundantly around Central Texas. In spring, it’s a pollinator’s delight with long spikes of purple flowers that turn into fragrant clusters of seeds or “berries” toward the end of summer. The seeds are used in herbal medicine today, but historically the leaves have also been used in medicine and the branches as an alternative to Willow in basketry or for weaving fences. In fact, the name, Vitex, is derived from a latin word meaning “wicker work.”

There were many ancient celebrations around fertility in Ancient Greece and Rome, where young women would carry the branches of Vitex to symbolize their chastity. Eventually it made its way into Christian ritual, and the seeds were given to monks to curb their desire, hence the name monk’s pepper.

Vitex use in herbal medicine dates back to Hippocrates’ time (over 2,500 years ago) for the treatment of hormone imbalances and other gynecological conditions, which it is still used for today. One of the most therapeutic uses of Vitex comes from its ability to normalize female sex hormones, and relieve the symptoms of high estrogen and low progesterone, making it a first choice in helping with PMS symptoms. Multiple clinical studies have proven its efficacy in reducing PMS symptoms when taken over 3-6 months, and Vitex has even become the treatment of choice amongst German gynecologists over prescription medications.

Vitex can also be effective in cases of irregular menstruation, symptoms of endometriosis, regulating ovulation, infertility, and can even help stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers.

Vitex’s use doesn’t stop at women though! Vitex is great in both men and women in all stages of life dealing with hormonal issues, and can be part of formulas for prostate health. For teens, it can be effective in hormonal acne, and can also help with the roller coaster of emotions during puberty.

All Peoples Rx locations carry Vitex in some form. From the single herb in capsules by Gaia, or Medi Herb, to standardized extracts by Integrative Therapeutics. We also carry a tincture made by one of our favorite local Austin herbalists, EZ Herbs. A personal favorite of mine is Gaia’s Vitex Elixir which is a blend of other hormone and liver-supporting herbs. Come on in and chat with a wellness specialist about Vitex!

 
Laurène Elliott-Deyris is an Herbalist and Wellness Specialist at Peoples Rx. She received her training at The Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in Austin and is furthering her clinical studies with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine program out of North Carolina.

 
 
Photo provided by Laurène Elliott-Deyris
**This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before use.**

If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com

Passionflower / Passiflora incarnata

It’s hard not to be captivated by the generous display of the striking purple flowers that the Passion vine offers us. Attracting a multitude of butterflies and pollinators, Passionflower is a persistent fruit-bearing vine that can quickly take over. Also known as Maypop, Passionflower boasts over 500 different varieties and colors usually found in tropical and semi-tropical climates across the globe. Texas has its own native varieties of Passionflower, but the deep purple Passiflora incarnata is considered the ‘official’ variety most often used in herbal medicine for sleep and stress support.

Passionflower has food and medicinal roots amongst many Native American tribes in the Southeastern U.S. as well as with many Indigenous cultures of Central and South America. It is said that the Passionflower was one of the first plants identified by Spanish settlers arriving in Florida in the early 16th century who noted that the flowers were a symbolic reflection of the Passion of Christ, from which Passionflower gets its name. After its discovery it was brought back to Europe where it became widely cultivated and a staple amongst folk herbalists and naturopaths in Western herbalism.

If you deal with sleep issues, Passionflower may become your new best friend! In herbal medicine today, Passionflower is used as a nervine, sedative, and as an antispasmodic. One of the most popular uses for Passionflower is its ability to promote restful sleep, especially in cases of insomnia due to circular thinking. It works directly on the central nervous system and has been shown to help increase GABA in the brain. It is often combined with other sleep-promoting herbs such as Valerian, Hops, and Chamomile. Some clinical studies comparing pharmaceuticals to Passionflower blended with other sedative herbs have found it to be as effective, making it a safe alternative. It is also effective in menopausal insomnia, and works well when paired with Motherwort.

In addition to sleep, Passionflower is often relied upon to help calm and soothe which makes it useful in cases of generalized stress. It can be useful in cases of mild hypertension, and is also often used for muscle spasms and nerve pain.

Passionflower is safe for everyone, and you will see it often in formulas for children and even pets! Peoples Rx has a number of supplements to offer that include Passionflower. We carry the single extract tincture by Gaia Herbs, or combined with CBD in a blend by Herb Pharm. It is part of many sleep formulas such as Pure Encapsulation’s Best Rest formula, Wishgarden’s Sleepy Nights, as well as many others! Stop in and have a chat about Passionflower with any of our knowledgeable Wellness Specialists!

 
Laurène Elliott-Deyris is an Herbalist and Wellness Specialist at Peoples Rx. She received her training at The Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in Austin and is furthering her clinical studies with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine program out of North Carolina.

 
 
Photo provided by Laurène Elliott-Deyris
**This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before use.**

If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com

Saw Palmetto / Serenoa repens

Saw Palmetto has long been held in regard for its role in male reproductive health. This plant is a member of the palm family, commonly seen in pine and maritime forests of the southeastern part of North America and the West Indies. It has a long history of medicinal use, including a spot in the United States Pharmacopeia around the early 1900s, but its use with the indigenous population of the southeast dates even farther back. All parts of the plant were used. The roots were a source of food, the berries for medicine, and the palmetto shaped leaves were fibers for basketry, rope, and roofing. In herbal medicine today, the berries are used. Although they are not very palatable, they are extremely nutritious and restorative as they are rich in phosphorus, calcium, potassium, fatty acids, phytosterols, flavonoids, and tannins.

While it’s great for several men’s health issues, Saw Palmetto has many other uses! It can be useful for the female reproductive system, and has even been shown to be effective for male pattern baldness. It was commonly used by Eclectic Medical Practitioners for conditions of the respiratory system and as a tonic for the urinary system. It has also been known to stimulate the appetite and support digestion.

We most commonly see Saw Palmetto used for prostate health in men, specifically in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Numerous clinical trials in Europe have shown it to be very effective in patients with BPH by improving the flow of urine, relieving pain, and reducing swelling. It has also been shown to inhibit further growth of the prostate and inhibits the enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

In women, Saw Palmetto can be combined with Vitex and is useful in cases of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS). It can aid in reducing ovarian pain and enlargement, and can be helpful in cases of infertility.

Peoples Rx carries several products containing Saw Palmetto in capsule form. You can find it alone by Gaia, or in blends such as the Male Libido formula. We also carry New Chapter’s Prostate 5LX Saw Palmetto blend, MegaFood’s Prostate Strength, and Premier Research Labs’ ProstaVen. Come on in to any Peoples Rx location and explore your options with one of our knowledgeable Wellness Specialists!

 
Laurène Elliott-Deyris is an Herbalist and Wellness Specialist at Peoples Rx. She received her training at The Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in Austin and is furthering her clinical studies with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine program out of North Carolina.

 
 
**This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before use.**

If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com

Hawthorn / Crataegus spp.

February is American Heart Month, and there’s no better herb to talk about for the heart than Hawthorn!

Hawthorn grows as a thorny, shrub-like tree with little red berries. It’s not generally seen in the south, as it is native to the northern hemispheres of North America, Europe, and Asia. In Western herbalism, it is known as one of the primary heart tonics. The leaf, flower, and berry of the Hawthorn tree are revered and utilized by ancient healing traditions across the globe.

Hawthorn berries are what we most commonly see in herbal preparations, either alone or in blends with other cardio tonics. It has many supportive actions for the body, the most significant being that it’s a superfood for the heart. Like all dark berries, Hawthorn is full of flavonoids–antioxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body to help reduce cellular oxidation and negative effects of inflammation.

Hawthorn can also be used to prevent blood vessel damage, regulate blood pressure, and improve overall circulation while strengthening the heart muscle itself. As a tonic, it is restorative to the tissues of the entire cardiovascular system. There have been extensive clinical studies out of Europe on Hawthorn, showing everything from lowering serum cholesterol, to support for congestive heart failure. If you or a family member have heart issues or a history of heart disease, it’s worth considering adding Hawthorn to your daily supplement regimen.

In addition to it being a powerhouse for the cardiovascular system, Hawthorn is also a wonderful tonic for the nervous system! It is calming and relaxing, and can be used throughout the day without making you feel tired or low in energy. Regular use can benefit the mood, and help smooth out the rough edges of an overactive nervous system. It works well with other herbs like Motherwort, Passionflower, and Cacao.

All Peoples Rx stores carry Hawthorn berry in a variety of preparations, from capsule of the berry alone to cardiovascular blends, and tincture blends for stress support. My favorite to suggest to customers is Gaia’s Hawthorn capsules or WishGarden’s Liquid Bliss tincture, which is a lovely blend to help nourish the nervous system. Stop in your favorite Peoples Rx location and chat with a Wellness Specialist to see how Hawthorn might benefit you!
 
Laurène Elliott-Deyris is an Herbalist and Wellness Specialist at Peoples Rx. She received her training at The Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in Austin and is furthering her clinical studies with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine program out of North Carolina.

 
 
Photo credit: Laurène Elliott-Deyris
**This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before use.**

If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com

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