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

Perimenopause is the medical term for the transition into menopause, used to describe hormonal changes during the few years right before menopause. But lately it’s been increasingly used to describe any hormonal issues for women in their 40s, and now even 30s. Hormonal issues have a distinct cause or imbalance and we always want to make sure labeling something as “perimenopause” does not dismiss any investigation into the root cause. Knowing how to investigate the root cause of hormonal imbalances is key to women’s health.

Menopause is the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and a woman stops menstruating. The average age of menopause is 52. There is only one true “normal” symptom of menopause: the absence of menses. Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and sleep issues are all attributes of thyroid, liver, adrenal, and nervous system imbalances, not simply menopause.

Menopause is not a disorder, but a normal transition that is very smooth and symptom-free when the adrenals, thyroid, liver, and nervous system are supported. Your adrenal glands, which live above the kidneys, make hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. They also regulate your body’s stress response, among various other essential functions. When hormonal shifting happens due to anovulation (when you stop ovulating), the adrenal glands, as opposed to other endocrine glands, now become the primary production site for hormones. Stress actually depletes hormone production, therefore supporting your adrenals can be key in alleviating many hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Just stating you are “in perimenopause/menopause” is dismissive of adrenal fatigue.

And because hormones have a direct relationship with neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, assisting with adrenal hormonal output also helps stabilize feelings of sadness and anxiousness.

Did you know that night sweats are directly connected to functional liver health? It’s true! Supporting liver detox capabilities with milk thistle, NAC, DIM, and even liposomal glutathione addresses the actual cause of the night sweat: an overworked, imbalanced liver.

Vaginal dryness is a factor of low thyroid function, in addition to depleted hormones. Balancing out the liver and thyroid are common areas to address when women struggle with these symptoms. A couple of other great women’s health supplements are Calcium D-Glucarate and Indolplex–both from Integrative Therapeutics.

When we factor out age, we do see the real organ-system source of many hormonal problems. We need to watch for labels like “perimenopause” and even “menopause” in medicine to make sure they are not dismissive and we always need to work at the root cause. In women’s health especially, our symptoms are meaningful. Various changes to our hormones are not disorders. Too often, we fail to fully give reason or proper explanation to true imbalances or pathologies for women’s hormonal health.

Don’t let medical descriptors dismiss your true imbalances and know that more can be done to help your system. Naturopathic doctors or functional medicine doctors know how to address these imbalances and get the answers you need.

Peoples Wellness Center has practitioners that can help support you in your healthcare journeys. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. You can schedule a meet-and-greet appointment for free with me, or any of the Peoples practitioners! Call us at 512-219-8600.

Amy Nelson, ND* received her Naturopathic Doctorate from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR where she studied nutrition, homeopathy, herbal and functional medicine. In addition, Dr. Nelson was the Associate at The IBS Treatment Center in Santa Monica where she treated irritable bowel syndrome and complex food allergies. Dr. Nelson utilizes her experience in natural medicine to address female and male hormonal imbalances, mental health, and digestive disorders. Amy is available for consultation at Peoples Wellness Center.

*Although licensed in other states, Naturopathic Doctors are not currently licensed in Texas.

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

As a mother, nutritionist and full-time manager of the wellness team at Peoples, I’ve learned first-hand how physical and emotional stressors can sometimes take a toll. Several months ago I found myself juggling the full-time job of wellness manager with taking care of my family and I was ignoring the messages my body was sending. During this time I suffered from fatigue, poor sleep, worsened PMS and brain fog. I didn’t realize what was happening because I was used to being “Supermom!” I was experiencing severe adrenal fatigue and hence began looking for natural remedies. Read more →