What is Vitex?
Vitex, or Vitex agnus-castus is an herbal supplement which has various effects upon the reproductive systems of both men and women. Vitex has been used throughout history to actually reduce the sex drive of both men and women, and is also known as chaste tree, chaste berry, and monk’s pepper. Native to the Mediterranean, vitex is also grown on the East Coast of the United States. The plant produces black peppercorn-like berries, which were used by ancient Romans. Medieval monks and priestesses ate vitex berries to aid them in keeping their vows of chastity. In addition, vitex was used in the ancient Roman world to both stop women from hemorrhaging after childbirth and to increase the milk supply of nursing mothers. Vitex may help in treating PMS, insufficient milk supply in nursing women, irregular menstrual cycles, and decreasing male sex drive. Vitex works by acting on the pituitary gland, increasing production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and decreasing follicle stimulating hormone (
