Chasteberry

PMID: 30000866

Abstract:

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) is the fruit (berries) from the chaste tree. The berries contain essential oils (e.g., limonene, sabinene, 1,8-cineole [eucalyptol]), iridoid glycosides (e.g., agnoside, aucubin), diterpines (e.g., vitexilactone, rotundifuran), and flavonoids (e.g., apigenin, castican, orientin, isovitexin). Chasteberry is often used for irregularities of the menstrual cycle, infertility, premenstrual complaints, and cyclical breast pain.[1][2] Some constituents, possibly the diterpene clerodadienols, bind to dopamine D2 receptors in the pituitary.[3] In low doses, chasteberry increases serum prolactin and it is a purported galactogogue;[4][5][6] however, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use and galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[7] Some evidence indicates that high doses of chasteberry decrease serum prolactin and might decrease lactation.[8] It has been used to decrease breastmilk oversupply in Persian traditional medicine.[9]
In general, chasteberry is well tolerated. The most frequent adverse events are nausea, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, menstrual disorders, acne, pruritus, and erythematous rash; however, all are mild and reversible. Among 352 nursing mothers given chasteberry tincture, 15 cases of pruritus, exanthema, urticaria, and some cases of early menstrual period occurred. Because of concerning safety data and possible lactation suppression, chasteberry should be avoided during lactation.[10]
Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products. More detailed information about dietary supplements is available elsewhere on the LactMed Web site.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP479981-A	Aucubin		479-98-1	Price

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