I’ve been asked a few times in the last week about Chaste tree or Vitex (vitex agnus-castus) used in regulating menstrual cycles and assisting with fertility. The thing about any herbs, is that they work by a specific biological action. If the reason your cycle needs regulating is not due to a problem with that specific biological action, they will be a waste of time and money. Vitex has been shown to reduce prolactin secretion, normalise a shortened luteal phase (second phase) as well as increase mid-luteal progesterone and oestradiol levels. Which is fantastic if those are the reasons you specifically are not falling pregnant or suffering from irregular or painful menstrual cycles. However, if none of these are a problem for you, Chaste tree supplements will not help.
The fantastic thing about Chinese medicine, is we take your individual case to treat you uniquely with acupuncture, moxibustion and herbs. Try not to get too caught up in hype surrounding the ‘latest’ herbs or supplements for fertility. They’ve been around for centuries, it’s just the marketing that changes.
Talk to a health professional before self prescribing. It might be more expensive, but the individual results will be worth it.