Chasteberry

© Steven Foster

This fact sheet provides basic information about chasteberry—

common names, what the science says, potential side effects and 

cautions, and resources for more information.

Common Names—chasteberry, chaste-tree berry, vitex, 

monk’s pepper

Latin Name—Vitex agnus-castus

Chasteberry is the fruit of the chaste tree, a small shrub-like tree native 

to Central Asia and the Mediterranean region. The name is thought to 

come from a belief that the plant promoted chastity—it is reported that 

monks in the Middle Ages used chasteberry to decrease sexual desire.

Chasteberry has been used for thousands of years, mostly by women to 

ease menstrual problems and to stimulate the production of breast 

milk. Currently, chasteberry is still used as a folk or traditional remedy 

for menstrual problems, such as premenstrual syndrome, as well as for 

symptoms of menopause, some types of infertility, and acne.

The dried ripe chasteberry is used to prepare liquid extracts or solid 

extracts that are put into capsules and tablets.

What the Science Says

• A few studies of chasteberry for premenstrual syndrome have found 

a benefit. However, most of these studies were not well designed, so 

firm conclusions cannot be drawn.

• Small studies suggest that chasteberry may help with breast pain 

and some types of infertility, but there is not enough reliable 

scientific evidence to determine whether chasteberry has any effect 

on these conditions.

• NCCAM has funded studies on chasteberry. Projects have explored 

how chasteberry works in the body and how it might affect 

symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Side Effects and Cautions

• Chasteberry has not been associated with serious side effects. However, it can cause 

gastrointestinal problems, acne-like rashes, and dizziness.

• Chasteberry may affect certain hormone levels. Women who are pregnant or taking birth 

control pills or who have a hormone-sensitive condition (such as breast cancer) should not 

use chasteberry.

• Because chasteberry may affect the dopamine system in the brain, people taking 

dopamine-related medications, such as certain antipsychotic drugs and Parkinson’s 

disease medications, should avoid using chasteberry.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give 

them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about 

complementary and alternative medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at 

nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

Sources

Chaste tree fruit. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs.

Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:62-64.

Chasteberry. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com 

on August 14, 2009.

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com 

on August 14, 2009.

Mahady GB, Dietz B, Michel JL. Chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. 

Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:95-103.

For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

(nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).

NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed® 

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the 

medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to 

discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of 

any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

D335

Created December 2006

Updated April 2012