Benefits of Vitex

Vitex may have several medicinal properties. This herbal product is claimed to be effective for several conditions, such as treating menstrual disorders, relieving menopause symptoms, and preventing miscarriages. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove these claimed benefits of vitex. It is also important to understand that herbs and supplements (including vitex) can be marketed in the United States without any evidence that they are safe or effective.

Vitex Supplement Information

Purported Vitex Benefits

Vitex (chasteberry) is claimed to be beneficial for a variety of different purposes. Some of the possible benefits include:

Treating the following conditions:

Menstrual disorders, including:

Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea)
Absent menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
Irregular bleeding between periods (metrorrhagia)
Infrequent menstrual periods (oligomenorrhea)
Frequent menstrual periods (polymenorrhea)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Infertility in women
Luteal phase defect (a specific cause for infertility in women)
Fibrocystic breasts
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Acne
Headaches, including migraines
Insomnia
The common cold
Nervousness

Relieving menopause symptoms
Preventing miscarriages in women with insufficient progesterone levels
Increasing breast milk supply
Decreasing sexual desire in men.

It is important to understand that herbs and supplements can be marketed in the United States without any evidence that they are safe or effective. Some of these claimed vitex benefits are more legitimate than others, although more research is necessary to confirm that vitex is truly effective for most uses (see Does Vitex Work?).

(Benefits of Vitex Continued: Page 2)