Vitex Study 2000

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If you're thinking of using e.o. vitex agnus castus--

Sat, 16 Dec 2000 13:50:37 -0700

Barbara Lucks <almasol

aromatherapy

 

Here is some information that you may find useful.

 

I have popped back onto this list as a friend from another list

indicated there was a vitex thread where I might be helpful.

 

In nutshell, essential oils vitex agnus castus (from a variety of plant

parts) are showing strong andecdotal evidence of supporting progesterone

balance from menarche to menopause--and beyond. Based on a small

sampling of case studies (23, here is my conclusion:

 

" CONCLUSION

 

Clearly this data has to be viewed in light of the small number of

participants (23), as well as the totally subjective nature of both use

and measurement of success. My own personal conclusion is that e.o.

Vitex agnus castus of both berry and leaf extraction are exhibiting the

same balancing action that the literature attributes to the dried

berries. However, it may be possible that for a substantial number of

women, the leaf oil may be both broader and more refined in therapeutic

action. If this is indeed the case, the usable parts of the plant may

not be confined only to the berries. I would think that this would make

cultivation and distillation of the plant more economically feasible and

would likely result in an oil that is affordable to the average woman.

The versatility of application (“hot flash inhalers” and the use of the

essential oil in creams) is an attractive feature of the oil. " (Stuff

in quotes is copyrighted--please ask before you reproduce it)

 

I am purposely omitting the statistical data, because I don't want it

snipped off into little pieces and sent all over without the supporting

text. E.O. Vitex is still an experimental oil, though I have no reason

to assume that prudent use is likely to cause any harm. I would define

prudent use in self-care as inhalation or use in body creams at a 1%-2%

dilution.

 

If one is under the supervision of a medical professional who is in

accord with interal use of the oils, ingestion would be an option. These

strike me as particularly powerful and tricky oils. They can act as a

tuning-fork, or they can act as a sledge hammer. Less is more.

 

I would strongly suggest medical supervision if you are going to use the

oil internally. However, the data gathered in The Vitex Anthology

supports a pronounced effect simply by inhalation or dermal application,

so why take it farther than you need to? Various studies have shown

that e.o. vitex balanced progesterone levels by direct action on the

pituitary. The " active ingredient " has not been identified (thank

goodness!). Seems to me that inhalation is the fastest was to the

pituitary and avoids the liver for the most part. Even though internal

use was suggested to me by my supplier when I first used the oil (and I

personally felt no ill effects in 18 month of medically supervised

internal use), I can get what I need by inhalation or dermal

application. You may need more than I do--every one is different. I

would not rule out internal use, but I would exercise caution and

restraint.

 

In the Vitex Anthology, the women reported on a variety of menopausal

symptoms in what I would broadly call " head stuff " and " body stuff " .

Both the berry oil and the leaf oil were nicely effective in managing

" body stuff " --hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness. The leaf oil

appeared to be more effective at " head stuff " --mood swings, memory loss.

Keep in mind this was a very small group, and more research on both oils

is needed. I have just received a wee sample of an oil that is a

codistillation of leaves and berries, and, based on my sense of smell,

this is a THIRD oil. I don't have any anecdodal data on this oil--it

may well be a totally new oil.

 

I am not able to address the use of e.o. vitex for anything other than

menopausal balancing. Maybe others on this list have more information.

 

USE OF VITEX MAY VOID YOUR BIRTH CONTROL PILLS! Yikes! You don't want

that to happen, so heads up.

 

USE OF VITEX MAY INDUCE POST-MENOPAUSAL BLEEDING! Maybe not what you

had in mind if you are totally DONE. However, if you are now in the

" irregular period " phase--or have very heavy periods--the oil is showing

great promise in evening this phase out.

 

USE OF VITEX WILL LIKELY REQUIRE RECALIBRATION OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT

THERAPY. You need to work with your doc on this one. It is usually the

progesterone side of the equation that you will need to address.

 

DON'T USE VITEX IF YOU ARE PREGNANT.

 

I am posting a separate message soliciting further information from

women who are using the oil and may be willing the share their

experience. I am currently rewriting The Vitex Anthology in

collaboration with two other authors for submission to a nursing

journal.

 

I am aware of at least four suppliers offering at least three distinct

essential oils vitex agnus castus. Post me personally if you need these

sources. If you are a supplier who sells vitex, please post me so I may

include you in the referral list.

 

Many thanks,

Barbara

-----------

 

Vitex Research Continues

Sat, 16 Dec 2000 13:50:39 -0700

Barbara Lucks <almasol

aromatherapy

 

Dear List Sisters--

 

I am again looking for ladies who are using essential oil vitex for

menopausal balancing, or are considering using this essential oil.

 

Lowana Veal, Janina Sorensen and myself are rewriting The Vitex

Anthology for submission to a British nursing journal. This journal is

linked to Med-Line, and would make the information very accessible to a

lot of people.

 

We would very much like to include the experiences of more women who

have used the oil. As the initial project involved use of the oil for

at least three months, we are very much interested in the experience of

other women who have used the oil for at least three months. However, if

there is anyone who wants to start using the oil now, you would have two

months of use on which to report if you would like to add more data. I

will need to have all information in my hands by February 15, 2001 to

meet an early March deadline. We will present the data resulting from

less than three months use as just that-- " less than three months use "

 

Those of you who have followed the Vitex Anthology may know that we

currently have 23 detailed reports from women using both the leaf oil

and the berry oil. The participants of the initial project used the oil

in any way they chose, and reported their experience with nine common

menopausal symptoms on a standardized reporting form. A compilation of

this data was presented at the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy

Conference this past November. Several people expressed serious

interest in continuing the research and development on this essential

oil.

 

Those of you who are using the oil internally may be interested to know

that the initial results indicate that it often works just as well by

inhalation or use in skin creams. If you have concerns about regular

ingestion of essential oils (I am very conservative in my own use in

this manner), you may want to see if you can get the results you want by

inhalation or dermal application.

 

If you are interested in participating, please post me privately and I

will send you the standard information form. I can also refer you to

sources for both leaf and berry oils.

 

Feel free to forward this post to anyone whom you feel may be

interested.

 

Thanks in advance--

Barbara

---

Butch's Note: Dr. Chuck Woodfield has worked on this reseach too and is

willing to provide info. Chuck Woodfield <cwoodfield