Vitex Study

[Guest guest]

FYI: Janina Sorensen provided Greek Vitex .. the research is now using

Turkish Vitex agnus castus .. Leaf and Fruit EO and Fruit Hydrosol.

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[atpro] Vitex Research

Thu, 17 May 2001 21:29:43 -0600

Barbara Lucks <almasol

atpro

 

I see the Vitex Anthology as an ongoing project, though I am no longer

doing the work in such a formalway. I get e-mails from time to time

from some of the original participants, as well as ladies who were using

vitex on their own or have just started using it. If anyone is

interested in a copy of the standard information reporting form that we

used for the Anthology, please post me privately and I will send it to

you. It has to be snail mailed.

 

The answer is that yes, we need all the data we can get, though I feel

that my start needs to be refined and expanded on by someone who is

better at research than I, and who can dedicate some very focused time

(and a bit of money) to the project. Janina Sorensen, the physiologist

who distilled the berry oil, has some great ideas for more controlled

studies where women are tracked for several years through the process,

and hormonal levels are measured to determine a standard " starting

point " . I would be happy to put you in touch with her...folks who are

medical pros are more likely to have the resources to do this research

" properly " . Though I must say I was touched when several scientists who

heard my presentation at PIA took the time to tell me that they felt The

Vitex Anthology was a very sound piece of research.

 

To quickly answer your questions:

 

Most of the participants were self-disagnosed as being in the

perimenopausal to postmenopausal period. Some had lab work to support

hormonal changes, but, let me tell you, a woman KNOWS when her hormones

are changing. The ladies were born in the years between 1944-1958.

 

We assessed the impact of nine different syptom groups both before using

vitex and after three months of use. These symptom groups are detailed

on the information reporting form the ladies filled out.

 

The country of origin of the oil and ESPECIALLY the plant part distilled

is essential informatiion in evaluating the results.

 

The ladies used the oil in any way they chose, and they reported methods

of use on the info form. For those wishing to start using e.o. vitex, I

personally recommend starting with simple inhalation. It can take weeks

to feel an effect, though some effects are almost instant. Both herb and

oil act directly on the pituitary to balance progesterone.

 

Use with hormone replacement therapy is dodgy and requires a lot of fine

tuning. I personally use a combo of soy-derived estrogen and e.o. vitex

for the progesterone balance. (Yes, I have tried life without the

estrogen, and we really don't want to go there,at least not with me). I

need to see my doc about twice a year for monitoring. It appears that

the use of vitex really skews the progesterone part of the balance, and

a woman needs to find an open-minded doc to work with her.

 

Also, e.o. vitex, as well as the herb, can REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE

EFFECTIVENESS OF BIRTH CONTROL PILLS! Talk about a place you don't want

to go in your forties or fifties!

 

The " story " form of The Vitex Anthology will be published in

Aromatherapy Today, June 2001 issue. A different version, stripped down

to just the data (and with comparative GC's) is currently undergoing

peer review for a British nursing journal. This piece includes an

introduction to the herb, oil and current research written by Janina

Sorensen, and the entire collaborative effort was edited (bles her

heart) by Lowana Veal, a biologist. We should hear in a few weeks if we

have passed peer review.

 

Wish us luck!

 

So that's where we're at....and the work goes on.

 

Barbara

 

 

Paula Warren [paulawarren1]

Wednesday, May 16, 2001 6:10 AM

atpro

RE: [atpro] Finally!!

 

 

Thank you Barbara,

Your right about working relationships. I will keep you and this list

informed. I would like my work reviewed before I start any study.

Also I wanted to ask you if you still need data...I meet alot of women

that are interested in being a part of your Vitex research. I need to

know what target group that you are focusing on...age(pre or menopausal)

range...particular symptoms...what part of the plant oil...application

of the Vitex etc. Can the women already be on hormone replacement

therapy...will they need to go off their therapy? How long will they

be monitored for? Let me know...:)Paula