Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 I've posted on this before, but I'll post again because there are many new list members... Vitex EO is not to be experimented with lightly. It is exceptionally powerful and rapid in action relative to many other " hormone-like " oils, and is a wonderful solution for alleviating uncomfortable perimenopausal symptoms in certain women. However, the oil has many side effects and contraindications and is not suitable for everyone. You should not use vitex if you are on birth control pills or patches, DepoProvera, or if you take prescription HRT of any type. You should not use vitex if you are pregnant or actively trying to become pregnant. You should not use vitex if you take anti-depressive or anti-psychotic medications. Yes, this includes all the popular SSRI meds that physicians are prescribing to everyone like candy. Using vitex may cause the following side effects: nausea, headaches, nightmares, formication, excessive menstrual bleeding, breakthrough bleeding. Vitex has been known to cause resumption of menses in women who are fully menopausal (have not experienced a menstrual period in over a year). While this may be desirable to some, it bears thinking about if you want to avoid an accidental midlife pregnancy. Personally, my body doesn't tolerate the stuff... too many unpleasant side effects. And I am very careful about whom I recommend vitex to... just because it's natural, that doesn't mean it's safe or necessarily appropriate. If you are unable to use this essential oil, there are plenty of other EOs, herbs, foods and supplements that can help you manage perimenopause/menopause naturally and safely. Katharine Koeppen Aromaceuticals Essential Oils from Artisan Distillers www.aromaceuticals.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 - > Using vitex may cause the following side effects: nausea, headaches, > nightmares, formication, Gosh, I had to look up the last one.... didn't think it was a typo :-P Now, that's one side effect I wouldn't want! formication n : hallucinated sensation that insects or snakes are crawling over the skin; a common side-effect of extensive use of cocaine or amphetamines Shelley _________ $0 Web Hosting with up to 120MB web space, 1000 MB Transfer 10 Personalized POP and Web E-mail Accounts, and much more. Signup at www.doteasy.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 > formication > > n : hallucinated sensation that insects or snakes > are crawling over the > skin; a common side-effect of extensive use of > cocaine or amphetamines Yikes! I " was " about to buy some! Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 Hiya Judy, I'm not telling anyone here to buy it or not buy it .. but I will tell you that as with ANYTHING, if it makes you feel bad don't use it (my husband can't drink chamomile tea, it makes him feel like his throat is closing and he can't breathe) .. but just for the record, I don't know anyone yet who has experienced that particular contraindication from taking a sniff or two of Vitex EO Just didn't want you to get creeped out unnecessarily <grinz> *Smile* Chris (list mom) http://www.alittleolfactory.com <http://www.alittleolfactory.com/> Earthfinds [earthfinds] > formication > > n : hallucinated sensation that insects or snakes > are crawling over the > skin; a common side-effect of extensive use of > cocaine or amphetamines Yikes! I " was " about to buy some! Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 I have been lurking for a while and have learnt a lot of very helpful things on this list and feel I must comment.. I am an aromatherapist and have been for several years. Needing help for all the problems with menopause and not being able to take any form of doctor prescribed hormone treatments because the side effects are too horrendous for me, I have to say sniffing Vitex and other essential oils have been the only things to help with flushes, night sweats, headaches, formication (which is awful) and burning feet. I say be careful with any form of therapy be it natural or prescribed, listen to your own body, and if it works for you that is wonderful, we are all different. If I find the Vitex isn't working, or it causes me any unwanted side effects, I will simply stop sniffing it. Jocelyn. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Actually I'm still going to buy some, just going to be careful about using it..... its like anything, not for everyone, but worth a trial... I remember when I started using eo's and blending them... it didn't take me long to appreciate that I should be very careful when dealing with the eo's that have powerful seditive effects... won't tell you about the vetiver/clary sage blend I did :-P !!!! I do think this list is great focusing on one herb/oil per week though. You end up learning alot! That's why I highlighted that word... didn't know what it meant at all! Shelley - > > formication > > > Yikes! I " was " about to buy some! > Judy _________ $0 Web Hosting with up to 120MB web space, 1000 MB Transfer 10 Personalized POP and Web E-mail Accounts, and much more. Signup at www.doteasy.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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