Herb Of The Week - Vitex - Article: A supreme hormonal tonic for women

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A wonderful article about Vitex by Jessica Godino of Red Moon Herbs ..

Compliments of Susun Weed

 

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Chris (list mom)

 

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http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Vitex_RedMoonHerbs.htm

 

VITEX - A supreme hormonal tonic for women

 

By Jessica Godino - Red Moon Herbs

 

Jessica Godino has been making herbal medicines since the age of

seventeen. After training with Susun Weed and studying health and

nutrition at The Evergreen State College, she founded Red Moon Herbs.

She lives in Asheville, NC with her husband Brett and her son Emrys.

 

VITEX

A supreme hormonal tonic for women

Outside my window a lovely little shrub with silvery leaves and clusters

of purple flowers is just beginning to bloom. Not only is this plant one

of the most beautiful in the garden, it is also one of the most valuable

herbs in my medicine chest.

 

Vitex, also known as Chasteberry or Monk's Pepper, has an ancient

reputation as an an-aphrodisiac for men. The leaves were strewn at the

feet of novices as they entered the monastery. However neither modern

science nor practical experience supports this particular use of the

plant!

 

I use Vitex as a supreme hormonal tonic for women. Both extensive

clinical studies, as well as over two thousand years of use in folk

medicine, have proven the effectiveness of this remedy. It works by

stimulating and normalizing the pituitary gland, which regulates the

balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body.

 

In a normal menstrual cycle estrogen is higher before ovulation and

progesterone is higher after. Many women don't realize that an imbalance

of these hormones can lead to the entire range of symptoms associated

with PMS and menopause! Vitex usually has the effect of enhancing

progesterone and decreasing estrogen levels.

 

Vitex itself has none of the hormonal building blocks that many of the

medicinal plants used for the reproductive system contain. Instead, this

herb nourishes and supports the endocrine system to find its own

balance. David Hoffman, a well-known herbalist, says " Vitex will always

enable what is appropriate to occur. "

 

Almost all of symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle can be

treated with this plant. It is the single best herb for treating the

many possible symptoms of PMS: cramps, flooding, headaches, depression,

water retention, constipation, acne, breast tenderness, and

irritability. It can help normalize irregular or scanty periods.

 

It is especially helpful for women who are coming off the birth control

pill. For many women, cycles remain irregular for up to two years after

stopping the pill. Vitex can greatly shorten that time and helps ease

the body into regaining its own natural rhythm.

 

It is a wonderful tonic to enhance the chances of conception through its

ability to regulate ovulation and if taken through the first trimester,

vitex will reduce the chances of miscarriage. After the birth, it helps

a new mother to produce plenty of milk.

 

Vitex also offers many benefits to women who are menopausal. It helps to

relieve many of the uncomfortable symptoms of this transition time,

including hot flashes, irregular cycles, depression, and flooding. Vitex

is also an indispensable remedy for women with uterine fibroids,

fibrocystic breasts, or endometriosis. All of these conditions

proliferate under the influence of estrogen and shrink under the

influence of progesterone.

 

This plant may be taken in tea form, although I prefer the tincture

(alcohol extract). The dosage of is usually 30-50 drops, three times per

day. Like all herbs, Vitex works best when combined with a lifestyle

that includes pure water, whole food, gentle exercise, and plenty of

self-love. Although you won't find it in the wild, Vitex is easy to grow

in our bioregion. Just remember to leave it plenty of space, since it

can get up to seventeen feet tall!

 

Vitex is a slow-acting herb. I usually recommend allowing three full

cycles for the plant to really work its magic, and many women take it

for up to several years. In the thousands of years that it has been in

use, there are no reports of even the mildest side effects. Vitex is a

safe, gentle, and effective remedy, with something to offer women in

every cycle of life.

 

Homebrew Vitex Extract

 

Fill a quart size mason jar one third full with ripe freshly harvested

Vitex berries. If fresh berries are unavailable to you, use high quality

dried ones. Fill the jar to the top with either 100 proof vodka, or

grain alcohol diluted to be 50% alcohol and 50% water. (Grain alcohol is

190 proof, which means that it is about 95% alcohol.) Cap tightly and

let the mixture sit for six weeks.

 

After the brewing period is over, strain off the berries, squeezing as

much of the liquid out of them as you can. Pour your extract into amber

bottles and store it in a cool dark place. If stored properly, it will

keep for years.

 

Congratulations, you should have a supply of Vitex to last you until

next year's harvest. If you plan to share it with friends, remember to

make extra!

 

You can also order vitex extract made by Jessica and Corinna

in the wild in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

 

Here is what Susun Weed has to say about Vitex

in her book NEW Menopausal Years The Wise Woman Way

(the following appears on page 73):

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus) is considered by some as the herbal

ally for menopausal women. It is especially important for the woman who

comes to her menopause through induced means. Consistent use (ok to use

for several years) increases the levels of progesterone and luteinizing

hormone (LH) in the blood. In the early menopausal years, this can be

helpful, but during the " melt-down " years, when too much LH dilates

blood vessels, causing hot flashes, panic attacks, and palpitations,

vitex can become too much of a good thing. (More, page 153.)