That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
Research suggests that by decreasing prolactin release, vitex helps balance levels of estrogen and progesterone.
This may decrease the severity of PMS and PMDD symptoms like mood swings, breast pain, and headaches.
Verywell / Getty Images
John’s wortand vitex found that it didn’t work any better than the placebo.
Infertility
There’s promising evidence that vitex may boost fertility.
A 2017 systematic review concluded vitex can contribute to the treatment of infertility in both men and women.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Hyperprolactanemia
Hyperprolactinemiais a condition in which levels of the hormone prolactin are too high in the blood.
However, there are only a small number of studies that have investigated vitex for this purpose.
What Happens if I Take Too Much?
Is It Safe to Take Vitex Every Day?
There are no official recommendations for how long you’ve got the option to take vitex.
Consult with your healthcare provider if you are considering using vitex daily and/or long-term.
Supplement Facts
Summary
Vitex is a plant-based supplement that may affect hormone levels.
However, stronger research data is needed to support these claims.
Vitex is generally considered safe, and its side effects are mild.
Puglia LT, Lowry J, Tamagno G.Vitex agnus castus effects on hyperprolactinaemia.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne).
St Louis: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Maedica (Bucur).
BMC Complement Altern Med.
2014 Dec 18;14:511. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-511
University of Rochester Medical Center.Chaste tree (chasteberry).
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.Vitex agnus-castus.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chasteberry.
