Compound or practice · Supplement
Vitex (Chasteberry)
One of the better-supported botanicals for PMS and cyclical breast pain, working through prolactin.
- Overall grade
- Grade B
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
3 at grade B — 3 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- PMS symptomsEvidence grade B
RCT support
Moderatemixed
- Cyclical breast painEvidence grade B
Reduced
Moderatemixed
Conditions
How the entry reads its effect on diagnosed conditions: the direction first, then the grade. Never a substitute for the person who treats you.
- PMS ImprovesEvidence grade BAcross cyclesGrade B
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Studies disagree: PMS symptoms (mixed agreement); Cyclical breast pain (mixed agreement).
- Caution with Oral contraceptives: Hormonal/dopaminergic activity — coordinate with contraception.
Interactions
Documented pairings with supplements and medicines. A medicine on this list is a conversation for whoever prescribes it.
Oral contraceptivesCaution
Hormonal/dopaminergic activity — coordinate with contraception.
The evidence in words
What it is
Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry) is a botanical used for premenstrual and menstrual-cycle symptoms.
How it works
It has dopaminergic activity that lowers prolactin, influencing the luteal phase and related symptoms.
What the evidence shows
Reasonable RCT support for reducing PMS symptoms and cyclical mastalgia (breast pain); some use in luteal-phase support. Effects are meaningful for a botanical in this space.
How to use it
Standardized extract (e.g., ~40 mg) daily across the cycle; give it 2–3 cycles.
Safety & interactions
Generally tolerated; its prolactin/dopamine action means caution with dopaminergic drugs, hormonal contraception, and in pregnancy. oral-contraceptives — Hormonal/dopaminergic activity — coordinate with contraception.
Bottom line
A genuinely useful PMS and breast-pain botanical. Take it daily across a few cycles; mind the hormonal/dopaminergic interactions.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- ~40 mg standardized daily, 2–3 cycles.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Vitex (Chasteberry) for PMSEvidence grade B — Across cyclesEvidence grade B
- Evening Primrose Oil (GLA) for PMSEvidence grade C — InconsistentEvidence grade C
- Vitex (Chasteberry) for Cyclical breast painEvidence grade B — ReducedEvidence grade B
- Vitex (Chasteberry) for PMS symptomsEvidence grade B — RCT supportEvidence grade B
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.