Chaste berry, whole V. agnus-castus

Description

For centuries, chaste berry has been used for various conditions of concern to women. In fact, it was frequently recommended in the writings of Hippocrates and Dioscorides and is still the most commonly used botanical used in Europe to address premenstrual syndrome. It is sometimes combined with black cohosh or dong quai. Chastetree is a flowering shrub that is native to the Mediterranean region, where it once played a role in the product of baskets and other textiles. Chaste berry is commonly incorporated into tea blends. Powdered chaste can also be added to smoothies and other beverages. For centuries, chaste berry has had a reputation for curbing libido, which explains its common name. Also known as Monk’s Pepper and Cloister Pepper, the herb was cultivated and used as a seasoning in Medieval monasteries for this reason.

Because compounds in chaste berry appear to affect estrogen levels