What is Vitex agnus-castus good for?
People use vitex agnus-castus for conditions related to the menstrual cycle such as breast pain and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It is also used for bone fractures, infertility, menopause symptoms, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Should you take Vitex everyday?
Answer: There are two schools of thought on how to take Vitex. Most herbalists say that you can take it every day for up to 18 months, unless you get pregnant. Some other sources say to take it for two weeks before ovulation than stop, just in case you are pregnant.
What does agnus castus do to hormones?
Vitex agnus castus, also known as chaste tree, has traditionally been used as a treatment for hormonal imbalances in women. Through its action on the pituitary gland, chaste tree increases progesterone production via an increase in luteinizing hormone.
How long does it take agnus castus to work?
It needs to be taken every day of the month, and it can take up to 3 months to reach its full effect. However, if you think about it, that’s only 3 cycles and fortunately, the majority of women notice improvements within 1-2!
Can Vitex cause liver damage?
The aqueous extract of Vitex doniana though used for the management of some illness such as diarrhea, jaundice, anemia, mental illness, rheumatism and as tranquilizer in man, has been observed in rats under the conditions of this study to be toxic to both the liver and kidney.
How long should you take Vitex?
How you should use Vitex. Vitex is a relatively slow-acting herb. Therefore you need to commit to taking it for up to 6 months to see any change in your cycles or improvement of symptoms.
Can Vitex cause weight gain?
Along with its desirable effects, one of the side effects of V. agnus-castus fruit is weight gain in consumers by stimulating the production of progesterone and reducing the level of prolactin (Ahangarpour, Najimi, & Farbood, 2016; Verkaik, Kamperman, van Westrhenen, & Schulte, 2017).
When is the best time to take Vitex?
The German Commission E monograph recommends a daily intake—30–40 mg of the dried herb—in capsules or in liquid preparations. Vitex is typically taken once in the morning with liquid for several months consecutively.
Who should not take agnus-castus?
The use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age is not recommended (see section 4.4 ‘Special warnings and precautions for use’). Hypersensitivity to Agnus castus or hypromellose. Patients with a pituitary disorder. Pregnancy or lactation.
Can Vitex make you gain weight?
Vitex agnus-castus fruit is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth appropriately. Uncommon side effects include upset stomach, nausea, itching, rash, headaches, acne, trouble sleeping, and weight gain.
Can you take agnus castus continuously?
As the effects of this product may not occur immediately, the tablets should be taken continuously for three months. If symptoms worsen, or do not improve after 3 months, a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted.
How long can you take Vitex?
For regulating cycles, vitex is most effective during the first three to six months of use. After that, its effects can attenuate. That’s why I usually recommend a six-month course, followed by a break to see if cycles are maintained. For premenstrual mood symptoms, it’s fine to take vitex long-term.
How long should you take vitex?
For premenstrual syndrome , frequent or heavy periods, vitex can be used continuously for four to six months. Infertile women with amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) can remain on vitex for 12 to 18 months, unless pregnancy occurs during treatment.
How do I get rid of hormonal belly fat?
Reducing belly fat requires a person to treat the underlying cause. A combination of diet and exercise may help symptoms. A person can perform exercises that burn fat, such as running, walking, and other aerobic activity. Reducing the calories a person consumes can also help.
How long should you take Vitex for?
Don’t take for too long
For regulating cycles, vitex is most effective during the first three to six months of use. After that, its effects can attenuate. That’s why I usually recommend a six-month course, followed by a break to see if cycles are maintained.
Does Vitex help weight loss?
Vitex’s possible contribution as a weight loss aid comes from its potential to ease water retention and bloating. The University of California-San Diego’s Health Library lists bloating as one of several PMS systems that vitex effectively treats.
How long does it take for Vitex to work?
For optimal results, Vitex should be taken long-term. Clinical research shows that Vitex may start working within 10 days, but full benefits may not be experienced until 6 months or longer.
How long does vitex take to work?
When should you not take Vitex?
Caution: Agnus castus should not be taken during pregnancy.
For premenstrual syndrome , frequent or heavy periods, vitex can be used continuously for four to six months. Infertile women with amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) can remain on vitex for 12 to 18 months, unless pregnancy occurs during treatment.
Can Vitex mess up your hormones?
Depending on the dose, Vitex may have very different effects. Low doses of Vitex have resulted in decreased estrogen levels and increased progesterone and prolactin levels—possibly caused by an inhibition of the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
What are the 3 fat burning hormones?
The hormones leptin and insulin, sex hormones and growth hormone influence our appetite, metabolism (the rate at which our body burns kilojoules for energy), and body fat distribution. People who are obese have levels of these hormones that encourage abnormal metabolism and the accumulation of body fat.
What causes big stomach in females?
If you eat too much and exercise too little, you’re likely to carry excess weight — including belly fat. Also, your muscle mass might diminish slightly with age, while fat increases.
Can vitex work immediately?
With its emphasis on long-term balancing of a woman’s hormonal system, vitex is not a fast-acting herb and is unlikely to give immediate relief to the discomfort associated with PMS. For premenstrual syndrome , frequent or heavy periods, vitex can be used continuously for four to six months.
When should I start taking vitex?
Because it works by promoting ovulation, vitex should be started early in the follicular phase and then continued until day 1 of the period. Taking regular breaks from vitex can prevent attenuation of its effects. If you have regular periods, take five days off from the first day of your period (day 1 to 5).