Vitex

Both help with PMS symptoms

Comprehensive PMS support

⟡ B-Complex (especially B6)

B6 supports hormone metabolism

Enhanced hormonal balance

⟡ Evening Primrose Oil

Both support women's hormonal health

Comprehensive PMS and hormonal support

⟡ Shatavari

Both support women's hormonal health

Enhanced reproductive support

⟡ Spearmint

Vitex modulates LH/FSH ratios and progesterone, complementing spearmint's anti-androgenic effects in PCOS

Enhanced hormonal regulation addressing multiple axes of the reproductive endocrine system

Top studies from 36+ peer-reviewed papers

📚systematic-reviewn=3689

Christelle K et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2022)

“Findings from this review should be interpreted with caution due to low- and very low-certainty evidence.”

Key Findings:

Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding Cu IUD Vitamin B1 resulted in fewer pads used per day (mean difference (MD) -7.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.50 to -5.50) and fewer bleeding days (MD -2.00, 95% CI -2.38 to -1.62; 1 trial; 110 women; low-certainty evidence) compared to placebo.
The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of naproxen on the volume of menstruation compared to placebo (odds ratio (OR) 0.09, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.78; 1 trial, 40 women; very low-certainty evidence).
Treatment with mefenamic acid resulted in less volume of blood loss compared to tranexamic acid (MD -64.26, 95% CI -105.65 to -22.87; 1 trial, 94 women; low-certainty evidence).
However, there was no difference in duration of bleeding with treatment of mefenamic acid or tranexamic acid (MD 0.08 days, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.42, 2 trials, 152 women; low-certainty evidence).

📚meta-analysisn=1878

Csupor D et al. • Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2019)

“Vitex agnus-castus was significantly superior to placebo in treating premenstrual syndrome across pooled analyses.”

Key Findings:

Vitex significantly reduced overall PMS symptom scores vs placebo
Most effective for irritability, mood swings, and breast tenderness
Standardized extracts (Ze 440 and BNO 1095) had strongest evidence

📚systematic-review

Yeung KS et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)

“However, well-designed larger clinical trials are needed before these herbs can be recommended and to further assess their psycho-oncologic relevance.”

Key Findings:

Overall, 45% of studies reported positive findings with fewer adverse effects compared with conventional medications.
Based on available data, black cohosh, chamomile, chasteberry, lavender, passionflower, and saffron appear useful in mitigating anxiety or depression with favorable risk-benefit profiles compared to standard treatments.
These may benefit cancer patients by minimizing medication load and accompanying side effects.
However, well-designed larger clinical trials are needed before these herbs can be recommended and to further assess their psycho-oncologic relevance.

📚meta-analysis

Izzo AA et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2016)

“A critical evaluation of the clinical data regarding the adverse effects has shown that herbal remedies are generally better tolerated than synthetic medications.”

Key Findings:

A critical evaluation of the clinical data regarding the adverse effects has shown that herbal remedies are generally better tolerated than synthetic medications.
Nevertheless, potentially serious adverse events, including herb-drug interactions, have been described.
This suggests the need to be vigilant when using herbal remedies, particularly in specific conditions, such as during pregnancy and in the paediatric population.

📚systematic-reviewn=15

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

Manouchehri A et al. • JBRA assisted reproduction (2023)

“Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can improve PCOS symptoms in women with minimal side effects but a longer treatment cycle.”

Key Findings:

Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can improve PCOS symptoms in women with minimal side effects but a longer treatment cycle.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

View all 36+ studies

What would you like to do next?

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Vtx7.5

Vitex

botanical

Vitex agnus-castus (Chasteberry)

Leading herb for women's hormonal balance, with strong evidence for PMS relief and menstrual cycle regulation.

longevitywomen's healthPMShormonal balancemenstrual

36+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

moderate

Safety

20-40mg extract (standardized to 0.5% agnuside)

Dose

12-24 weeks

Time to Effect

Standardized extract (0.5% agnuside or 0.6% aucubin)

Best Form

Mechanisms of Action

🧠

Dopamine Modulation

Acts on dopamine receptors in the pituitary

⚖️

Hormonal Regulation

Helps balance estrogen and progesterone

Biological PathwayBeta

How Vitex works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Supplement

Molecular Target

Biological Process

Health Outcome

Strong

Moderate

Emerging

strong

moderate

emerging

Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research

Recommended Dose

20-40mg extract (standardized to 0.5% agnuside)

20mg extract40mg extract

Optimal Timing

Morning
Consistently at same time daily

Can be taken without food

Available Forms

Form	Type
💊Standardized extract (0.5% agnuside or 0.6% aucubin)	Recommended
💧Dried berry tincture	Alternative
🧪Whole berry powder	Alternative

Standardized extracts are most studied. BNO 1095 and Ze 440 are well-researched extract types.

Duration

Minimum: 12 weeks

Optimal: 24 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: Take continuously throughout the cycle, not just during luteal phase. Effects build over 2-3 cycles.

✨

PMS Relief

Significant reduction in PMS symptoms

📅 1-3 cycles

65% of users notice thispositive

📅

Cycle Regulation

More regular menstrual cycles

📅 2-3 cycles

55% of users notice thispositive

💫

Reduced Breast Tenderness

Less mastalgia/breast pain

📅 1-2 cycles

60% of users notice thispositive

ModerateMax safe dose: 40mg extract/day

🟡

Pregnant

Discontinue once pregnancy confirmed

🟡

Nursing

May reduce milk supply due to prolactin effects; use with caution

🟡

Trying to conceive

Often used to support fertility; discontinue upon pregnancy

Who Should NOT Take This

Pregnancy (discontinue when pregnant)
Hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, etc.)
IVF or fertility treatments (may interfere)

Drug Interactions

Hormonal contraceptivesmoderate

May reduce effectiveness

Dopamine agonists/antagonistsmoderate

May interact due to dopaminergic activity

Hormone replacement therapymoderate

May alter hormone levels

IVF medicationsmoderate

May interfere with protocols

Possible Side Effects

GI upset

milduncommon

Tip: Take with food if needed

Headache

milduncommon

Tip: Usually resolves

Skin reactions

mildrare

Tip: Discontinue if rash occurs

Cycle changes initially

mildcommon

Tip: Normal during adjustment; give 2-3 cycles

Warnings

Discontinue when pregnancy is confirmed
May reduce milk supply in nursing mothers
Takes 2-3 cycles to see full effects — be patient
May initially cause cycle irregularity before normalizing

⟡ Magnesium

Both help with PMS symptoms

Comprehensive PMS support

⟡ B-Complex (especially B6)

B6 supports hormone metabolism

Enhanced hormonal balance

⟡ Evening Primrose Oil

Both support women's hormonal health

Comprehensive PMS and hormonal support

⟡ Shatavari

Both support women's hormonal health

Enhanced reproductive support

⟡ Spearmint

Vitex modulates LH/FSH ratios and progesterone, complementing spearmint's anti-androgenic effects in PCOS

Enhanced hormonal regulation addressing multiple axes of the reproductive endocrine system

Top studies from 36+ peer-reviewed papers

📚systematic-reviewn=3689

Christelle K et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2022)

“Findings from this review should be interpreted with caution due to low- and very low-certainty evidence.”

Key Findings:

Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding Cu IUD Vitamin B1 resulted in fewer pads used per day (mean difference (MD) -7.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.50 to -5.50) and fewer bleeding days (MD -2.00, 95% CI -2.38 to -1.62; 1 trial; 110 women; low-certainty evidence) compared to placebo.
The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of naproxen on the volume of menstruation compared to placebo (odds ratio (OR) 0.09, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.78; 1 trial, 40 women; very low-certainty evidence).
Treatment with mefenamic acid resulted in less volume of blood loss compared to tranexamic acid (MD -64.26, 95% CI -105.65 to -22.87; 1 trial, 94 women; low-certainty evidence).
However, there was no difference in duration of bleeding with treatment of mefenamic acid or tranexamic acid (MD 0.08 days, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.42, 2 trials, 152 women; low-certainty evidence).

📚meta-analysisn=1878

Csupor D et al. • Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2019)

“Vitex agnus-castus was significantly superior to placebo in treating premenstrual syndrome across pooled analyses.”

Key Findings:

Vitex significantly reduced overall PMS symptom scores vs placebo
Most effective for irritability, mood swings, and breast tenderness
Standardized extracts (Ze 440 and BNO 1095) had strongest evidence

📚systematic-review

Yeung KS et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)

“However, well-designed larger clinical trials are needed before these herbs can be recommended and to further assess their psycho-oncologic relevance.”

Key Findings:

Overall, 45% of studies reported positive findings with fewer adverse effects compared with conventional medications.
Based on available data, black cohosh, chamomile, chasteberry, lavender, passionflower, and saffron appear useful in mitigating anxiety or depression with favorable risk-benefit profiles compared to standard treatments.
These may benefit cancer patients by minimizing medication load and accompanying side effects.
However, well-designed larger clinical trials are needed before these herbs can be recommended and to further assess their psycho-oncologic relevance.

📚meta-analysis

Izzo AA et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2016)

“A critical evaluation of the clinical data regarding the adverse effects has shown that herbal remedies are generally better tolerated than synthetic medications.”

Key Findings:

A critical evaluation of the clinical data regarding the adverse effects has shown that herbal remedies are generally better tolerated than synthetic medications.
Nevertheless, potentially serious adverse events, including herb-drug interactions, have been described.
This suggests the need to be vigilant when using herbal remedies, particularly in specific conditions, such as during pregnancy and in the paediatric population.

📚systematic-reviewn=15

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

Manouchehri A et al. • JBRA assisted reproduction (2023)

“Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can improve PCOS symptoms in women with minimal side effects but a longer treatment cycle.”

Key Findings:

Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can improve PCOS symptoms in women with minimal side effects but a longer treatment cycle.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

View all 36+ studies

What would you like to do next?

Related Supplements

Shv7.5

Shatavari

Premier women's tonic in Ayurveda that supports reproductive hormones, fertility, and lactation — the female counterpart to ashwagandha.

Dq8.5

Dong Quai

8.5/10

Promotes blood circulation and menstrual regularity — a cornerstone of Chinese medicine for women's health for 2,000+ years.

Ash7.5

Ashwagandha

Reduces cortisol and anxiety while improving sleep quality and physical recovery in stressed adults.

Bco7.5

Black Cohosh