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Vtx7.5
Vitex Research
Likely helpsModerate safety
38 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Vitex appears to help in 11 of 12 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1998–2026 with a typical study size of 46 participants.
Based on 38 studies · 6 meta-analyses · 17 RCTs · 3,335 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
11helped1unclear· 26 more without graded effect data
By outcome
PMS, mastalgia & menstrualMay help manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes · 4-8 weeks · Supports healthy estrogen metabolism and hormonal equilibrium · 4-8 weeks · May help reduce menstrual discomfort and PMS symptoms · 1-3 cycles
Likely helps31 studies
Safety profile
Likely helps14 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Fertility & reproductiveMay support reproductive health and fertility markers · 4-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Anxiety & stress
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Men's vitalityImproved menstrual regularity and hormonal balance within 1-3 cycles · 4-12 weeks
12 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2022
199820122026
1Premenstrual syndrome symptomsMeta-AnalysisCited 24×n=1,878 · large study2019
Vitex agnus-castus was significantly superior to placebo in treating premenstrual syndrome across pooled analyses.
Csupor D et al. · Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2019)
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
2Premenstrual symptomsSystematic ReviewCited 40×n=500 · large study2011
However, more RCTs are required to account for the heterogeneity of the syndrome.
Dante G et al. · Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology (2011)
John's Wort show an effect different than placebo.
None of the herbs was associated with major health risks, although the reduced number of tested patients does not allow definitive conclusions on safety.
Some herb remedies seem useful for the treatment of PMS.
3Cyclic mastalgia symptom reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 2×n=20 · very small study2022
Herbal medicines and their subgroups may have effective and helpful effects on improving cyclic breast mastalgia.
Mirzaee F et al. · Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetricia : revista da Federacao Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetricia (2022)
Therefore, native plants of Iran have been reported to have antimicrobial properties for the treatment of vaginal infections and can be used as a suitable and effective alternative to antibiotics in future research.
Rashidipour M et al. · Infectious disorders drug targets (2022)
Therefore, native plants of Iran have been reported to have antimicrobial properties for the treatment of vaginal infections and can be used as a suitable and effective alternative to antibiotics in future research.
However, well-designed larger clinical trials are needed before these herbs can be recommended and to further assess their psycho-oncologic relevance.
Yeung KS et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
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.
A critical evaluation of the clinical data regarding the adverse effects has shown that herbal remedies are generally better tolerated than synthetic medications.
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.
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.
However, due to the relatively low quality of the papers, it is essential to perform clinical trials with an appropriate design to determine the effect of Vitex on menstrual bleeding.
Mollazadeh S et al. · Journal of complementary & integrative medicine (2019)
Only nausea and abdominal pain were reported as side effects of Vitex in the included studies.
Conclusions The results of this study showed that the consumption of Vitex in the intervention group did not have a significant effect on menstrual bleeding in comparison with the placebo group.
However, due to the relatively low quality of the papers, it is essential to perform clinical trials with an appropriate design to determine the effect of Vitex on menstrual bleeding.
11Systematic ReviewCited 25×n=12 · very small study2018
Although just few plants have been proven to be effective for treatment of menstrual irregularities, the results and the classification in present study can be used as an outline for future studies and treatment.
Moini Jazani A et al. · BioMed research international (2018)
12Cyclic mastalgiaMeta-AnalysisCited 5×n=17 · very small study2020
More high-quality clinical trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base.
Ooi SL et al. · Journal of women's health (2002) (2020)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
A conservative meta-analysis included only six studies (n = 718, VAC = 356, placebo = 362) and revealed a moderate effect size (SMD: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.5-0.85) favoring VAC over a placebo.
VAC was safe and associated with only mild and reversible adverse events.
However, the risk of bias in most studies was unclear due to insufficient information.
13Premenstrual syndrome symptomsMeta-AnalysisCited 35×n=17 · very small study2017
Although meta-analysis shows a large pooled effect of Vitex agnus castus in placebo-controlled trials, the high risk of bias, high heterogeneity, and risk of publication bias of the included studies preclude a definitive conclusion.
Verkaik S et al. · American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2017)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The pooled effect of Vitex agnus castus in placebo-controlled trials was large (Hedges g, -1.21; 95% confidence interval, -1.53 to -0.88), but heterogeneity was extremely high (I2, 91%).
Although meta-analysis shows a large pooled effect of Vitex agnus castus in placebo-controlled trials, the high risk of bias, high heterogeneity, and risk of publication bias of the included studies preclude a definitive conclusion.
The pooled treatment effects should be viewed as merely explorative and, at best, overestimating the real treatment effect of Vitex agnus castus for premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
Sopjani M et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2026)
Emerging evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies suggests that VAC may modulate key neuroendocrine pathways involved in menopause through dopaminergic, phytoestrogenic, opioidergic, and indirect serotonergic mechanisms.
These actions are proposed to influence prolactin regulation, estrogen receptor activity, mood stability, vasomotor symptoms, and overall hormonal balance during the menopausal transition.
This review synthesizes current knowledge on the phytochemical composition and mechanistic pathways of VAC relevant to menopausal symptom management, alongside an evaluation of its safety and clinical tolerability.
15Premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptomsSystematic ReviewCited 38×n=19 · very small study2014
Limited evidence supports the efficacy of alternative medicinal interventions such as acupuncture and herbal medicine in controlling premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Jang SH et al. · BMC complementary and alternative medicine (2014)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Experimental groups with Acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment (all herbal medicine except Cirsium japonicum) had significantly improved results regarding PMS/PMDD.
Limited evidence supports the efficacy of alternative medicinal interventions such as acupuncture and herbal medicine in controlling premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
In both acupuncture and herbal medical interventions, there have been no serious adverse events reported, proving the safety of the interventions while most of the interventions provided over 50% relief of symptoms associated with PMS/PMDD.
Only calcium had good quality evidence to support its use in PMS.
Whelan AM et al. · The Canadian journal of clinical pharmacology = Journal canadien de pharmacologie clinique (2009)
Only calcium had good quality evidence to support its use in PMS.
Further research is needed, using RCTs of adequate length, sufficient sample size, well-characterized products and measuring the effect on severity of individual PMS symptoms.
Further research warranted to confirm findings
17Safety during pregnancy and lactationSystematic ReviewCited 31×2008
Given its relatively common use amongst women of childbearing age, it is likely that some women may consume chastetree while unknowingly pregnant.
Dugoua JJ et al. · The Canadian journal of clinical pharmacology = Journal canadien de pharmacologie clinique (2008)
Given its relatively common use amongst women of childbearing age, it is likely that some women may consume chastetree while unknowingly pregnant.
Complementary and alternative medicine, midwifery and medical practitioners should be aware of this fact when prescribing chastetree to women of childbearing age, particularly when the patient is planning a family.
Integrative medicine approaches in the clinical practice may help improve the health of women suffering from this and other gynecological conditions.
Herrera A et al. · Journal of dietary supplements (2024)
On the contrary, the between-group analysis showed no statistical differences, suggesting a plausible placebo effect.
The phytotherapeutic supplement PREMEN-CALM® might be effective in treating or alleviating the symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome without adverse events.
Integrative medicine approaches in the clinical practice may help improve the health of women suffering from this and other gynecological conditions.
20Low back pain and functional disabilityRCTCited 1×n=72 · small study2024
E-PR-01 significantly improved low back pain and bending flexibility in adults without adverse effects.
Srivastava S et al. · Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Compared to the placebo, the E-PR-01 demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in functional disability (mean RMQ score: -5.47 vs. -2.48), pain intensity (mean VAS score: -31.29 vs. -14.55) and improved bending flexibility (mean distance: -5.60 vs. -2.38 cm).
In addition, a significant improvement in work productivity as well as sleep quality was also observed.
In the E-PR-01 group, a statistically significant sustained effect was observed compared to the placebo for the pain intensity (p< 0.0005) and the functional activity (p< 0.0001) scores.