Monk’s pepper if you want to have children? That’s how it works!

What is chaste tree?

Monk’s pepper (chaste tree, Vitex agnus castus) is a very old medicinal plant that originally comes from the Mediterranean region and southwest Asia. The fruits of the shrub are used to obtain medicines. They have a peppery aroma, as the name suggests. Already with the ancient Greeks, in antiquity and up to the Middle Ages, chaste tree was used, among other things, to promote menstrual bleeding. The medicinal plant was famous above all as a means of chastity because it triggers sexual reluctance . Today, chaste tree is one of the most commonly prescribed natural remedies in gynecology. But it doesn’t just help with infertility, but also for menopause symptoms, the treatment of premenstrual syndrome, menstrual pain, hormone regulation and the treatment of menstrual irregularities.

This is how chaste tree affects fertility

While there are many critical voices and little evidence of their effect on many remedies that are supposed to stimulate fertility, the effect of chasteberry has been clearly proven by many studies. Monk’s pepper has a positive effect on your hormone balance and helps to bring it into balance. It addresses the following hormonal disorders:

• Excessive prolactin levels : If you are under a lot of stress, suffer from premenstrual syndrome or an underactive thyroid, this often leads to excessive prolactin levels. Prolactin levels that are too high can massively disrupt egg maturation and ovulation and thus lead to shortened menstrual cycles. Taking chaste tree reduces the release of the hormone prolactin and can thus help to regulate the menstrual cycle.
• Yellow body weakness : High prolactin levels can also have a negative effect on the formation of luteal hormones (progesterone). One speaks then of a luteal insufficiency. The corpus luteum hormone is responsible for a good preparation of the uterine lining for the implantation of an egg cell. If it is not sufficiently available, the embryo may be aborted very early. Monk’s pepper can help here because it stimulates the pituitary gland (hypophysis) to produce more corpus luteum hormone (progesterone).

However, chaste tree can only help against mild to moderate hormonal imbalances. If the menstrual cycle is massively disrupted and there is no longer any real ovulation, further treatment options must be discussed with the doctor.

When should you avoid chaste tree?

• Because chaste tree lowers your prolactin level, you should not take any chaste tree preparations during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, there is nothing wrong with continuing to take them during the days when you are still unaware of your pregnancy. Because no harmful effect on you or the baby has been proven so far.
• Breastfeeding mothers should also not consume chaste tree, as it inhibits milk production and can cause menstrual bleeding to start prematurely.
• Monk’s pepper can also reduce the effect of psychologically active drugs from the group of dopamine receptor antagonists. However, since these drugs are mainly prescribed in connection with Parkinson’s disease, this limitation should only affect a few women.

What side effects can chaste tree have?

• itching
• Diarrhea
• sexual reluctance
• Existing psychological problems can be aggravated because chaste tree can reduce the effect of drugs from the group of dopamine receptor antagonists.

This is how you take chaste tree

Monk’s pepper is available as film-coated tablets, capsules or drops. It is taken in the form of medicines or as a spice over a longer period of time, preferably several months, and is freely available as a drug in pharmacies. You should still talk to your doctor about taking it beforehand, because the plant is not helpful and effective for all hormonal problems.