Vitex agnus-castus
Vitex (chasteberry) is studied for PMS and menstrual-cycle related symptoms. Evidence quality varies by extract.
Overview
What is vitex agnus-castus?
Vitex Agnus-Castus is a shrub used to treat mastalgia or breast pain.
Dosage
A typical dose is 3-40 mg per day.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
13 conditions for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Database Snapshot
Most vitex agnus-castus research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) accounts for 14 of 36 studies (39%).
- Mastalgia accounts for 5 of 36 studies (14%).
- Menopause accounts for 3 of 36 studies (8%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Infertility, Menorrhagia, Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Safety
Oral vitex agnus-castus is likely safe at doses of up to 40 mg per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources35 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Mastalgia
5 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Mastalgia — The Effectiveness of Herbal Medicines on Cyclic Mastalgia: A Systematic Review on Meta-analysis2022
In a meta-analysis in women, 2 g/day, also, chamomile, isoflavone, cinnamon, and nigella sativa significantly reduced mastalgia symptoms.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Mastalgia — Vitex Agnus-Castus for the Treatment of Cyclic Mastalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2020
In a meta-analysis of 718 participants, 40 mg/day, vAC was effective in relieving breast pain intensity and lowering the increased serum prolactin level in reproductive age CM patients (18-45 years) with or without premenstrual syndromes.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Mastalgia — Effects of Vitex agnus and Flaxseed on cyclic mastalgia: A randomized controlled trial2016
In an RCT of 159 women with cyclical mastalgia, 25 g/day flaxseed powder and Vitex agnus both reduced breast pain over 2 months versus placebo, with no significant difference between active groups.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Mastalgia — Comparison of fructus agni casti and flurbiprofen in the treatment of cyclic mastalgia in premenopausal women2014
In a study in women, there was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups after treatment.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Mastalgia — Treatment of cyclical mastalgia with a solution containing a Vitex agnus castus extract: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study1999
In an RCT of 49 participants, after three cycles, the mean VAS-score reduction for women taking VACS was 34.3 mm, a reduction of 'borderline significance' (p=0.064) on statistical testing compared with placebo (25.7 mm).
SupplementDEX Database · Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
13 references6.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Effects of the PREMEN-CALM® in the Management of the Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study2024
In women with premenstrual syndrome, a phytotherapeutic supplement including GABA and plant extracts reduced symptom scores versus placebo over 3 months.
7.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Vitex agnus-castus in premenstrual syndrome: A meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials2019
In a meta-analysis in women, the random effects model was used to calculate summary relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
8.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review and meta-analysis2017
In a meta-analysis in women, there is a clear need for high-quality trials of appropriate size examining the effect of standardized extracts of Vitex agnus castus in comparison to placebo, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and oral contraceptives to establish relative efficacy.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Efficacy and safety of Vitex agnus-castus extract for treatment of premenstrual syndrome in Japanese patients: a prospective, open-label study2014
In an open-label trial of 69 participants, 20 mg VAC extract/day, this is the first study to report the effect of VAC extract in Japanese patients.
10.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Therapeutic effect of Vitex agnus castus in patients with premenstrual syndrome2012
In an RCT of 128 participants, for 6 days, vitex agnus can be considered as an effective and well tolerated treatment for the relief of symptoms of mild and moderate PMS.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Treatment of moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus (BNO 1095) in Chinese women2010
In an RCT of 67 participants, all the four symptom factor scores were significantly reduced by the 3rd treatment cycle.
12.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Evaluating therapeutic effect in symptoms of moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus (BNO 1095) in Chinese women2010
In an RCT of 67 participants, vitex agnus castus is more effective than placebo in the treatment of moderate-to-severe PMS in Chinese women, especially in symptoms of negative effect and insomnia.
14.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study2001
In an RCT of 178 participants, improvement in the main variable was greater in the active group compared with placebo group (P<0.001).
15.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Efficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)2000
In a clinical trial of 50 participants, 20 mg Vitex agnus castus extract/day, in conclusion, patients with PMS can be treated successfully with Vitex agnus-castus extract Ze 440, as indicated by clear improvement in the main effect parameter during treatment and the gradual return after cessation of treatment.
16.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with a phytopharmaceutical formulation containing Vitex agnus castus2000
In a clinical trial of 1,634 participants, hence, the risk/benefit ratio of the new Vitex preparation can be rated as very good, with significant efficacy for all aspects of the multifaceted and inhomogeneous clinical picture of PMS, with a safety profile comparable to other Vitex preparations.
17.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — Treatment of premenstrual tension syndrome with Vitex agnus castus controlled, double-blind study versus pyridoxine1997
A randomized trial of 90 women found that adverse events (gastrointestinal and lower abdominal complaints, skin manifestations and transitory headache) occurred in 5 patients under B6 and in 12 patients under VAC.
13.Vitex agnus castus: Successful treatment of moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome. See external sourceExternal source
18.A double-blind clinical trial on a herbal remedy for premenstrual syndrome: a case study. See external sourceExternal source
SupplementDEX Database · Fractures
1 reference19.SupplementDEX Database: Fractures — Effects of "vitex agnus castus" extract and magnesium supplementation, alone and in combination, on osteogenic and angiogenic factors and fracture healing in women with long bone fracture2014
In an RCT of 15 participants, 250 mg, for 8 weeks, there were no significant differences in the characteristic aspects of concern between the four groups at baseline.
SupplementDEX Database · Aging skin
1 reference20.SupplementDEX Database: Aging skin — Effects of a combination of botanical actives on skin health and antioxidant status in post-menopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial2022
In an RCT of 110 participants, for 12 weeks, these data indicate the supplementation with the formulated blend of four herbal extracts is supportive of skin health and antioxidant status in women of menopausal age.
SupplementDEX Database · Dysmenorrhea
1 reference21.SupplementDEX Database: Dysmenorrhea — Evaluation of the efficacy of Fructus agni casti in women with severe primary dysmenorrhea: a prospective comparative Doppler study2014
In an RCT of 30 participants, after using the drugs for three menstrual cycles, VAS scores were significantly dropped in both groups compared to before treatment values (P < 0.0001 for both); however, there were no significant differences in terms of Doppler findings between group 1 and 2.
SupplementDEX Database · Infertility
2 references22.SupplementDEX Database: Infertility — [The efficacy of the complex medication Phyto-Hypophyson L in female, hormone-related sterility. A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical double-blind study]2000
In an RCT of 67 participants, for 3 months, however, there was no significant effect when viewing the whole group.
23.SupplementDEX Database: Infertility — Mastodynon(R) bei weiblicher Sterilität1998
In an RCT of 7 participants, for 3–6 months, In women with sterility due to secondary amenorrhoea and luteal insufficiency, a treatment with Mastodynon can be recommended over a period of 3 to 6 months.
SupplementDEX Database · Insect repellent
1 reference24.SupplementDEX Database: Insect repellent — Extract of the seeds of the plant Vitex agnus castus proven to be highly efficacious as a repellent against ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and biting flies2005
In a study, in addition mosquitoes, biting flies and fleas are also repelled for about 6 h.
SupplementDEX Database · Low back pain
1 reference25.SupplementDEX Database: Low back pain — A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Dose-Response Trial of Muvz™ for Knee and Low-Back Support in Physically Active Adults2025
In 157 physically active adults aged 40–60, Muvz (containing Z. officinale) 200–400 mg/day for 90 days reduced joint discomfort and improved range of motion versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Menopause
3 references26.SupplementDEX Database: Menopause — Efficacy and Safety of Nutraceutical on Menopausal Symptoms in Post-Menopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial2022
In 101 postmenopausal women aged 45–60 over 12 weeks, a nutraceutical with soy isoflavones, black cohosh, chasteberry, and evening primrose oil reduced hot flushes, sweating, and irritability versus placebo.
27.SupplementDEX Database: Menopause — Comparison of Vitex agnus-castus Extracts with Placebo in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Double-Blind Study2019
In an RCT of 26 participants, administration of Vitex agnus-castus extracts as a phytoestrogenic medicine can alleviate menopausal symptoms in women.
28.SupplementDEX Database: Menopause — Effects of a combination of Nigella sativa and Vitex agnus-castus with citalopram on healthy menopausal women with hot flashes: results from a subpopulation analysis2019
In an RCT of 46 participants, for 8 weeks, at the end of the 8-week treatment period, analyses of covariance demonstrated the superiority of herbal combination with citalopram over placebo and citalopram for three MENQOL domain scores including vasomotor (p < .001), physical (p = .036), psychosocial (p = .001) but no significant...
SupplementDEX Database · Menorrhagia
2 references29.SupplementDEX Database: Menorrhagia — The effects of Vitex agnus-castus on menstrual bleeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis2019
In a meta-analysis in women, based on the subgroup analysis, the consumption of Vitex did not have a significant effect on the amount of menstrual bleeding compared to the placebo group in the first (mean difference [MD]: 3.08; 95% CI: -3.11-9.26; p=0.33; I2=0%) and second menstrual cycles (MD: 0.00; 95% CI: -5.75-5.75; p=1.00; I2=0%).
30.SupplementDEX Database: Menorrhagia — Comparing the effect of mefenamic Acid and vitex agnus on intrauterine device induced bleeding2013
In an RCT of 84 participants, mefenamic acid and vitex agnus were both effective on IUD induced bleeding; however, mefenamic acid was more effective.
31.SupplementDEX Database: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — Effect of Aslagh Capsule, a Traditional Compound Herbal Product on Oligomenorrhea in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Three-Arm, Open-label, Randomized, Controlled Trial2019
In an open-label trial of 50 participants, occurrence of menstrual bleeding was 87.2% in all patients, with no significant difference between the three groups (P> 0.05).
32.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) — [Psychic aspects of the premenstrual dysphoric disorders. New therapeutic strategies: our experience with Vitex agnus castus]2011
In an RCT in patients, this study confirms the data reported in the literature regarding the effectiveness of VAC therapy with no side effects.
33.SupplementDEX Database: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) — Fluoxetine versus Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder2003
In an RCT of 13 participants, for 2 months, however, fluoxetine was more effective for psychological symptoms while the extract diminished the physical symptoms.
SupplementDEX Database · Sexual dysfunction
2 references34.SupplementDEX Database: Sexual dysfunction — Vitagnus an estrogen-riched herbal remedy used in sexual dysfunction: A randomized clinical trial2023
In an RCT in postmenopausal women, for 8 weeks, data from Bonferroni post hoc test indicated that the mean total sexual function did not differ between the two groups before and at the end of the fourth week of intervention, but scores of total sexual function showed a significant difference at the end of the sixth ( P = 0/003) and...
35.SupplementDEX Database: Sexual dysfunction — The 4-month effect of Vitex agnus-castus plant on sexual function of women of reproductive age: A clinical trial2021
In an RCT of 51 participants, 4.8 mg/day, for 16 weeks, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to be able to decide on the prescription of this drug in the clinics.