Key Takeaways:
- Chasteberry Background: Chasteberry (aka Vitex) is a plant from the Mediterranean that has been used in traditional medicine for a long time. Chasteberry is gaining popularity as a natural way to support hormone health and ease PMS symptoms.*¹-²
- Chasteberry And Midlife Hormone Shifts: Research suggests Vitex may also offer support for menopause-related symptoms, making it a versatile option for hormonal wellness throughout different life stages.¹
- Choosing A Chasteberry Supplement: Look for products with transparent sourcing, high purity standards, and a serving format that aligns with your daily routine. This helps ensure you're getting a supplement that's clean, pure, and fits well with your lifestyle choices.*
If you or someone you love is navigating the ups and downs of hormonal changes, you know how personal the journey can feel. The goal of maintaining balance, the dream of starting a family, or simply the desire to feel your best self—these goals aren’t just physical. They’re emotional, too. At Wholesome Story, we believe every woman’s story deserves care, support, and clean, nature-inspired products designed with transparency and trust at the core.
Chasteberry (also known as vitex or chaste tree berry) is a centuries-old herb gaining attention for its potential to support natural hormone balance.*¹ To be specific, it may be helpful for menopause symptoms and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) relief.*¹-²
In this article, we’ll walk through some science-backed benefits of chasteberry, offering helpful facts, supportive insights, and heartfelt guidance along the way. Whether you’re just starting your wellness journey or looking to grow into a new chapter, we’re grateful to be part of your story.
What Is Chasteberry?
Chasteberry, also known as vitex or chaste tree berry, grows on the Chaste Tree. This berry can be used to make herbal supplements. Chasteberry has been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries to support women’s health, especially for menstrual and menopausal support.³,⁴
How It Works In The Body
Chasteberry is believed to work by supporting the body's natural hormone-regulating processes.* Some research suggests that, for some people, chasteberry may help support normal levels of prolactin, which plays a role in overall hormonal balance.*¹
How It Supports Hormonal Balance
Because of its ability to influence prolactin, chasteberry may be useful for supporting symptoms related to menopause, such as mood changes and hot flashes.*¹ While more clinical studies are needed, early evidence and traditional use might suggest that vitex has promising effects on women’s hormonal wellness.*¹,³ Today, chasteberry is commonly used in both Europe and the U.S. as part of herbal support routines for menstrual health, menopause, and general reproductive wellness.*¹
Chasteberry And Fertility Health
Chasteberry is known for its long history in traditional herbal practices and its growing popularity today as a natural option for fertility support.*⁴ One area of study for chasteberry is its apparent ability to influence prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland.*¹
How Chasteberry May Support Fertility
Higher prolactin levels can sometimes affect the natural rhythm of a woman’s cycle, particularly during the luteal phase—the second half of the menstrual cycle.⁴ Research suggests that chasteberry may help support the healthy regulation of prolactin levels in the body.*⁴ If you're exploring gentle, nature-inspired ways to support hormone balance, chasteberry may be worth considering.* You can find it in various forms, includingchasteberry supplements and teas.
A Natural Addition To Your Fertility Routine
If you're looking for holistic options to support hormone balance and cycle regularity, chasteberry may be a helpful addition to your routine.*⁵ Pairing it with other wellness strategies—like balanced nutrition, rest, and additional supportive supplements—may offer even more benefits.* Just be sure to check with your healthcare provider before adding or combining any new supplements, so that you can be sure they're a good fit for your unique body and situation.
Fertility is a shared journey, and Wholesome Story also offers male fertility supplements formulated to support men’s reproductive health.* Backed by third-party testing and clean-label standards, these products are crafted with the same commitment to purity, transparency, and science-based care that we bring to all our supplements.
Chasteberry And Menopause Symptoms
As women move through the menopausal transition, symptoms like hot flashes, increased moodiness, and sleep changes can affect everyday life.¹ If this sounds like you, a chasteberry supplement might be the perfect way to start feeling like yourself again.*
A Study On Vitex And Menopausal Symptoms
In one study where no one knew who got the herb or the placebo, researchers studied the effects of vitex on menopausal symptoms in women aged 48 to 58.¹ A total of 52 participants completed the 8-week study. One group took a daily vitex supplement while the other took a placebo. At the end of the study, women in the vitex group saw significantly greater improvements in certain symptoms compared to those in the placebo group. Specifically, they reported fewer feelings of occasional anxiety and experienced fewer hot flashes and night sweats.¹
What This Means For Women
The study suggests that chasteberry benefits may include support for certain menopause-related symptoms, especially general feelings of anxiety and hot flashes.¹ However, more research is needed to understand exactly how vitex works and how it might be used in combination with other wellness strategies.
Chasteberry For Skin Health
During and after menopause, skin changes are common.⁶ So, it’s common for many women to start looking for gentle, supportive ways to maintain their skin’s health. Some are turning to plant-based alternatives. One promising ingredient found in some blends is chasteberry.*
Supporting Skin From Within
In one clinical study, researchers looked at the effects of a plant-based supplement on skin health in postmenopausal women.⁶ The supplement included a combination of herbal extracts, including Vitex agnus-castus, and was taken for 12 weeks. Participants who took the supplement saw improvements in skin texture, such as reduced roughness, smoother appearance, and better elasticity compared to those who took a placebo.⁶
While the study used a combination of ingredients, chasteberry’s antioxidant properties were noted as a possible contributor to the skin-supporting effects in post-menopausal women.⁶ Antioxidants help protect the body from oxidative stress, which is a natural process that can affect skin as we age.⁶ In this study, women taking the supplement also showed higher levels of glutathione (a key antioxidant) and lower levels of oxidative markers like MDA.⁶
A Gentle Option For Midlife Skin Support
Although more research is needed to isolate chasteberry’s specific role, these findings suggest that chasteberry benefits for skin may exist for women after menopause.⁶ By supporting the body’s antioxidant defenses, it’s possible that chasteberry could be part of a holistic routine for healthier-looking skin over time.
Relieving PMS Symptoms Naturally
For many women, the days leading up to a period can bring uncomfortable symptoms like mood swings, breast tenderness, and headaches.⁴ These symptoms are part of PMS, and while they’re common, they can still impact quality of life.⁴ One herbal option that has gained attention for its ability to support hormone balance during this time is chasteberry.⁴
Research Highlights
Scientific studies suggest that chasteberry may help ease PMS symptoms by supporting the body’s hormone balance—especially by helping to support healthy prolactin levels.⁴ When prolactin is too high, it can throw off levels of estrogen and progesterone, which may contribute to PMS symptoms like irritability, mood swings, and breast discomfort.⁴ In one study, 170 women took chasteberry tablets (or a placebo) daily for three consecutive menstrual cycles.⁷ The women who took the chasteberry pills reported fewer PMS symptoms, including irritability, mood alteration, anger, headache, and breast fullness.⁷
While more research is needed for stronger evidence, current findings suggest that chasteberry supplementation may be a helpful option for women seeking natural PMS support.*
Choosing A High-Quality Chasteberry Supplement
If you're ready to try chasteberry to support your hormonal health, it’s important to choose a supplement that reflects both quality and transparency. With so many options available—from capsules to tinctures to teas—knowing what to look for can help you make a more informed decision.
What to Look For In A Chasteberry Supplement
Start by checking the purity and sourcing. Look for brands that are willing to say where and how the herb is harvested and tested. Third-party testing is especially helpful for ensuring that the product meets high standards for ingredient quality and cleanliness.
Next, consider the form that fits best with your lifestyle. Chasteberry is available in capsules, teas, and liquid tinctures. Chasteberry tea benefits include a calming ritual and a tasty warm drink, while others prefer the convenience of capsules for daily use. Tinctures offer flexible dosing, but may have a stronger taste that isn’t for everyone.
Why Wholesome Story’s Vitex Is Different
At Wholesome Story, we offer Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry) in a convenient, vegan-friendly capsule format. Each bottle contains 120 vegetarian capsules with 500 mg of chasteberry extract per serving, crafted to support your monthly well-being and hormone balance.*
Our vitex supplement is made from the berries of the chaste tree and is thoughtfully formulated to support hormonal balance and overall reproductive health—without any unnecessary additives.*
If you're searching for a gentle, herbal option you can feel good about taking every day, our clean-label, plant-based formula is here to support you—honestly, simply, and naturally.*
Final Thoughts
From easing common PMS symptoms to supporting menstrual balance and fertility wellness, chasteberry offers a gentle, time-tested option for those seeking natural hormone support.*¹,⁴
At Wholesome Story, we’ve built our mission around helping women feel more in tune with their bodies, more supported in their journeys, and more confident in their choices. Our chasteberry supplement is just one way we hope to empower you to experience the joy and stability of a healthy hormone system—naturally, and on your terms.*
Read also:
- PMS Brain Fog Is Real - How To Clear The Mental Haze
- What Is Insulin Resistance?
- How To Buy Supplements - 10 Tips To Help You Get High-Quality, Safe Products That Are Right For Your Body
Frequently Asked Questions About Chasteberry Benefits
What is chasteberry?
Chasteberry (also known as vitex or chaste tree berry) is the fruit of the Vitex agnus-castus plant.⁴ It’s been used for centuries in traditional herbal practices to support women’s health, particularly around the menstrual cycle and hormone balance.³
How does chasteberry support hormonal balance?
Chasteberry is believed to help support hormonal balance by interacting with the pituitary gland, which plays a key role in regulating hormone levels.⁴ Research suggests, that for some people, it may help support healthy levels of prolactin, a hormone that can affect the balance of estrogen and progesterone, especially during the menstrual cycle.⁴
Is there scientific research supporting chasteberry benefits?
Yes, several clinical studies have explored the benefits of chasteberry for PMS symptoms, menopausal discomfort, and cycle-related hormone support.⁴ While more research is still needed, existing studies suggest chasteberry may help reduce breast tenderness, mood changes, and hot flashes in some women when used consistently over time.⁴
What forms of chasteberry supplements are available?
Chasteberry is available in a variety of forms, including capsules, teas, tinctures, and powders. At Wholesome Story, we offer a vegan-friendly capsule made with pure and clean ingredients. This format is convenient for daily use and designed with quality, purity, and ease in mind.
Will chasteberry help with breast tenderness?
Some research suggests that chasteberry may help alleviate breast tenderness that occurs before menstruation, a common symptom of PMS.⁴ This benefit is thought to be related to chasteberry’s influence on prolactin levels, which can affect breast tissue sensitivity for some women.⁷
How can chasteberry be incorporated into the diet?
Chasteberry is most often taken as a daily supplement. While it’s not typically consumed in food, many people enjoy the calming ritual of drinking chasteberry tea.* Always follow the product’s instructions and speak with a healthcare provider before adding a new supplement to your wellness plan, especially if you are breastfeeding or pregnant.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
- Naseri R, Farnia V, Yazdchi K, Alikhani M, Basanj B, Salemi S. Comparison of Vitex agnus-castus Extracts with Placebo in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Double-Blind Study. Korean Journal of Family Medicine. Published May 9, 2019. https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.18.0067
- Berger D, Schaffner W, Schrader E, et al. Efficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Arch Gynecol Obstet. Published 2000. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004040000123
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Chasteberry. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chasteberry
- Healthline. Vitex (Chasteberry): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, and More. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitex
- Chasteberry.” Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 31 May 2023, https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/chasteberry.
- Tumsutti P, Maiprasert M, Sugkraroek P, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Bumrungpert A. Effects of a combination of botanical actives on skin health and antioxidant status in post-menopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. Published May 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14345
- Schellenberg R. Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study. BMJ. Published 2001. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7279.134