Pros & Cons of Chasteberry

Chasteberry, long used by monks to decrease their libidos, is recommended today by practitioners of alternative medicine to help women with symptoms around their menstrual cycles. The medicine, an extract from the fruit of the chasteberry tree, can help women regulate their menstrual cycles and also calm symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

PMS

• According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), chasteberry demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials when treating symptoms associated with PMS. While it proved most efficacious when treating breast tenderness and pain, chasteberry also helped ease other symptoms such as headache, constipation, mood swings, anger and depression. Chasteberry extract has many active properties, including flavonoids, which is a type of antioxidant. These properties help suppress the production of a hormone called prolactin, which helps create breast milk. By lowering the production of these hormones, the pain that occurs in the breast during PMS is reduced. According to AAFP, more than half the women in the study noticed a reduction in breast pain and other PMS symptoms after taking chasteberry extract.

Regular Cycles and Fertility

• Some doctors will recommend taking chasteberry extract to help maintain regular menstrual cycles and increase fertility. According to a clinical study published in AAFP's journal, women taking chasteberry became impregnated more easily than those who were not receiving the extract. Also, the study found that women taking chasteberry had more regular menstrual cycle than those who did not. Specifically, women who suffered from luteal phase defect and had trouble conceiving, noticed a marked improvement once they began taking chasteberry extract. While some doctors may say that chasteberry helps with lactation and regulating the libido, there is not enough evidence to prove either claim, according to the AAFP.

Cons

• Chasteberry is well tolerated in most cases, however it may interfere with drugs used for conditions such as Parkinson's disease. It should also not be used in conjunction with Bromocriptine, a drug used to to cut down levels of prolactin in the body. According to the AAFP, there were minor side effects to chasteberry during the clinical trials such as gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue, dizziness and dryness in the mouth. One woman had a seizure during the study, but researchers do not believe it was associated with chasteberry. Chasteberry extract is not meant to be taken for long periods at a time, and you should consult with your doctor before beginning any alternative substances.