What Are the Side Effects of Chasteberry?

Chasteberry trees are small shrubs generally located in tropical climates, whose berries are harvested and dried for medicinal purposes. Chasteberry is thought to have an effect similar to progesterone, and is primarily used for variety of conditions related to a woman's reproductive system.

Significance

• Chasteberry is generally considered to be safe when used in the correct dosage outlines (dosages range from 200 to 400 mg of the standardized extract daily).

Side Effects

• Chasteberry side effects include stomach upset, nausea, headaches, rashes, changes in menstrual period duration and increased bleeding during menstruation.

Warnings

• Chasteberry is not to be used or combined with medications and pills that contain synthetic hormones, like various hormone replacement therapies and birth control pills.

Drug Interactions

• Chasteberry may obstruct the effectiveness of drugs like Bromocriptine, which can be administered to reduce prolactin levels.

Additional Medications

• Chasteberry is not recommended for people who are taking medications that operate by altering the brain's neurotransmitters (like dopamine); such medications are frequently used to treat psychological conditions, smoking cessation and Parkinson's disease.

Expert Insight

• Chasteberry supplements should be taken with extreme caution by nursing or pregnant women, or those who plan on becoming pregnant. Additionally, it's not recommended for children less than 10 years of age.

Considerations

• Chasteberry comes in tablets, capsules and liquid form, but is not intended to be used for an indefinite period of time; durations of usage range from several months to a year.