What is it used for?
Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve premenstrual symptoms [Source note 3].
Used in Herbal Medicine (as a hormone normaliser) to help stabilise menstrual cycle irregularities [Source note 4].
Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flushes [Source note 5].
Note: The above uses can be combined on the product label (e.g. Used in Herbal Medicine as a hormone normaliser to help stabilise menstrual cycle irregularities and relieve premenstrual symptoms).
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years or older
How is it taken?
Oral [Source note 2]
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powder, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)
30 - 2000 milligrams of dried fruit, per day [Source note 6].
Notes:
*Solvents allowed for the method of preparation "Non-standardized extracts (Dry extract)" as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
When 'decoction' or 'infusion' is listed as an acceptable method of preparation, 'decoction concentrate' or 'infusion concentrate' is also allowed.
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
Use for at least 3 months to see beneficial effects [Source note 7].
Warnings and precautions
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking hormone-containing medications such as progesterone preparations, oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy [Source note 8].
When should it be avoided?
Do not use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or attempting to conceive unless you have consulted with a healthcare professional [Source note 9].
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitex agnus-castus |
| Vitex agnus-castus | Fruit | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024, Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Common names: USDA 2024, Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: Blumenthal 2000, Mills and Bone 2000.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- March 28, 2024
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.