Vitex agnus-castus

The homeopathic remedy agnus castus is prepared with the dehydrated ripened berries as well as leaves and tender stem on the upper 10 cm or 4 inches of Vitex agnus castus, also known by other names, such as vitex, chaste tree, chaste berry, Abraham's balm or monk's pepper. Even the flowers of this aromatic shrub are harvested for medicinal use. The process of harvesting the berries entails tenderly stroking the ripened berries loose from the stem. The different parts of the chaste tree plant many be consumed in a variety of ways. The flowers and leaves as well as the berries of this herb can be drunk in the form of a decoction, syrup conventional tincture, elixir, cider vinegar tincture or even eaten directly taking them off from the plant as a therapeutic food. However, most people prefer to take this herbal plant in the form of a 1:1 fluid extract of the plant on an empty stomach after getting out of the bed in the morning. Consumption of the fluid extract of the plant in this proportion is believed to effectively work together with hormonal circadian rhythms. While the ripened berries of chaste tree plant are believed to be a stimulant for the male as well as female reproductive organs, the leaves also possess similar properties, but to a lesser extent. Very often, the chaste tree plant is denoted as the monk's pepper simply owing to the fact that initially it was used as medication for anti-libido. In fact, in the earlier days, the monks used this herb to help them retain their chastity. In prehistoric times, this herb was also considered to be an anaphrodisiac (a substance that has the potential to diminish sexual desire) and, therefore, the plant derived its name as the chaste tree. Nevertheless, there is still some dispute over the action of this herb on the reproductive organs, as some claim the plant to be an anaphrodisiac, while there are others who assert that Vitex agnus castus is an aphrodisiac (a substance that has the potency to increase sexual desires). It may be noted here that owing to the multifaceted means of action of this herb, it can possibly be both anaphrodisiac as well as aphrodisiac based on the concentration of the fluid extract and the physiological variations from one individual to another. In contemporary medications, this herb is practically used in such concentrations always that it would act either as a moderate aphrodisiac or be deficient on having any influence on libido provided the levels of prolactin (a protein hormone that induces as well as sustains lactation in the postpartum mammalian female) are normal. In addition, the homeopathic remedy agnus castus is also used as a carminative (any drug that expels stomach gas or provides relief from flatulence) and also as an anxiolytic (any medication that provides relief from anxiety). Individuals who respond well to the homeopathic remedy agnus castus are those who are always concerned regarding the physical and mental wellbeing, particularly their sexual health or libido. Such people may also possess a very strong intuition regarding their own death. Homeopathic physicians primarily prescribe agnus castus to people who have poor energy levels, suffer from depression, possess weak sexual vivacity and suffer from a low libido. As aforementioned, long back it was believed that the Vitex agnus castus plant was responsible for diminishing libido, hence, named the 'chaste tree'. Monks often chewed the leaves and flowers of this plant with a view to retain their chastity. Even today in Italy, the flowers of Vitex agnus castus are scattered in the path of learners joining a convent for the first time. The plant Vitex agnus castus has been traditionally used as an herbal supplement for women since long and is a very useful for curing several health conditions specifically related to women, for instance menstrual problems, abnormalities in menstrual cycles as well as in inducing production of breast milk.

Uses

The 'chaste tree' or Vitex agnus castus is a very useful aromatic shrub, and people have been using the different parts of the plant traditionally for various dissimilar purposes. The supple branches of this shrub have been used for making baskets, while the red fruits of the plant have been used to flavour foods. Even to this day, practitioners of herbal medicine make use of the agnus castus berries to boost production of hormones during menopause or PMS (premenstrual syndrome). It may be noted that Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of the alternative branch of medicine homeopathy, proved the efficacy of agnus castus sometime between 1826 and 1830. The homeopathic remedy agnus castus is extremely effective in treating the problems encountered by menopausal women. In addition, this medication is useful for curing physical collapse due to substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs, or owing to too frequent sexual intercourse. Homeopathic physicians also prescribe agnus castus to people suffering from exhaustion, nervousness, depressions accompanied by mental tediousness and hopelessness. People suffering from the above mentioned conditions often experience symptoms like premature ejaculation, especially men who had a very high sex drive earlier, while women experience absence of libido or desire for sexual activities, particularly when they attain menopause. In addition, this homeopathic medication is also useful for treating menstrual disorders, such as very insufficient or profuse menstrual flow. Women enduring enlarged uterus, probably with vaginal discharges that cause staining may also find this homeopathic medicine extremely useful. Women who have been suffering from lack of or much less breast milk following childbirth and those related to depression during postpartum also benefit from agnus castus. As aforementioned, in homeopathy, agnus castus is an effective medication for treating problems related to impotence, especially if the sexual dysfunction develops in a man following a prolonged period of frequent and heightened sexual activities. In fact, people who have a cold sensation in their genitals need the homeopathic remedy agnus castus most. Other people who might be requiring this medicine very much are those who always remain concerned about their wellbeing and loss of abilities to perform certain activities. Such people may also experience problems in concentrating or remembering things. The homeopathic remedy agnus castus is very useful for people who tend to forget things and are unable to remember anything or concentrate. Such patients actually are incapable of recollecting things. In addition, in order to comprehend or identify with something, such patients need to read something twice or more times. People who require this homeopathic remedy are neglectful, absent minded and also suffer from absence of courage or lack guts. As discussed earlier, this homeopathic remedy is also useful in treating impotency as well as infertility. People who need this medication are those who become completely impotent and their genitals become relaxed, cold and sagging. Such people lose all desire to participate in sexual activities, do not have any sexual power and even fantasies are unable to give a penile erection. Such people may have a history of recurring gonorrhea (an infectious venereal disease caused by a gonococcus). Interestingly enough, despite such misuse of sexual powers and the sufferings, such type of people do not have any disdain for themselves. In addition to curing the sexual dysfunctions in males, agnus castus is also a beneficial homeopathic medication for women and is useful in treating sterility among them. It is also beneficial for women who have lost all desire for sexual activities and particularly loathe having sexual intercourse. However, turning to the homeopathic remedy agnus castus may help them overcome these symptoms. Nursing mothers who have scant breast milk also find the homeopathic medication agnus castus very helpful in treating their condition. Turning to agnus castus helps to overcome agalactia (a deficiency of breast milk secretion after childbirth). Usually, agalactia is said to be associated with intense melancholy and an intuition of imminent death.