---
title: The Bioactive Properties of Chaste Tree (Vitex)
description: Vitex (chaste tree) supports hormonal balance and menstrual comfort, with one meta-analysis finding a 2.57-fold likelihood of PMS relief over placebo.
image: https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casi/featured/9-12-chaste_tree.jpeg
---

An **educational publication of Designs for Health**

[For Practitioners →](https://www.designsforhealth.com)

[![casilogoresize2-2](https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png)](https://www.casi.org/)

[Home](https://www.casi.org/) [Science Update](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/science-update) [Research & Education](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/research-education) [Archive](https://www.casi.org/articles/all)

Search articles

Search

Research & Education

# The Bioactive Properties of Chaste Tree (Vitex)

CA Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT Sep 12, 2023

![The Bioactive Properties of Chaste Tree (Vitex)](https://www.casi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/casi/featured/9-12-chaste_tree.jpeg?width=960)

Chaste tree (*Vitex spp.*) is a botanical that has been used for centuries to support hormonal balance, healthy menstrual cycles, and reproductive health. Laboratory studies have identified over 150 chemical compounds found in chaste tree as potentially health-supportive. [Clinical research](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35893648/) suggests that chaste tree, particularly the species *Vitex agnus-castus,* may help support optimal ovarian function, menstrual comfort, and normal endometrial health.

[Laboratory studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35893648/) suggest that several of chaste tree’s constituents may support the inflammatory response. For instance, [two bioactive compounds](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35893648/) have been shown to potentially help support the preferential inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). [Agnusoside](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35893648/), an iridoid glycoside found in *V. agnus-castu*s has been shown to help modulate lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production.

Chaste tree may also help promote [antioxidative status](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35893648/), cellular health, and the body’s response to certain unwanted microbes. Four [flavonoids](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35893648/) found in *V. agnus-castus* have been shown in laboratory studies to promote healthy cellular activity in the presence of P388 cell lines. Other flavonoids and [bioactive compounds](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35893648/) in chaste tree have exhibited activity against *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* and *Cryptococcus neoformans.* Chaste tree may also act against certain unwanted [gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35916457/). 

Evidence from animal and clinical studies suggests that chaste tree may play a supportive role in hormonal balance. It is thought to help rebalance states of high [estrogen dominance](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35916457/) that may contribute to certain symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). [Botanical extracts](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35916457/) from *V. agnus-castus* may also increase aromatase enzyme activity and help convert testosterone into estradiol. An [animal study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35916457/) involving PCOS models attributed the observed improvement in sex hormone balance to the flavonoids and aromatase enzymes found in *V. agnus-castus*. 

A [meta-analysis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31780016/) of double-blind randomized controlled trials investigated the potential link between *V. agnus-castus* and premenstrual comfort. Three clinical trials involving over 500 participants were included in the meta-analysis. When compared to the placebo group, individuals receiving *V. agnus-castus* experienced [reductions in PMS complaints](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31780016/), including in parameters related to mood, bloating, and lower abdominal pain. The [treatment groups](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31780016/) were 2.57 times more likely to experience a reduction in complaints than placebo. Drawbacks of the meta-analysis include relatively few included studies, a small data pool, and incongruent study designs. While clinical conclusions cannot be made, evidence suggests that more clinical trials are warranted to further elucidate the efficacy of *V. agnus-castus* for PMS.

Chaste tree (vitex) is a botanical found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions that may help support menstrual health. It may also help promote a healthy inflammatory response, a healthy response to pain, and antioxidative status. 

On this page

Share

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Fbioactive-properties-of-chaste-tree) [X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Fbioactive-properties-of-chaste-tree&text=The+Bioactive+Properties+of+Chaste+Tree+%28Vitex%29) [Email](mailto:?subject=The%20Bioactive%20Properties%20of%20Chaste%20Tree%20%28Vitex%29&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Fbioactive-properties-of-chaste-tree)

CA

### Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT

Clinical Application

## Clinical Considerations in Practice

 In clinical practice, practitioners considering the topics discussed above may also weigh nutrient form, delivery and formulation, alongside individual patient variability.

### Practitioner Formulation Example

![FemGuard + Balance™](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/lemtscrs/production-www/57862730b87ccf26544491bb57e74ce01c55509f-2000x2000.png?w=128&h=128&fit=max&auto=format)

FemGuard + Balance™

Black cohosh, chaste tree, DIM and calcium d-glucarate · Capsules

[Explore Formulations →](https://www.designsforhealth.com/products/femguard-balance)

## Continue your research

#### [Science Update A Clinical Trial on Geranylgeraniol Supplementation for Testosterone Support in Middle-Aged Adults Jun 17, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/geranylgeraniol-supplementation-testosterone-support)

#### [Research & Education PCOS Is Now PMOS: Understanding the New Terminology and Its Metabolic Implications Jun 11, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/pcos-is-now-pmos-understanding-the-new-terminology-and-its-metabolic-implications)

#### [Science Update Integrative Management of Estrogen Dominance, Methylation Impairment, and Histamine Intolerance in Perimenopause: A Case Report Apr 23, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/integrative-management-of-estrogen-dominance-methylation-impairment-and-histamine-intolerance-in-perimenopause-a-case-report)

#### [Science Update A Case Report on Nutraceutical Support and Urinary Metabolite Testing on a 61-Year-Old Woman with Menopausal Challenges Feb 27, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/nutraceutical-support-urinary-metabolite-testing)

![casilogoresize2-2](https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png)

An educational publication of [**Designs for Health**](https://www.designsforhealth.com). Peer-reviewed nutrition science, free for everyone.

#### Sections

- [Science Update](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/science-update)
- [Research & Education](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/research-education)

#### Terms & Conditions

- [Privacy Notice](https://www.designsforhealth.com/privacy-notice)
- [Terms of Use](https://www.designsforhealth.com/terms-of-use)

CASI.org © 2026 All rights reserved

 Do not sell my personal information 

Built with care · Peer-reviewed since 1996

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BreadcrumbList",
  "itemListElement" : [ {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://www.casi.org/",
    "name" : "Home",
    "position" : 1
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://www.casi.org/articles",
    "name" : "The CASI Library",
    "position" : 2
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "name" : "The Bioactive Properties of Chaste Tree (Vitex)",
    "position" : 3
  } ]
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://www.casi.org/articles/bioactive-properties-of-chaste-tree",
  "@type" : "WebPage",
  "dateModified" : "2026-09-17"
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT",
    "url" : "https://www.casi.org/articles/author/cory-ambrose-nd-mat"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2023-09-12T04:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "The Bioactive Properties of Chaste Tree (Vitex)",
  "image" : [ "https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casi/featured/9-12-chaste_tree.jpeg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.casi.org/articles/bioactive-properties-of-chaste-tree",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png"
    },
    "name" : "CASI.org"
  }
}
```