Search herbs
health diet weight loss nutrition

Links to Content

Vitamins
Minerals
Supplements

Weight Loss
Fitness
Nutrition
Skin Care

Allergies
Blog
Buy Wholesale

Product Resources
Minerals
Mineral Calcium
Mineral Chromium
Mineral Iron
Mineral Magnesium
Mineral Phosphorus
Mineral Potassium
Mineral Selenium
Mineral Zinc
Supplements
Bee Pollen
Beta Carotene
Coenzyme Q 10
DHEA
Pycnogenol
Vitamins
Vitamin A
Vitamin B-1
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-2
Vitamin B-3
Vitamin B-5
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin C
Vitamin Choline
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin Folic Acid
Vitamin K

A Brief History

Saftey
Gathering
Storing
Traditional Uses

Therapeutic Reference
List of Herbs
Acacia
Agrimony
Alfalfa
Allspice
Aloe Vera
Amaranth
Angelica
Anise
Apple
Arnica
Astragalus
Barberry
Barley Grass
Basil
Bay Laurel
Bayberry
Bearberry
Beech
Bergamot
Bilberry
Bistort
Black Cohosh
Black Haw
Blackberry
Blessed Thistle
Bloodroot
Blue Cohosh
Boneset
Borage
Broom
Buckthorn
Burdock
Calendula
Caraway
Cascara Sagrada
Catnip
Cat's Claw
Cayenne
Cedar
Chamomile
Chaparral
Chickweed
Cinnamon
Clover
Cloves
Coltsfoot
Comfrey
Conflower
Cramp Bark
Cranberry
Damiana
Dandelion
Devil's Claw
Dill
Dong Quai
Dragon's Blood
Echinacea
Elder
Elderberry
Elecampane
Eleuthero
Ephedra
Eucalyptus
Evening Primrose
Eyebright
False Unicorn
Fennel
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Flax
Fo Ti
Frankincense
Garlic
Gentian
Ginger
Ginko
Ginseng
Goldenrod
Goldenseal
Gotu Kola
Green Tea
Hawthorn
Hazel
Heather
Henbane
Holly
Hops
Horehound
Horse Chestnut
Horseradish
Horsetail
Hyssop
Iceland Moss
Irish Moss
Ivy
Jasmine
Jojoba
Juniper
Kava Kava
Kelp
Ladys Mantle
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Lemongrass
Licorice
Lobelia
Lovage
Mandrake
Marigold
Marjoram
Marshmallow
Meadowsweet
Milk Thistle
Motherwort
Mugwort
Mullein
Myrrh
Myrtle
Neem
Nettle
Nutmeg
Oak
Oats
Onion
Orange
Oregano
Oregon Grape Root
Orris
Parsley
Passionflower
Patchouli
Pau d' Arco
Pennyroyal
Peony
Peppermint
Periwinkle
Pipsissewa
Plantain
Poppy
Psyllium
Quassia
Queen Anne's Lace
Raspberry
Red Clover
Reishi
Rose
Rosemary
Rue
Safflower
Saffron
Sage
St. John's Wort
Sandalwood
Sarsaparilla
Sassafras
Saw Palmetto
Senna
Sheep Sorrel
Shepherds Purse
Skullcap
Slippery Elm
Solomon's Seal
Spearmint
Spikenard
Squawvine
Stinging Nettle
Sweet Woodruff
Taheebo
Tansy
Tarragon
Tea Tree
Thyme
Turmeric
Uva Ursi
Valerian
Verbena
Vervain
Violet
Vitex
Wahoo
Walnut
Wild Cherry
Wild Yam
Willow
Witch Hazel
Wood Betony
Wormwood
Yarrow
Yellow Dock
Yerba Mate
Yerba Santa
Yohimbe Bark
Yucca Root
Click Here for More Information!
FREE Musical Cards
Quote of the Moment

"The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation." - Mark Twain




Introduction to herbs

Vitex
Vitex agnus-castus

Source
Vitex, or chaste tree, is the fruit of a shrub in the verbena family native to west Asia and southwestern Europe. It was introduced throughout Europe at an early date and is naturalized in much of the southeastern United States. The fruits are grown commercially in Europe.

Traditional Use
Vitex has been used for menstrual difficulties for at least 2,500 years. Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) wrote, "If blood flows from the womb, let the woman drink dark wine in which the leaves of the vitex have been steeped." Its use for gynecological conditions is also noted in the works of Pliny (A.D. 23-79): "The trees furnish medicines that promote urine and menstruation." In the late 1800s American physicians used a tincture of the fresh berries to increase milk secretion and treat menstrual disorders.

Current Status
During the past forty years, research has focused on the use of vitex for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual difficulties. The biological activity cannot be attributed to a single chemical ingredient, though flavonoids are major components.

Between 5 and 30 percent of women may be affected by PMS. A 1992 survey of German gynecologists evaluated the effect of a vitex preparation on 1,542 women diagnosed with PMS. Both physicians and patients assessed effectiveness, with 90 percent reporting relief of symptoms after treatment averaging 25.3 days.

In one clinical drug-monitoring study on the effectiveness and safety of long-term treatment with a vitex fruit tincture, 1,571 women with menstrual disorders and PMS were followed for a period of seven days to six years (average 147.6 days). In 90 percent of patients, the treatment eliminated or alleviated symptoms of PMS.

German health authorities allow vitex preparations for disorders of the menstrual cycle, pressure and swelling in the breasts, and PMS. In Germany, vitex preparations are frequently used in the safe and effective treatment of PMS, heavy or too frequent periods, acyclic bleeding, infertility, suppressed menses, and other conditions. Vitex is an excellent example of an herbal medicine which serves as a low-priced tool in European gynecological practice, rather than as an " alternative" to conventional treatment.

Preparations
Most European clinical studies have been done on a proprietary extract (tincture) and capsules called Agnolyt. In the United States the dried fruit is available in whole or pulverized form, capsules, tinctures, tablets, and other preparations.

Cautions
Do not use vitex if you are pregnant or receiving hormone replacement therapy. Rare side effects include early menstruation following delivery (resulting from activation of the pituitary), as well as rare cases of itching, rashes, and gastrointestinal symptoms. In clinical trials, side effects have been reported in fewer than 2 percent of patients.

Symptoms
Menopausal difficulties
Menstrual difficulties
PMS

NOTE: The information contained within the web site is for educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for seeking the advice of a qualified physician and/or naturopathic doctor, and the information given within is not meant to replace modern medicines or established medical treatments without the proper guidance of a qualified health practitioner. It is only meant for educational purposes. AllNatural.net and its representatives make no claims as to the ability of plants and their derivitives to cure you or treat you of any ailment known to man. Before using any plants and their derivitives you should seek the advice and training of a qualified professional and your personal physician. DO seek guidance if you do not know how to use these plants and their derivitives properly. AllNatural.net and its representatives will not be held responsible for the improper ingestion or other improper uses of plants and their derivitives. By use of this web site and the information contained herein you agree to hold harmless AllNatural.Net and its suppliers, heirs, employees and affiliates and you agree to the terms contained within the privacy and site use policy.

E-mail

All Natural.Net
Your Online Reference to Health, Diet, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Vitamins, Minerals & Chinese Herbs

Dotted Line

Website Design created by:
IMCD Web Design

Copyright © 1998 All Rights Reserved