Description
Agnus Castus Many symptoms are associated with alternations of the menstrual cycle: uterine cramping and copious menstrual flow. Mood alteration causes sadness, irritability, despair, and weeping. Breast swelling and tenderness. Bloating and distension of the abdominal area affected the uterine and intestinal systems.
The name “agnus castus” is originated from Latin and is derived from “castitas” (chastity) and “agnus” (lamb). This plant is known as the chaste tree, chaste berry, or monk’s pepper (Daniele et al., 2005; Ahmad et al., 2010a).
The leaves are used as a spice. The fruits of VAC are popularly used as a phytomedicine in Europe for the symptomatic treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause, because of it is hormone-like effect (Kuruüzüm-Uz et al., 2003; Li et al., 2002; Liu et al., 2004; Stojkovic et al., 2011).
The fruits of VAC are traditionally used as an emmenagogue, sedative, anaphrodisiac, and galactagogue for relief of premenstrual complaints, menopausal symptoms, lactation disorders, and other female problems (Choudhary et al., 2009; Hajdu et al., 2007).
The fruits of VAC contain flavonoids, terpenoids, iridoid glycosides, and essential and fatty oils. The therapeutic effects of this plant have been attributed especially to its diterpenoids which have dopaminergic activity (Berger et al., 2000; Hoberg et al., 1999).
Many clinical trials have confirmed that its fruit extracts have positive effects on PMS-related psychic and somatic complaints.
