Vitex Agnus castus, V. trifolia
Folk Names: Abraham's Balm, Arbre de Sant Josep (Tree of St Joseph), Chaste Lamb, Hagnos (Greek), Hemptree, Monk’s Pepper
Description: The chaste tree is spreading deciduous shrub of the vervain family, and native to the Mediterranean. Young shoots are covered in a fine, gray down. The leaves are opposite and composed of five to seven leaflets radiating from one main stalk from one to two and one-half inches long. (Vitex trifolia is known as the three-leaves Chaste Tree.) The leaflets are linear, lanceolate, and toothed. They are dark green, though a fine felt on the underside makes them appear gray underneath. Fragrant flowers appear in whorls on slender racemes from September to October. These are blue and white and three to six inches long, and sometimes branched. The berries which follow resemble peppercorns. They are dark purple and half covered by their dark green calyces. The aromatic berries are yellowish and hard inside with a warm, if bitter taste.
Effects: strong
Planet: Moon, Pluto
Element: earth
Associated Deities: Ceres, Demeter
Traditions:
For the Greek, the seeds represented chastity, and the leaves were used to invoke Ceres. Athenian matrons would make chains of the leaves and use them to decorate their couches during holy days sacred to Ceres. English use followed the belief that it would suppress the libido, as did the Catholic Church. In fact, the Church called it Chaste Lamb and suggested its neophyte monks carry it in their pockets to help in their vow of chastity.
Magic:
Chaste berries can be used to ensure fertility for the harvest. The powdered seeds and berries may be added to incense to draw down the moon, and the whole berries may be placed in your ritual cup.
Known Combinations:
none noted
Medical Indications: (Caution: Rare side effects in fewer than 2% of those using it include itching, rashes, gastrointestinal distress, and early menstruation. Chaste tree berry should be used during pregnancy and is generally not recommended for use during lactation.) Parts Used: ripe berries
Fresh berries have been pounded to a pulp and used as a tincture to relieve paralysis, pains in the limbs, and weakness.
The ancient Greek physicians- Hypocrates, Theophrast, and Dioscorides- all made reference to it, as did Greek historian Pliny The Elder, for suppressing the libido. There is nothing in contemporary scientific literature to suggest that it actually does suppress the libido however. It does have an excellent track record in relieving Premenstrual Syndrome. Specifically, it is effective in relieving insufficiency of the corpus luteum (luteal phase defect). Symptoms can include heavy or frequent periods, lack of ovulation, ovarian cysts, and sometimes lack of period. Chaste tree berry stimulates the production of leutinizing hormone, which in turn results in an increase in progesterone production, mimicking the corpus luteum function. Interestingly, it has no direct hormonal activity, and is therefore, NOT a phytoestrogen.
Nutrition:
Though the dried berries have been put to some use as a pepper substitute, they are really rather weak. Still they might be useful in a combination of herbs for BBQ or meat rubs.
Mercantile Uses:
none noted