Vitex Research
41 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
Interventions to prevent or treat heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine-device use
Christelle K et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2022)
Findings from this review should be interpreted with caution due to low- and very low-certainty evidence.
- Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding Cu IUD Vitamin B1 resulted in fewer pads used per day (mean difference (MD) -7.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.50 to -5.50) and fewer bleeding days (MD -2.00, 95% CI -2.38 to -1.62; 1 trial; 110 women; low-certainty evidence) compared to placebo.
- The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of naproxen on the volume of menstruation compared to placebo (odds ratio (OR) 0.09, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.78; 1 trial, 40 women; very low-certainty evidence).
- Treatment with mefenamic acid resulted in less volume of blood loss compared to tranexamic acid (MD -64.26, 95% CI -105.65 to -22.87; 1 trial, 94 women; low-certainty evidence).
Vitex agnus-castus in Premenstrual Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Csupor D et al. • Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2019)
Vitex agnus-castus was significantly superior to placebo in treating premenstrual syndrome across pooled analyses.
- Vitex significantly reduced overall PMS symptom scores vs placebo
- Most effective for irritability, mood swings, and breast tenderness
- Standardized extracts (Ze 440 and BNO 1095) had strongest evidence
Vitex agnus-castus for PMS: A meta-analysis
Verkaik S et al. • PLoS One (2017)
Vitex was significantly more effective than placebo for PMS.
- Significant PMS symptom reduction
- Effective for physical and psychological symptoms
- Well-tolerated
Herbal treatments for alleviating premenstrual symptoms: a systematic review
Dante G et al. • Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology (2011)
However, more RCTs are required to account for the heterogeneity of the syndrome.
- John's Wort show an effect different than placebo.
- None of the herbs was associated with major health risks, although the reduced number of tested patients does not allow definitive conclusions on safety.
- Some herb remedies seem useful for the treatment of PMS.
The Effectiveness of Herbal Medicines on Cyclic Mastalgia: A Systematic Review on Meta-analysis
Mirzaee F et al. • Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetricia : revista da Federacao Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetricia (2022)
Herbal medicines and their subgroups may have effective and helpful effects on improving cyclic breast mastalgia.
- Also, chamomile, isoflavone, cinnamon, and nigella sativa significantly reduced mastalgia symptoms.
- Herbal medicines and their subgroups may have effective and helpful effects on improving cyclic breast mastalgia.
- The findings of our meta-analysis must be done cautiously because low methodological quality in some evaluated studies of this systematic review.
Native Iranian Medicinal Plants with Anti-Vaginal Infection Properties: A Systematic Review
Rashidipour M et al. • Infectious disorders drug targets (2022)
Therefore, native plants of Iran have been reported to have antimicrobial properties for the treatment of vaginal infections and can be used as a suitable and effective alternative to antibiotics in future research.
- Therefore, native plants of Iran have been reported to have antimicrobial properties for the treatment of vaginal infections and can be used as a suitable and effective alternative to antibiotics in future research.
- Published in Infectious disorders drug targets (2022)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Herbal medicine for depression and anxiety: A systematic review with assessment of potential psycho-oncologic relevance
Yeung KS et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
However, well-designed larger clinical trials are needed before these herbs can be recommended and to further assess their psycho-oncologic relevance.Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Overall, 45% of studies reported positive findings with fewer adverse effects compared with conventional medications.
- Based on available data, black cohosh, chamomile, chasteberry, lavender, passionflower, and saffron appear useful in mitigating anxiety or depression with favorable risk-benefit profiles compared to standard treatments.
- These may benefit cancer patients by minimizing medication load and accompanying side effects.
Efficacy of Cimicifuga racemosa, Hypericum perforatum and Agnus castus in the treatment of climacteric complaints: a systematic review
Laakmann E et al. • Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (2012)
CR monotherapy as well as HP and Agnus castus showed no better effect than placebo.
- CR monotherapy as well as HP and Agnus castus showed no better effect than placebo.
- The combination of CR with HP demonstrated a positive effect on climacteric complaints.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
A Critical Approach to Evaluating Clinical Efficacy, Adverse Events and Drug Interactions of Herbal Remedies
Izzo AA et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2016)
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- A critical evaluation of the clinical data regarding the adverse effects has shown that herbal remedies are generally better tolerated than synthetic medications.
- Nevertheless, potentially serious adverse events, including herb-drug interactions, have been described.
- This suggests the need to be vigilant when using herbal remedies, particularly in specific conditions, such as during pregnancy and in the paediatric population.
Polycystic ovaries and herbal remedies: A systematic review
Manouchehri A et al. • JBRA assisted reproduction (2023)
Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can improve PCOS symptoms in women with minimal side effects but a longer treatment cycle.
- Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can improve PCOS symptoms in women with minimal side effects but a longer treatment cycle.
- Published in JBRA assisted reproduction (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The effects of Vitex agnus-castus on menstrual bleeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Mollazadeh S et al. • Journal of complementary & integrative medicine (2019)
However, due to the relatively low quality of the papers, it is essential to perform clinical trials with an appropriate design to determine the effect of Vitex on menstrual bleeding.
- Only nausea and abdominal pain were reported as side effects of Vitex in the included studies.
- Conclusions The results of this study showed that the consumption of Vitex in the intervention group did not have a significant effect on menstrual bleeding in comparison with the placebo group.
- However, due to the relatively low quality of the papers, it is essential to perform clinical trials with an appropriate design to determine the effect of Vitex on menstrual bleeding.
Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trials
van Die MD et al. • Planta medica (2013)
Further research is recommended, and greater transparency in reporting for future trials.Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
- Adverse events with Vitex were mild and generally infrequent.
- The methodological quality of the included studies varied, but was generally moderate-to-high.
- Further research is recommended, and greater transparency in reporting for future trials.Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
Herbal Medicine for Oligomenorrhea and Amenorrhea: A Systematic Review of Ancient and Conventional Medicine
Moini Jazani A et al. • BioMed research international (2018)
Although just few plants have been proven to be effective for treatment of menstrual irregularities, the results and the classification in present study can be used as an outline for future studies and treatment.
- Systematic review examining Stinging Nettle Root efficacy
- Published in BioMed research international (2018)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Vitex Agnus-Castus for the Treatment of Cyclic Mastalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Ooi SL et al. • Journal of women's health (2002) (2020)
More high-quality clinical trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base.
- A conservative meta-analysis included only six studies (n = 718, VAC = 356, placebo = 362) and revealed a moderate effect size (SMD: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.5-0.85) favoring VAC over a placebo.
- VAC was safe and associated with only mild and reversible adverse events.
- However, the risk of bias in most studies was unclear due to insufficient information.
The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Verkaik S et al. • American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2017)
Although meta-analysis shows a large pooled effect of Vitex agnus castus in placebo-controlled trials, the high risk of bias, high heterogeneity, and risk of publication bias of the included studies preclude a definitive conclusion.
- The pooled effect of Vitex agnus castus in placebo-controlled trials was large (Hedges g, -1.21; 95% confidence interval, -1.53 to -0.88), but heterogeneity was extremely high (I2, 91%).
- Although meta-analysis shows a large pooled effect of Vitex agnus castus in placebo-controlled trials, the high risk of bias, high heterogeneity, and risk of publication bias of the included studies preclude a definitive conclusion.
- The pooled treatment effects should be viewed as merely explorative and, at best, overestimating the real treatment effect of Vitex agnus castus for premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
Vitex agnus-castus in Menopause: Phytochemistry, Mechanistic Insights, Clinical Applications, and Safety Perspectives
Sopjani M et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2026)
Although VAC extracts appear generally safe, effective, and well tolerated, further research is needed to clarify molecular targets, determine optimal dosing strategies, identify responsive patient subgroups, and standardize outcome measures to strengthen evidence-based clinical use.© 2026 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Emerging evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies suggests that VAC may modulate key neuroendocrine pathways involved in menopause through dopaminergic, phytoestrogenic, opioidergic, and indirect serotonergic mechanisms.
- These actions are proposed to influence prolactin regulation, estrogen receptor activity, mood stability, vasomotor symptoms, and overall hormonal balance during the menopausal transition.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge on the phytochemical composition and mechanistic pathways of VAC relevant to menopausal symptom management, alongside an evaluation of its safety and clinical tolerability.
Effects and treatment methods of acupuncture and herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder: systematic review
Jang SH et al. • BMC complementary and alternative medicine (2014)
Limited evidence supports the efficacy of alternative medicinal interventions such as acupuncture and herbal medicine in controlling premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
- Experimental groups with Acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment (all herbal medicine except Cirsium japonicum) had significantly improved results regarding PMS/PMDD.
- Limited evidence supports the efficacy of alternative medicinal interventions such as acupuncture and herbal medicine in controlling premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
- In both acupuncture and herbal medical interventions, there have been no serious adverse events reported, proving the safety of the interventions while most of the interventions provided over 50% relief of symptoms associated with PMS/PMDD.
Herbs, vitamins and minerals in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review
Whelan AM et al. • The Canadian journal of clinical pharmacology = Journal canadien de pharmacologie clinique (2009)
Only calcium had good quality evidence to support its use in PMS.
- Only calcium had good quality evidence to support its use in PMS.
- Further research is needed, using RCTs of adequate length, sufficient sample size, well-characterized products and measuring the effect on severity of individual PMS symptoms.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Safety and efficacy of chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) during pregnancy and lactation
Dugoua JJ et al. • The Canadian journal of clinical pharmacology = Journal canadien de pharmacologie clinique (2008)
Given its relatively common use amongst women of childbearing age, it is likely that some women may consume chastetree while unknowingly pregnant.
- Given its relatively common use amongst women of childbearing age, it is likely that some women may consume chastetree while unknowingly pregnant.
- Complementary and alternative medicine, midwifery and medical practitioners should be aware of this fact when prescribing chastetree to women of childbearing age, particularly when the patient is planning a family.
- Key words: Chastetree, vitex agnus-castus, pregnancy, lactation, breastfeeding, systematic review.
Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review of adverse events
Daniele C et al. • Drug safety (2005)
Although further rigorous studies are needed to assess the safety of VAC, the data available seem to indicate that VAC is a safe herbal medicine.
- No drug interactions were reported.
- Use of VAC should be avoided during pregnancy or lactation.
- Theoretically, VAC might also interfere with dopaminergic antagonists.