Vitex and the Road to Balance: A Natural Ally for Hormonal Support

When I arrived at the final destination of a ten-month sojourn—set in motion after leaving a lucrative career and New York City, my home of 22 years—I found myself on an organic homestead in Selçuk, Turkey, owned by a mother and daughter. I was dealing with a tangle of symptoms that felt extreme for my usually healthy self. After months of travel without healthcare or routine—peppered with a bout of dengue fever, food poisoning, an identity crisis, and my 40th trip around the sun—I knew it was almost time to return home and begin the daunting process of untangling the root cause(s) so I could truly begin to heal.

Among the many downright scary symptoms, one that stood out was the irregularity of my period, along with shocking PMS symptoms—wild bloating, cramping, and emotional swings I had never experienced before. Ece, my host who quickly became a soul sister, suggested I try Vitex, also known as Chaste Tree Berry. She had just harvested a bountiful bunch she’d found on a nature walk. I had never heard of it before, and graciously began taking the wild, local dried berries each morning in warm water.

Although most research suggests Vitex takes 3–6 months to take effect, I could immediately feel a powerful energy ignite within me after ingesting this potent organic berry. Combined with a balanced Mediterranean diet full of healthy fats and vegetables—most grown on their land—along with living mountain water, fresh mountain air, long days spent in the garden tending to their herbs and plants, and plenty of laughter with my hosts, my cycle began to regulate, and my PMS symptoms softened. I knew then that I

wanted to share this powerful herbal medicine with others, especially as so many friends and family members were navigating their own journeys through through hormonal imbalances, irregular cycles, PMS, perimenopause, menopause, PCOS, and the emotional and physical toll these shifts can bring.

I’m honored to offer Vitex tincture —with berries harvested in Turkey, tinctured with love in Gloucester, Massachusetts and charged with Reiki.

Who Vitex Tincture Can Support 

Vitex agnus-castus, commonly known as chaste tree berry or simply Vitex, is a traditional herbal remedy with centuries of use in supporting hormonal balance for females. It works primarily through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, influencing the production of key hormones like prolactin and supporting the body’s own progesterone levels.

Vitex tincture is a powerful ally for hormonal balance, particularly where there is low progesterone, high prolactin, or irregular cycles. It is especially helpful during transitional life stages—such as coming off birth control, entering perimenopause, or managing cycle irregularities due to stress or lifestyle changes.

Women with Irregular Periods

• Why Vitex helps: Vitex may help regulate the menstrual cycle by modulating the pituitary gland, encouraging balanced release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)—both of which influence estrogen and progesterone levels.
• How it works: It gently supports the body in lengthening the luteal phase (the second half of the menstrual cycle), which is often too short in those with low progesterone.
• Ideal for: Those coming off hormonal birth control, irregular ovulation, stress-induced cycle disruptions.

PMS Symptoms

• Symptoms Vitex may help with: Mood swings, breast tenderness, irritability, bloating, anxiety, and sugar cravings.
• How it works: These symptoms are often associated with estrogen dominance or low progesterone. Vitex helps increase natural progesterone by lowering excess prolactin, which can disrupt the delicate hormonal feedback loop.

 Women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

• Why it may help: In some types of PCOS, particularly those involving irregular or absent ovulation, Vitex can support the return of a regular menstrual cycle.
• How it works: By promoting LH release and lowering prolactin, Vitex encourages ovulatory cycles in women whose cycles are suppressed or irregular.
• Caution: Vitex may not be appropriate for all types of PCOS—particularly those with high androgens/testosterone. It’s best to work with a practitioner for PCOS.

Menopause or Perimenopause

• Common symptoms supported: Hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, mood swings, low libido, brain fog, sleep issues.
• Why Vitex helps: It stimulates dopamine receptors to lower prolactin, indirectly supporting estrogen/progesterone balance even as these naturally decline.
• Benefit: Vitex can help smooth out hormonal fluctuations during the transition, especially early in perimenopause when cycles become irregular.

High Prolactin Levels (Hyperprolactinemia)

• Symptoms of high prolactin: Irregular periods, infertility, low libido, breast discharge (galactorrhea), headaches.
• Vitex’s action: It acts as a dopaminergic agent, stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain to reduce prolactin production from the pituitary gland.
• Result: Improved cycle regularity, fertility, and reduction of PMS-like symptoms.

Women with Luteal Phase Defect

• What it is: A shortened second half of the menstrual cycle, often due to insufficient progesterone. This can impair fertility and cause spotting, PMS, or irregular cycles.
• How Vitex helps: By increasing LH secretion, Vitex promotes stronger ovulation and better corpus luteum function (the structure that produces progesterone after ovulation).
• Ideal for: Those trying to conceive or address spotting between periods.

 Important Considerations:

• Vitex is slow-acting. It may take 3–6 months to show full effects, though some notice shifts earlier.
• It is best taken first thing in the morning, ideally on an empty stomach to support its effect on the pituitary.
• Not recommended for:
  • People taking dopamine-related psychiatric medications (it may interfere)
  • Those with hormone-sensitive conditions unless approved by a practitioner
  • Pregnant individuals unless under guidance

Dosage:

A strong daily dose of Vitex tincture typically ranges between 60-90 drops (about 3-4.5 mL), taken once in the morning on an empty stomach. Vitex requires consistency in dosage and may take 3-6 months before experiencing results, so be patient! 

As mentioned, take it consistently for at least 3-6 months for full effects on hormone balance.

Best taken in the morning, as Vitex influences dopamine and prolactin levels.

Can be mixed with water or tea to dilute the taste.

General Dosage Guidelines for Vitex Tincture:

• Mild Dose: 30-40 drops (1.5-2 mL)
• Moderate Dose: 40-60 drops (2-3 mL)
• Strong Dose: 60-90 drops (3-4.5 mL)

 

Here is a very non professional home video of me admiring all of the Chase Tree Berries I had just harvested at the homestead in Turkey! I love their peppery aroma!