What is the recommended dose of Vitex?

- **Look for:** Standardized fruit extract (Ze 440 or BNO 1095, most clinical data); standardized to 0.5% agnusides or 0.6% aucubin; 20-40mg per dose - **Avoid:** Unstandardized chasteberry powder ...

Ingredient Research

Graded against 178,763 supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Vitex

SupplementLast updated

AVELOR SUMMARY

Vitex (chasteberry) is the most evidence-backed herbal treatment for PMS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Our research shows it works by acting on dopamine D2 receptors in the pituitary, which reduces prolactin secretion and normalizes the progesterone:estrogen ratio during the luteal phase. A meta-analysis of 17 RCTs confirmed significant PMS symptom reduction, particularly for breast tenderness, mood changes, and irritability. The critical caution: vitex modulates the entire hypothalamic-pituitary axis, making it a potent hormonal modifier that should not be combined with hormonal medications without medical supervision.

WHAT IT DOES

Vitex's active compounds (diterpenes like rotundifuran and clerodadienol) bind dopamine D2 receptors in the anterior pituitary. This suppresses prolactin secretion, and elevated prolactin is associated with PMS symptoms (breast tenderness, mood changes, and luteal phase defects). By lowering prolactin, vitex: (1) normalizes the progesterone:estrogen ratio during the luteal phase; (2) restores GnRH pulsatility; (3) improves FSH/LH balance. The effect is specifically dopaminergic, not estrogenic or progestogenic, which distinguishes it mechanistically from other "female" herbs.

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Look for: Standardized fruit extract (Ze 440 or BNO 1095, most clinical data); standardized to 0.5% agnusides or 0.6% aucubin; 20-40mg per dose
Avoid: Unstandardized chasteberry powder (variable potency); "female balance" blends with undisclosed vitex amount; leaf preparations
Minimum effective dose: 20mg/day standardized extract
Third-party tested brands: Nature's Way (Femaprin, Ze 440 based), Gaia Herbs (Vitex Berry), Enzymatic Therapy

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Independently graded against 178,763 indexed supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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