BioAging: Monk’s pepper for menopausal symptoms

Countless women are affected every month by complaints such as headaches, abdominal discomfort, sleep disturbances and mood swings in their zest for life and their performance.

Vitex agnus castus – the monk’s pepper

Monk’s pepper is popularly called chaste mud. This name already explains the effect that was attributed to this plant in ancient times. In monasteries, the ground seeds were used as a spice powder in high doses to weaken the sex drive. However, at low doses it has the opposite effect.

Active ingredients

The black-brown fruits of the 2-3 meter high shrub, about 3.5 mm in size, contain iridoids, essential oil, flavonoids, bitter substance and fatty oil. Research proves an effect related to the body’s own messenger substance dopamine. Dopamine is a messenger substance and regulates the release of the hormone prolactin. Overproduction of prolactin often leads to feelings of tightness in the breasts, called mastodynia. Monk’s pepper is also thought to influence the release of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), two pituitary hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle.

Natural hormone regulation

It has been proven that the ingredients of the seeds, such as aucubin, agnuside, casticin, essential oils and special fatty acids, have a well-tolerated effect against premenstrual syndrome, as they stimulate the body’s own progesterone production. Thanks to this scientific evidence, Agnus castus has become one of the most important medicinal plants for female hormone regulation. Due to this cycle-regulating effect, women are more comfortable throughout the month and can go about their daily work in a more relaxed manner.

Application in medicine and naturopathy

Monk’s pepper is a medicinal plant that can be used to treat certain symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. It is used to treat cycle irregularities, bleeding disorders, pain during menstruation, mastodynia, hyperprolactinemia and for hormone regulation in menopausal symptoms. Monk’s pepper is also successfully used for testicular and prostate inflammation.

Intake Tip:

Monk’s pepper is available as a finished medicine in the form of capsules, tablets or drops. For dosage, please refer to the instruction leaflet.