Monk’s pepper is an effective medicinal plant, which is mainly used for the treatment of women’s ailments. However, men can also benefit from the effects of its healthy ingredients. The healing power of monk’s pepper was already known in ancient times.
Occurrence and cultivation of monk’s pepper.
The botanically correct name of monk’s pepper is “Vitex Agnus Castus“. The botanically correct name of monk’s pepper is “Vitex Agnus Castus“. Translated, it means “chaste lamb.” And so you can find the monk’s pepper in every old monastery garden, because in the male order it was supposed to drive away the carnal desires of the monks. This is probably where the first part of the name comes from. Monk’s pepper, taken in larger quantities, has a desire-dampening effect on men. The woman benefits from its balancing effect in relation to the sexual organs. As a location, the monk’s pepper shrub prefers moist places such as embankments or wet meadows. It is widespread and grows even in the Balkans and India. Its blue-purple flowers bear small fruits in late summer that have a pungent, slightly peppery taste, which explains the second part of its name.
Application and use
Monk’s pepper, or “chaste mud” as it is also called, is recognized as a medicinal plant. The ESCOP Commission and the E Commission, both renowned scientific bodies for the evaluation of herbal remedies, independently confirm its effectiveness, especially for women with some typical complaints. Vitex Agnus Castus, with its hormone-like active ingredients – referred to as phytohormones – can influence the hormonal balance of women and thus balance the natural fluctuations in the female cycle. Since a positive effect is also attributed to it in prostate disorders and testicular inflammation, monk’s pepper is also a valuable remedy for men. Especially the crushed fruits are offered in capsule form, dragee (mono- or combination preparations) or drops, the leaves as tea. The preparations should come from assured origin with gentle processing. Organic cultivation, free of pesticides and fertilizers, is highly recommended. Those who suffer from food intolerances or allergies, are vegetarian or vegan, should also pay attention to appropriate accompanying substances such as gluten, lactose, animal gelatin, etc.. As with practically all naturopathic remedies, the effect only sets in completely after some time of ingestion. Therefore, a course of use of at least three months is required. Since it is said that “everything that has an effect can also have a side effect”, this is also to be expected in rare cases with monk’s pepper. This can manifest as a skin rash, itching or tingling. People who need to take dopamine medications should not use monk’s pepper, as the medicinal plant itself has dopamine-like effects.
Significance for health, treatment and prevention
The health significance of monk’s pepper for women due to phytohormones has already been highlighted. This is especially true for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) with tension in the breasts, spotting, migraine attacks, bloating, skin blemishes and also irritability or depressive moods. These are symptoms that women often suffer from at the beginning of the menopause. Therefore, it is obvious that this is also a wide area of application for Agnus Castus. Monk’s pepper has also proven effective for irregular menstrual cycles and painful periods. In lactation, it is used to promote milk production. Mild symptoms can be treated with a tea, stronger symptoms with a standardized preparation with a guaranteed amount of active ingredient. Here the doctor or alternative practitioner will name a suitable preparation. The high health value of monk’s pepper, especially its fruits, is also due to the high content of essential oils, the fatty oils, tannins, bitter substances and various flavonoids (e.g. casticin). These secondary plant substances have, among other things, a protective effect against the so-called “free radicals”. Thus, monk’s pepper has an overall positive influence on health. In classical homeopathy, Vitex Agnus Castus is also used for neurasthenia, a disease of the nervous system, and for chronic sprains and dislocations. However, the main areas of application remain the various women’s ailments and complaints.Since monk’s pepper is a medicinal product, i.e. not a food supplement, it should be taken only after consultation with a gynecologist or naturopath and in prescribed dosage. There is no known preventive effect of Agnus Castus.
