Health News and Information

Agnus Castus (Vitex/chasteberry)

This is a popular herb which grows in Mediterranean countries and central Asia. It does not contain any hormones but it stimulates the function of the pituitary gland which controls and balances our hormones by producing luteinising hormone. This increases progesterone production and helps regulate a woman’s cycle. Agnus castus also helps keep prolactin secretion in check. (Excessive prolactin can prevent ovulation.)

This herb has been used by women who had established luteal phase defect (shortened second half of the cycle) and high prolactin levels. In one study 48 women diagnosed with infertility took agnus castus daily for three months. Seven of them became pregnant during that time and 25 of them regained normal progesterone levels.

Agnus castus works to restore hormonal balance and can be used where there are hormone deficits as well as excesses. It:

• regulates periods

• restarts periods which have stopped

• helps with heavy bleeding

• helps with too-frequent periods

• helps with painful periods

• increases the ratio of progesterone to oestrogen by balancing excess oestrogen

I have seen a number of women who needed to have IVF treatment” but could not do so because their levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) were too high. The highest FSH level for most IVF treatments is 10, and rising FSH levels can indicate a pre-menopausal condition. The use of agnus castus, sometimes with a mix of other herbs, brought down the FSH level so that the women could go for IVF treatment.

Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis)

This is an Oriental herb frequently used for menstrual complaints. It is extensively cultivated in Asia for medicinal purposes and in traditional Chinese medicine is well-known as a tonic for the female reproductive system. It:

• tones a weak uterus

• regulates irregular periods

• alleviates period pains

• reduces spotting

• helps with absent periods

False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium Luteum)

This North American herb is a good tonic and strengthener for the reproductive system and can be used for both men and women, as it has a balancing effect on hormones. Herbalists often give it to women after a miscarriage or an infection in the pelvic area. Mixed with other herbs, it can be given for ovarian cysts or endometriosis. It is also used to try and prevent a threatened miscarriage. It:

• balances the hormones

• regularizes delayed periods

• regularizes absent periods

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Serrulate)

This is one of the best herbs for the male reproductive system. It acts like a tonic for the man and has traditionally been used for centuries to treat enlarged prostate.

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