Vitex

Agnus castus (chaste tree, chasteberry)

The berry of the chaste tree was historically used to reduce the sex drive in priests, nuns and monks; hence the plant's common name. It is actually a hormone balancer that is commonly used in Europe to treat PMS, fibroid tumors, infertility, and some of the unpleasant side effects of menopause. It does this by stimulating the pituitary gland to produce progesterone in women. It is important to use the correct dosage, however - 3 to 6 grams a day - or it will simply depress the libido.
As a hormone balancer, vitex is also useful to new mothers, and to teenagers of both genders who have acne. The herb is also a very mild stimulant.
Homeopathic medicine makes successful use of vitex to treat depression and reproductive system problems. Most relevant to aphrodisia is its positive effect against frigidity, impotence and general lack of libido.
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