Agnus Castus Berries Hormone balancing
The herb is mainly known as a remedy used by women. I will concentrate on its effects for PMT and menopause - its main uses today.
The effect it has on female hormones is largely a balancing effect. This 'normalising' influence makes it useful in a wide range of situations. And it can be helpful for a large proportion of the time - some studies indicate improvements in symptoms for 90% of sufferers from PMT.
Some women use Agnus castus to help with pre-menstrual symptoms. It's also been tried as a treatment for symptoms of the menopause.
The name 'Agnus Castus' derives from the Greek for 'chaste'. According to Pliny, writing in the first century, Greek women wishing to preserve their chastity placed leaves of this plant on their beds and slept on them.