SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF CHASTETREE (Vitex Agnus-Castus) DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

Jean-Jacques Dugoua; Dugald Seely; Daniel Perri; Gideon Koren; Edward Mills

Jean-Jacques Dugoua

1Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 2Motherisk Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, 3Department of Research and Clinical Epidemiology, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine

Dugald Seely

Department of Research and Clinical Epidemiology, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto

Daniel Perri

Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto

Gideon Koren

Motherisk Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto; Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto

Edward Mills

Department of Research and Clinical Epidemiology, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

Keywords

Chastetree, vitex agnus-castus, pregnancy, lactation, breastfeeding, systematic review

Abstract

Background

There is a lack of basic knowledge on the part of both clinicians and patients as to the indications for use and safety of herbs used during pregnancy and lactation. This is one article in a series that systematically reviews the evidence for herbs commonly used during pregnancy and lactation.

Objectives

To systematically review the literature for evidence on the use, safety and pharmacology of chastetree, focusing on issues pertaining to pregnancy and lactation.

Methods

We searched 7 electronic databases and compiled data according to the grade of evidence found.

Results

In pregnancy, there is poor evidence based on theoretical and expert opinion and in vitro studies that chastetree may have estrogenic and progesteronic activity, uterine stimulant activity, emmenagogue activity and prevent miscarriages. In lactation, theoretical and expert opinion conflict as to whether chastetree increases or decreases lactation.

Conclusions

Given its relatively common use amongst women of childbearing age, it is likely that some women may consume chastetree while unknowingly pregnant. Complementary and alternative medicine, midwifery and medical practitioners should be aware of this fact when prescribing chastetree to women of childbearing age, particularly when the patient is planning a family

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Published

Dec 8, 2018

How to Cite

Dugoua, J.-J., Seely, D., Perri, D., Koren, G., & Mills, E. (2018). SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF CHASTETREE (Vitex Agnus-Castus) DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 15(1). Retrieved from https://jptcp.com/index.php/jptcp/article/view/191