Chaste berry is the fruit of V. agnus-castus, a small tree or shub in the mint family native to the Mediterranean region and some parts of Asia. The plant is also known as Chaste Tree and Monk’s Pepper, a reference to its reputation for promoting virtuous behavior, especially chastity.
For centuries, chaste berry has been used for various conditions of concern to women. In fact, it was frequently recommended in the writings of Hippocrates and Dioscorides and is still the most commonly used botanical used in Europe to address premenstrual syndrome. It is sometimes combined with
black cohosh or
dong quai.
