Have you ever wished for a natural treatment for premenstrual syndrome, irregular periods or menopause? If so, you’ll love the chasteberry. People have trusted the efficacy of this plant for centuries. Chasteberry is a small, potent brown berry that resembles a peppercorn. Its fruit has been used for over 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for various medicinal purposes. Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of chasteberry.
Remedy for PMS and Cramps
Every woman can appreciate chasteberry’s ability to act as a remedy for PMS and cramps. Here’s how it helps. According to the Journal of Women’s Health & Gender-Based Medicine, women treated with chasteberry during three menstrual periods reported an improvement. In fact, 93 percent of them said they had a decrease in the severity of their PMS symptoms. Furthermore, some said they had no PMS during the study. In addition to helping women alleviate premenstrual symptoms, chasteberry seems to help with menopausal symptoms and hormonally induced acne.
Helps the Body Regulate Progesterone
Another way that chasteberry is a fan of fairer sex is its ability to help your body regulate progesterone. For women, the berry helps balance out the ratio of progesterone to estrogen, raising your body’s level of progesterone. While not a hormone itself, the herb helps your body naturally increase its levels of progesterone. Besides being great for women developing hormonal issues, chasteberry has demonstrated anti-tumor properties with implications in many different human cancer cell lines. This versatile berry has proven itself a friend to women and keeps surprising scientists with newly discovered properties.
Reduces Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids cause abnormal bleeding during a period. Chasteberry helps reduce the symptoms of uterine fibroids, and non-cancerous tumors on the uterine walls. It can change the size or shape of your uterus and ameliorate many unpleasant side effects of the condition. Chasteberry helps balance out the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, resulting in a reduction of fibroids. This restores some of the hormonal balance in the body.
Improves Female Fertility
Chasteberry also helps improve fertility, particularly if a woman has a luteal phase defect (the second half of your period is shortened). These women have fertility issues because their ovaries don’t provide sufficient progesterone. Women diagnosed with infertility have credited chasteberry with the ability to increase fertility. For women trying to get pregnant, heightened progesterone levels increase the likelihood of a pregnancy.
Remedies Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea affects women within the reproductive age range and causes the period to stop suddenly. This is very unusual in non-pregnant women. Amenorrhea derives from many factors, including an excess of prolactin in your body. This triggers hypoestrogenism, an estrogen deficiency. Chasteberry supplementation helps your body modulate prolactin and balance feminine hormones.
Clears Up Acne
If you suffer from acne, you have probably tried everything. Sometimes, the condition comes from hormone imbalances, especially for a woman. If you have monthly outbreaks along your jawline and chin, chasteberry is a great natural remedy you can try. It balances hormones, hopefully reducing acne formation. Preliminary research indicates success in the plant’s ability to clear up premenstrual acne.
Treats Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a potentially painful disorder that causes the uterine tissues on the inside of your uterus to grow on the outside. It spreads to the ovaries, bowels, and pelvic tissues. No one has discovered the cause of endometriosis, but hormonal imbalances and genetics are big factors. While you are stuck with the genes you were born with; you can treat the hormonal imbalance with the use of the plant. Chasteberry is typically taken 12 to 18 months for optimal results.
Treats Enlarged Prostate
Finally, one for the men. Benign prostatic hyperplasia or enlarged prostate is associated with the aging process. The enlargement of the prostate can make urination difficult or painful. Extracts of the fruit help prevent and treat the enlarged prostate, as well as prostate cancer. Chasteberry has components that inhibit the spread of cancer and may kill prostate cancer cells.
Lowers Menopause Symptoms
Menopause describes the end of menstruation and fertility in women. It occurs 12 months following your last menstrual cycle. This condition hits women in their 40s or 50s, with an average age of 51. Chasteberry is combined with other herbs, such as dong Quai or black cohosh, to maximize the effect. Herbal supplements that have chasteberry serve as a safe and effective way to reduce hot flushes. They also help you sleep better.
May Promote Lactation
If you are a mom-to-be, this one will be of particular interest to you. In Europe, it is widely prescribed to promote lactation. A supplement that includes a Chasteberry tincture is credited with increasing the amount of milk produced by lactating mothers, regardless of pregnancy complications. Herbs like chasteberry help you increase the flow of breastmilk or galactagogues.