A selection from an unpublished manuscript, Ancient Garden Plants and Modern Garden Plants
by James K. Sayre
Copyright, 2003. All Rights Reserved.
Chaste Tree - Vitex agnus-castus - family: Verbenaceae (Verbena Family).
[Etymology: chaste Middle English chaste, Old French chaste, Latin castus, pure, chaste + tree Middle English tree, tre, treo, Old English treo, treow, a tree, compare: Gothic triu, Old Norse tre, Old Frisian tre, Old Saxon treo, trio, Danish træ, so named because it was an ancient symbol of chastity].
This is an aromatic deciduous shrub or tree that grows to a height of about twenty-five feet. It has large hand-shaped compound leaves with narrow pointed dark green leaflets. In the summer and autumn it produces spikes of small fragrant lilac flowers. Later in the autumn it produces tiny, reddish-black fruits. Known to the ancient Greeks as a symbol of chastity and as a medicinal herb. Fruits are used as a traditional European folk remedy for menstrual difficulties and paralysis. Also, fruits have been used as a traditional European folk method to reduce male sexual desire; hence the folk name of Monk's Pepper. Modern western use of fruits as a remedy for acne, insomnia, heavy menstrual flow, menopause, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Modern Japanese (Kampo) use of fruits as a remedy for migraine headaches. Modern American and European folk use of fruits as a remedy for female infertility, lack of menstruation (amenorrhea), male infertility and problems of menopause. Approved by the German Commission E as a remedy for menopause and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Modern American folk use in support of prostate cancer treatment. Note: do not use if pregnant or nursing. Note: excess dose may produce a nerve reaction with unpleasant sensations on the skin. Native to Europe, the Mediterranean area and western Asia. Cultivated as an ornamental in North America. At least two cultivars exist.
Other names: Abraham's Balm; Agnus Castus, Chasteberry,
Hemp Tree; Mediterranean Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper, Monk's Pepper Tree,
Wild Pepper.
End.
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Web page last updated on 27 June 2003.