Monk’s pepper: effect and application

A disturbed hormonal balance brings the body out of balance. Chaste tree is believed to be an effective herbal remedy for regulating hormones. You can find out more about the effect and application of the remedy here.

Monk’s pepper: medicinal plant for hormone health

Monk’s pepper, a verbena plant, has long been used as a herbal remedy. In particular, it is said to be able to treat hormonal imbalance.

Hormones regulate a variety of important functions in the body. Affect thyroid hormones, for example Cycle, Growth and metabolism, adrenal hormones affect our perception of stress and sex hormones control libido, cycle and fertility.

Accordingly, a lot can get out of whack if the hormone balance shifts, i.e. if certain hormones are too much or too little in the body. Both men and women can suffer from hormonal imbalances, but women are more likely to suffer from them.

In women, an imbalance in the hormonal balance often manifests itself in the premenstrual syndrome, Menstrual cramps, Cycle irregularities, infertility or mental disorders. Chasteberry can help by rebalancing hormones.

Effect of monk’s pepper

Pituitary gland regulates endocrine system

Certain substances that act on the pituitary gland – also known as the pituitary gland – are concentrated in the monk’s pepper seed pods. The pituitary gland plays an important role in regulating the endocrine system. It controls the release of hormones, which are also responsible for processes related to reproduction.

Chasteberry has a dopaminergic effect. This means that the herb stimulates the docking point of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the pituitary gland. This inhibits the release of the hormone prolactin.

Monk’s pepper balances the hormonal balance

Prolactin is responsible for the growth of the mammary glands in pregnant women and for the secretion of milk in breastfeeding mothers. However, too much prolactin can cause problems for women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. For example, ovulation may fail to occur, resulting in a contraceptive effect. Feelings of tension in the chest or depression can also be symptoms of excess prolactin.

If monk’s pepper is taken, the prolactin level in the body can drop, instead the formation of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen is favored. These two hormones regulate the cycle.

Scientifically proven effect

The effect of monk’s pepper has been scientifically proven for certain hormone-related complaints. Several clinical studies, including this one, show that chasteberry can relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, including chest tension, internal tension, headache, and depression. Other gynecological complaints should also be able to be treated with monk’s pepper, but the scientific effectiveness has to be further confirmed.

Application of monk’s pepper

Due to its balancing effect, chasteberry is often used for the following ailments that are due to an imbalance in the hormonal balance:

• Premenstrual syndrome: Many women experience physical as well as emotional discomfort before they start menstruating. This includes water retention, skin changes, tiredness, exhaustion, dejection, headache and Back painAbdominal cramps, tightness in or a very sensitive chest irritability and a change in appetite. Many of these symptoms are due to high levels of prolactin. Therefore, chasteberry can help relieve PMS by lowering prolactin.
• Irregular cycle: Monk’s pepper also promises a remedy for a cycle that is too long or too short. If the cycle is so irregular, it can make it difficult to have children. An evaluation of studies shows that monk’s pepper is one of the herbal remedies that intervene in the hormonal balance and thereby regulate the cycle.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): The same study showed that chaste tree can also help with PCOS. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a metabolic disease that is associated with a severely disturbed hormonal balance. This results in an increased androgen level, menstrual cycle disorders or infertility. Chaste tree’s ability to lower excessively high levels of prolactin has also been shown to relieve PCOS symptoms.
• Menopausal symptoms: During menopause the hormonal balance of women shifts significantly and can lead to many ailments. First the progesterone level falls, creating an estrogen dominance, and later the estrogen level also falls. Consequences of these shifts are Hot flashes, Sweats, depression, and insomnia. An Israeli study shows that chasteberry, combined with other herbal extracts, can alleviate some of these symptoms. Because monk’s pepper stimulates the formation of progesterone. This balances out the estrogen dominance typical of menopause.

Monk’s pepper: instructions for use

Even if monk’s pepper is a herbal remedy, you should pay attention to some application instructions:

• Be recommended Chasteberry tablets, drops or capsules. Such standardized finished medicinal products ensure that you always consume the same amount of ingredients.
• Clarify with a doctorwhether your symptoms do not need another treatment after all, or whether other of your medications can interact with monk’s pepper preparations. Also with regard to the dosage you should seek medical advice.
• Chasteberry is usually recommended for a longer period of time take, about three months.
• Pregnant women should not use monk’s pepper.
• Monk’s pepper is generally well tolerated. But there are also some few side effects from monk’s pepper, for example itching on the skin or feeling tight in the chest. These side effects are often due to an overdose.

Read more on Techzle.com:

• These 7 medicinal herbs are natural pain relievers and antibiotics
• Raspberry leaf tea: use and effects in pregnancy
• Contraception without hormones – an overview