Black Cohosh Root / Chasteberry

Black Cohosh Root is also called Bugbane, Bugwort, Rattle Root, Rattleweed, Richweed and Squaw Root. Some nineteenth-century American physicians used Black Cohosh for problems such as fever, menstrual cramps, arthritis and insomnia. Black Cohosh has been valued by many societies for its nutritional support for women. A popular herb for women, it is said to help restore healthy menses and soothe irritation and congestion of the cervix, uterus and vagina. Black Cohosh can also help improve circulation and lower blood pressure by temporarily dilating blood vessels. Having effective amounts of calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron, Black Cohosh Root is also said to contain an abundant source of estrogenic substances. Commonly used to relieve arthritis, lower back pain and cramps caused by menstruation, Black Cohosh also relieves mucus production, thus easing persistent coughs caused by asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough. Additionally, Black Cohosh has been used to relieve swelling and soreness typical of rheumatism and it is also thought to be a safe sedative to relieve both nervousness and anxiety.

Chasteberryis also known as Vitex. In Homer's Illiad , Chasteberry is depicted as a symbol of chastity. Part of its botanical specific, castus is derived from the Latin word, "chaste," as one of its properties was said to reduce sexual desire. History records that Roman wives, whose husbands were abroad with the Roman legions, spread the aromatic leaves on their couches for this purpose, and the name Monk's Pepper is said to come from the reports that monks chewed the berries to reduce their sexual desire. Chasteberry grows in Mediterranean countries and western Asia. The dried fruit, which has a pepper-like aroma and flavor, is used in herbal medicine preparations. Chasteberry contains several different constituents, including flavonoids, iridoid glycosides and terpenoids. The whole fruit extract, rather than one of its individual constituents, appears to be necessary for the medicinal activity of Chasteberry. However, Chasteberry does not contain hormones. The benefits of Chasteberry stem from its actions upon the pituitary gland - specifically on the production of a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). Chasteberry also keeps prolactin secretions in check. The ability to decrease mildly elevated prolactin levels may benefit some infertile women as well as some women with breast tenderness associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Chasteberry may also help reduce some of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes associated with the reduction in the production of progesterone. Vitexis said to stabilize the cycle after withdrawal from progesterone birth control pills. Several studies indicate that Chasteberry can help control acne in teenagers, young women and men. For women who are trying to get pregnant, Chasteberry may be helpful to help regulate the ovulatory cycle.