Agnus castus
The herbal supplement Agnus castus, also known as Vitex agnus-castus, comes from the small brown fruits harvested from the shrub of the same name.

How it works
Scientific studies have found that the active ingredients in Agnus castus can help aid the symptons of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), including irritability, depression, headache and bloating, irregular menstruation, menopause and acne. It contains several active substances, including iridoids, flavanoids, and essential oil, which may work individually or together to have an effect on hormones.

Natural food sources
Agnus castus does not naturally occur in our diets.

Recommended Daily Amounts (RDA)/ Safe Upper Levels (SUL) - Adult intake
There is no official RDA or SUL for agnus castus. As with all herbal formulations, choosing a standardised extract will ensure consistent levels of the active ingredients. In clinical trails, doses of 20mg of extract were found to be effect in providing dietary support for the symptoms of PMS.

Precautions
Avoid using agnus castus when pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking the contraceptive pill unless on the professional medical advice.

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