Editing Vitex agnus-castus

{{short description|Species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Vitex agnus-castus 1.JPG
| status = DD
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Vitex
| species = agnus-castus
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

'''''Vitex agnus-castus''''' (also called '''vitex''',  '''chaste tree''' / '''chastetree''', '''chasteberry''', '''Abraham's balm''',<ref>''New English Dictionary'', ''s.v.'' "Chaste-tree".</ref> '''lilac chastetree''',<ref>{{PLANTS|id=VIAG|taxon=Vitex agnus-castus|access-date=6 August 2015}}</ref> or '''monk's pepper''') is a plant native of the [[Mediterranean region]]. It is one of the few temperate-zone species of ''[[Vitex]]'', which is on the whole a genus of tropical and subtropical [[flowering plant]]s.<ref name="mabberley2008">David J. Mabberley. 2008. ''Mabberley's Plant-Book'' third edition (2008). Cambridge University Press: UK.</ref> Vitex is a [[Allogamy|cross-pollinating]] plant, but its [[self-pollination]] has been recorded.<ref name="Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta2013">Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta. 2013. ''Handbuch des Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzenbaus'' volume 5 Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen L–Z, pages 192–199. Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta: Bernburg, Germany. {{ISBN|978-3-935971-64-5}} (set).</ref>

[[Theophrastus]] mentioned the shrub several times, as ''agnos'' (ἄγνος) in ''Enquiry into Plants''. It has been long believed to be an [[anaphrodisiac]] &ndash; leading to its name as "chaste tree" &ndash; but its effectiveness for such action remains unproven.<ref name="drugs">{{cite web |publisher=Drugs.com  |title=Chaste tree |url=https://www.drugs.com/npp/chaste-tree.html |date=9 October 2017|access-date=20 August 2019 }}</ref> The shrub was utilized for religious rituals in [[ancient Greece]] and among the [[Philistines]] in modern-day [[Israel]].<ref name="Frumin Maeir Eniukhina Dagan 2024 p." />

==Etymology and common names==
''Vitex'', its name in [[Pliny the Elder]], is [[Etymology|derived]] from the [[Latin]] ''vieo'', meaning to weave or to tie up, a reference to the use of ''V. agnus-castus'' in basketry.<ref name="quattrocchi2000">Umberto Quattrocchi. 2000. ''CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names'' volume I, page 91. CRC Press: Boca Raton; New York; Washington,DC;, USA. London, UK. {{ISBN|978-0-8493-2673-8}} (set).</ref> Its [[macaronic]] [[Binomial nomenclature|specific name]] ''agnus-castus'' repeats "[[Chastity|chaste]]" in both Greek and Latin; the small tree was considered to be sacred to the virginal goddess [[Hestia]]/[[Vesta (mythology)|Vesta]]. The most common names are "chaste tree", "vitex", and "monk's pepper".<ref name=drugs/>

==Description==
[[File:Vitex-agnus-castus-flowers.JPG|thumb|160px|Close up of flowers with carpenter bee (''Xylocopa sp.'')]]
''Vitex agnus-castus'' is widely cultivated in warm, temperate, and [[Subtropics|subtropical]] regions for its delicately textured, aromatic foliage and [[butterfly]]-attracting midsummer spikes of lavender flowers opening in late summer in cooler climates.<ref>Soule, J. A. 2012. ''Butterfly Gardening in Southern Arizona''. Tierra del Soule Press, Tucson, Arizona</ref> It grows to a height of {{convert|1–5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. It requires full sun, though tolerates partial shade, along with well-draining soil. Under ideal conditions, it is hardy to {{convert|-23|C|F}} [[USDA Zone]] 6.<ref name=USDAFS>{{cite web |publisher=USDA Forest Service|location=Washington, DC|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/nsl/Wpsm/Vitex.pdf|title=''Vitex agnus-castus'' L. - lilac chastetree|first1=John C. |last1=Zasada |first2= C. S. |last2=Schopmeyer }}</ref> In colder zones, the plant tends to die back to the ground, but as it flowers on new wood, flowering is not affected on vigorous growth in the following season.<ref name=Missouri>{{cite web |url=http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=g290 |publisher=Missouri Botanical Garden plant finder |title=''Vitex agnus-castus''}}</ref> This plant is a [[brackish water]] dweller, indicating that it tolerates salt.{{fact|date=May 2024}} Cold and wet weather results in dieback and losses. The plant grows well on loamy, neutral to alkaline soil.<ref name="Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta2013"/>

In cultivation in the UK,  the [[form (botany)|form]] ''V. agnus-castus'' f. ''latifolia'' has gained the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]].<ref name = RHSPF>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/332404/i-Vitex-agnus-castus-i-f-i-latifolia-i/Details | title = ''Vitex agnus-castus'' f. ''latifolia'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 18 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 107 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 18 February 2019}}</ref>

The fruits from one single tree can be harvested for more than 15 years. This indicates that the tree cannot be integrated in a usual [[crop rotation]] system.<ref name="Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta2013"/><ref name="Mönchspfeffer2010">{{cite journal |last=van Rensen |first=I. |year=2010 |title=Mönchspfeffer |trans-title=Chaste tree |journal=Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie |volume=31 |issue=6  |pages=322–326 |doi=10.1055/s-0030-1262410 |s2cid=260357472 |language=de }}</ref> It is suggested to sow dissimilar plants such as [[monocots]] as its subsequent crop so that it might be easier to control the monk's pepper plant, the [[dicot]]. Because the fruits of monk's pepper tend to fall constantly and uncontrollably, the plant likely can germinate from seed.<ref name="Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta2013"/> The overall best yield per hectare reportedly can be achieved if the plant spacing is around {{convert|70|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta2013"/> [[Pruning]] back the branches in autumn has a positive influence on fruit yield while repruning in spring can induce an increase of vegetative shoots, thus a fruit yield loss.<ref name="Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta2013"/>

===Reproduction===
[[File:Vitex agnus castus.jpg|alt=Chaste tree|right|frameless]]
This plant can also be reproduced [[vegetatively]]. One possibility is to use {{convert|5–8|cm|in|0|adj=on}} pieces of the ripening wood with buds in July or August and another is to cut the ripe wood in November and then let it root in a coldframe.<ref name="Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta2013"/> Also ''in vitro'' reproduction with spike of the shoots or node [[Explant culture|explants]] is possible.<ref>{{cite journal| last=Balaraju K. Agastian P. Preetamraj J. P. Arokiyaraj S. Kade P. Ignacimuthu S. 2008. | title=Micropropagation of Vitex agnus-castus, (Verbenaceae)—a valuable medicinal plant |journal=In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Plant |volume=44  | issue=5 |pages=436–441 |doi=10.1007/s11627-008-9155-9 | year=2008 | bibcode=2008IVCDB..44..436B | s2cid=8358030 }}</ref>

===Harvest===
The flowering and ripening processes do not happen simultaneously, enabling harvesting of both fresh fruits and seeds over a long span of time. The fruits tend to fall from the plant as they ripen, getting lost in the soil. Thus, it has no optimal fixed harvest time. Consequently, to avoid yield loss, unripe fruits need to be harvested. This early harvesting has no effect on quality.<ref name="Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Saluplanta2013"/> Overall, harvesting the fruits by hand likely is the most convenient solution.<ref name="Mönchspfeffer2010"/>

===Diseases and pests===
Thysanoptera, also known as [[thrips]], can cause great damage to the growth and the generative development of ''V. agnus-castus''.<ref>Gimpl A. 2003. Untersuchungen zur Inkulturnahme von Vitex agnus-castus L. Diplomarbeit. Universität für Bodenkultur. Wien</ref> The insect feeds on chaste tree by sucking up the fruit contents or puncturing them. Also, chaste tree is the only known host (especially in Israel) for ''[[Hyalesthes obsoletus]]''. This cicada is the vector for [[black wood disease]] of grapevines. ''H. obsoletus'' prefers ''V. agnus-castus''  as a host to the grapevine. In this case, chaste trees can be used as a biological control agent by planting them around vineyards to trap the ''H. obsoletus''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sharon|first1=Rakefet|last2=Soroker|first2=Victoria|last3=Wesley|first3=S. Daniel|last4=Zahavi|first4=Tirtza|last5=Harari|first5=Ally|last6=Weintraub|first6=Phyllis G.|title=''Vitex agnus-castus'' is a preferred host plant for ''Hyalesthes obsoletus'' |journal=Journal of Chemical Ecology |date=2005 |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=1051–1063 |doi=10.1007/s10886-005-4247-z|pmid=16124232|bibcode=2005JCEco..31.1051S |s2cid=20799569}}</ref>
''V. agnus-castus'' was found not only to be an appropriate food source for the adult vectors, but also a reservoir of ''Candidatus phytoplasma solani'' (bacterial ''Phytoplasma'' species), the causal agent of the black wood disease in grapevines.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Kosovac | first1 = A. Radonji S. Hrnci S. Krstic O. Tosevski I. Jovic J. | year = 2016 | title = Molecular tracing of the transmission routes of bois noir in Mediterranean vineyards of Montenegro and experimental evidence for the epidemiological role of ''Vitex agnus-castus'' (Lamiaceae) and associated ''Hyalesthes obsoletus'' (Cixiidae) | journal = Plant Pathology | volume = 65 | issue = 2| pages = 285–298 | doi=10.1111/ppa.12409| doi-access = free | bibcode = 2016PPath..65..285K }}</ref> 
The pathogen-caused [[leaf spot disease]] can almost defoliate ''V. agnus castus''. Furthermore, [[root rot]] can occur when soils are kept too moist.<ref>Gilman E. and Watson D. 1994. Vitex agnus-castus 'Alba'; 'Alba' Chastetree Fact Sheet ST-665. A series of the Environmental Horticulture Department. Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. University of Florida</ref>

==Chemical compounds==
[[Flavonoid]]s ([[vitexin]], [[casticin]]), [[iridoid glycoside]] ([[agnuside]], aucubin), [[p-hydroxybenzoic acid]],<ref name=drugs/><ref name="hoberg">{{cite journal | last1 = Hoberg | first1 = Eva | last2 = Meier | first2 = Beat | last3 = Sticher | first3 = Otto | year = 2000 | title = An analytical high performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of agnuside and p-hydroxybenzoic acid contents in Agni-casti fructus | journal = Phytochemical Analysis | volume = 11 | issue = 5| pages = 327–329 | doi = 10.1002/1099-1565(200009/10)11:5<327::AID-PCA523>3.0.CO;2-0 | bibcode = 2000PChAn..11..327H }}</ref> [[alkaloid]]s, [[essential oils]], fatty oils, [[diterpenoid]]s and [[steroid]]s have been identified in the chemical analysis of ''V. agnus-castus''.<ref name="male_study">{{cite journal |last1=Hajdú|first1=Zsuzsanna|last2=Hohmann|first2=Judit|last3=Forgo|first3=Peter|last4=Martinek|first4=Tamás|last5=Dervarics|first5=Máté|last6=Zupkó|first6=István|last7=Falkay|first7=György|last8=Cossuta|first8=Daniel|last9=Máthé|first9=Imre |title=Diterpenoids and flavonoids from the fruits of ''Vitex agnus-castus'' and antioxidant activity of the fruit extracts and their constituents |journal=Phytotherapy Research |date=2007 |volume=21 |issue=4 |pages=391–394 |doi=10.1002/ptr.2021|pmid=17262892|s2cid=23758549}}</ref> They occur in the fruits and in the leaves.<ref name=hoberg/>

===Essential oils===
Essential oils have been found in the fruits and in the leaves. The oil of leaves, unripe, and ripe fruits differ in compounds; 50 compounds were identified in the oil of unripe fruits, 51 compounds in the oil of ripe fruits, and 46 compounds in the oil of the leaves. [[1,8-Cineole]] and [[sabinene]] are the main [[monoterpene]] components and [[beta-caryophyllene]] is the major [[sesquiterpene]] compound found in the fruits of ''V. agnus-castus''. Some slight differences occur between fruits from white-flowering plants compared to violet-flowering ones. The oil of fruits of former has a higher amount of monoterpene constituents. The leaves mainly contain [[1,8-cineole]], [[farnesene|trans-beta-farnesene]], [[alpha-pinene]], [[caryophyllene|trans-beta-caryophyllene]], and [[terpinen-4-ol]]. The oil, particularly from white-flowering plants, is under preliminary research for its potential [[antibacterial]] effects.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stojković|first1=Dejan|last2=Soković|first2=Marina|last3=Glamočlija|first3=Jasmina|last4=Džamić|first4=Ana|last5=Ćirić|first5=Ana|last6=Ristić|first6=Mihailo|last7=Grubišić|first7=Dragoljub |title=Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of ''Vitex agnus-castus'' L. fruits and leaves essential oils |journal=Food Chemistry |date=2011 |volume=128 |issue=4 |pages=1017–1022 |doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.04.007}}</ref>

==Uses==
===Medicinal and culinary use===
The chaste tree, a local shrub known since the [[Lower Paleolithic]] for various applications including as a spice, was also historically valued for its medicinal properties, including uses as anaphrodisiac and abortifacient, with further properties suggested by modern studies. The shrub has been used by several ancient Mediterranean cultures.<ref name="Frumin Maeir Eniukhina Dagan 2024 p.">{{cite journal |last1=Frumin |first1=Suembikya |last2=Maeir |first2=Aren M. |last3=Eniukhina |first3=Maria |last4=Dagan |first4=Amit |last5=Weiss |first5=Ehud |date=2024-02-12 |title=Plant-related Philistine ritual practices at biblical Gath |journal=Scientific Reports |publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC |volume=14 |issue=1 |page= 3513|doi=10.1038/s41598-024-52974-9 |pmid=38347005 |issn=2045-2322 |pmc=10861565|bibcode=2024NatSR..14.3513F }}</ref>

''Vitex'' has been used in [[traditional medicine]] for reproductive health issues in women, but only limited [[evidence-based medicine|high-quality clinical evidence]] supports its effectiveness.<ref name=drugs/><ref name="Verkaik">{{cite journal |vauthors=Verkaik S, Kamperman AM, van Westrhenen R, Schulte PF |title=The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of ''Vitex agnus castus'': a systematic review and meta-analysis |journal=American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology |volume= 217|issue= 2|pages= 150–166|year=2017 |pmid=28237870 |doi=10.1016/j.ajog.2017.02.028 |s2cid=41615874 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|pmid=23136064|year=2013|last1=Van Die|first1=M. D|title=Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials|journal=Planta Medica|volume=79|issue=7|pages=562–75|last2=Burger|first2=H. G|last3=Teede|first3=H. J|last4=Bone|first4=K. M|doi=10.1055/s-0032-1327831|doi-access=free}}</ref> Although it is commonly recommended in Germany,<ref name="safety_2"/><ref name=Goerke_2007>{{cite book |author1=Axel Valet |author2=Kay Goerke |author3=Joachim Steller |title=Klinikleitfaden Gynäkologie Geburtshilfe. Untersuchung. Diagnostik. Therapie. Notfall. |publisher=Urban & Fischer |year=2003 |isbn=978-3-437-22211-5 }}</ref> ''V. agnus-castus'' should be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility of complications.<ref name=drugs/><ref name="safety_2">{{cite journal |title=''Vitex agnus castus'': a systematic review of adverse events |journal=Drug Safety |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=319–32 |year=2005 |doi=10.2165/00002018-200528040-00004 |pmid=15783241 |last1=Daniele |first1=C |last2=Thompson Coon |first2=J |last3=Pittler |first3=M. H. |last4=Ernst |first4=E |s2cid=45851264 }}</ref>

===Religious use===
In ancient Greece, the chaste tree played a significant role in the female agricultural festival of [[Thesmophoria]], dedicated to honoring the goddesses [[Demeter]] and [[Persephone]] in Greek cities. In Archaic [[Sparta]], in the 8th–6th centuries BCE, it was incorporated into the cult of the local agriculture goddess, [[Artemis Orthia]]. The first century physician [[Pedanius Dioscorides|Dioscorides]] documented various synonyms for the lilac chaste tree. In the second century CE, [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]] mentioned that the wooden image of [[Asclepius]] in Sparta was crafted from the chaste tree. Additionally, there is botanical and textual evidence supporting the significance of the chaste tree at the [[Heraion of Samos]] during the 6th–3rd centuries BCE.<ref name="Frumin Maeir Eniukhina Dagan 2024 p." />

In a [[Philistines|Philistine]] temple at [[Gath (city)|Gath]], an excavation uncovered around 100 chaste tree fruits, a find unparalleled in both quantity and context compared to other locations in [[Israel]]. This suggests their deliberate use in religious practices, possibly in celebration of a goddess related to Hera.<ref name="Frumin Maeir Eniukhina Dagan 2024 p." />

Notably, the chaste tree is linked to the binding of Hera, where it featured in rituals celebrating her mythology at [[Samos]].

==Safety and adverse effects==
[[Adverse effect]]s from ''Vitex'' can include [[nausea]], headache, [[Functional gastrointestinal disorder|gastrointestinal discomfort]], [[menstrual disorder|menstrual discomfort]], fatigue, and skin disorders.<ref name=drugs/><ref>{{cite journal|pmid=15783241|year=2005|last1=Daniele|first1=C|title=''Vitex agnus castus'': A systematic review of adverse events|journal=Drug Safety|volume=28|issue=4|pages=319–32|last2=Thompson Coon|first2=J|last3=Pittler|first3=M. H|last4=Ernst|first4=E|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0022475/|doi=10.2165/00002018-200528040-00004|s2cid=45851264}}</ref> People taking [[dopamine]]-related medications or [[Parkinson's disease]] medications should avoid using chasteberry.<ref name="nccih">{{Cite web|url=https://nccih.nih.gov/health/chasteberry|title=Chasteberry|publisher=National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health|date=September 2016|language=en|access-date=2018-05-10}}</ref> Women on [[birth control|birth-control]] pills, [[hormone-replacement therapy]], or having a hormone-sensitive condition, such as [[breast cancer]], are advised not to use chasteberry.<ref name=nccih/> Use of ''Vitex'' is discouraged for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and for children.<ref name=drugs/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Vitex_agnus-castus|position=left}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100613143308/http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s16713e/s16713e.pdf#page=17 Medicine Docs: ''Vitex agnus-castus'' (medicinal plant)]

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[[Category:Vitex|agnus-castus]]
[[Category:Trees of Europe]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants of Europe]]
[[Category:Anaphrodisia]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Butterfly food plants]]
[[Category:Trees of Mediterranean climate]]
[[Category:Garden plants of Europe]]
[[Category:Ornamental trees]]
[[Category:Flora of the Mediterranean basin]]