Vitex Agnus castusvom Keuschlamm zur zyklus- und fertilitätsregullerenden Heilpflanze in der alltäglichen gynäkologischen Praxis Rationale Phytotherapie demonstriert an klinischen Fallbeispielen

Abstract: Vitex agnus castus (chaste tree) is the most frequently applied herbal remedy in the daily gynaecological practice. The indications, 1992 officially approved by the Commission E of the German Pharmacological Board, are menstrual cycle irregularities, premenstrual syndrome and mastodynia. The agnus castus fructi activity is thought to be related to its central dopaminergic effect. Recent pharmacological research indicates that the lipophilic components of the total extract - the diterpenes - putatively represent the active substances. Standardization of the total extract is achieved by normalizing the hydrophilic index substances Aucubin and Agnusid and the lipophilic index substance Casticin. Besides the above mentioned indications, Agnus castus is used by us in the diagnoses sterility, caused by secondary amenorrhoea or luteal insufficiency, and in latent or manifest hyperprolactinemia. Because of the dopaminergic effect of Agnus castus it can be applied as a remedy to terminate breast-feeding. For most of these indications there are observations of successful applications and also some randomized studies. The diagnostic and therapeutic way of proceeding in our daily gynaecological practice is demonstrated in four cases-examples of agnus castus indications: secondary amenorhoea, luteal insufficiency, mastodynia and mastodynia under hormone replacement therapy.

Keyword(s): Agnus castus

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