I am 25 years old have been taking Vitex agnus-castus for five months now to help balance my hormones to bring on a period. I have not come on for over four months now and have always been irregular. I don't see any improvement. What can I do to make myself have a period and stimulate ovulation because I want to become pregnant. I put 20 drops of Vitex agnus castus in half a glass of water and drink it every morning. Is this the right way of using this herb? What else can I take and please could you explain how to use it?
There are many different possible causes for the lack of menstruation after the age of 17, including thyroid problems, diabetes, deficient diet, extreme stress, travel, chronic yeast infections, excessive exercise, excess weight and depression. Check with your health care practitioner to rule out disease, and ensure that your diet is high in fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and low in dairy products, red meats, refined and processed food.
If stress and tension are a problem, look for relaxation exercises or therapies that you will enjoy, such as meditation, yoga, massage, Reiki or breathing exercises.
Amanda McQuade Crawford, in "Herbal Remedies for Women" (Prima Publishing), recommends the following herbal combination for relaxation, nourishment, improvement of pelvic circulation and hormone balancing to gradually build up body functions to allow periods to return:
* Nettles (Urtica dioica): 1 1/2 ounces
* Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): 2 ounces
* Angelica root (Angelica archangelica): 2 ounces
* Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): 2 ounces
* Rose hips (Rosa canina): 2-4 ounces (to taste)
* Ginger (Zingiber officinalis): 1/2 ounce (to taste)
Stir the dry herbs together in a clean, dry mixing bowl before storing in a glass jar or other container. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over 1 ounce of the herb mixture in a teapot of glass container; steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Strain, and drink 1/2 to 1 cup of tea, two to three times every day for 10 days You can make up a large batch of tea to last two or three days and store the strained tea in the refrigerator in a glass container with a lid. Amanda suggests making the tea even if you can't get all the ingredients, and suggests Chamomile if you can't get Passionflower and Hibiscus if you can't get Rose hips.
Vitex is often used to help regulate hormones, especially after taking birth control pills. Yes, the method that you are using to take Vitex is correct.