--- title: Chasteberry tea: benefits, uses, and how to make it description: Chasteberry tea is often used for PMS, though most trials tested vitex extract, not tea. Here's what we know, how to make it, and side effects. url: https://niyora.com/treatments/vitex-tea/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Treatments](https://niyora.com/treatments/) - Chasteberry tea (vitex): benefits and how to make it PMS treatments # Chasteberry tea (vitex): benefits and how to make it Chasteberry tea comes from the same plant studied for PMS, Vitex agnus-castus, but almost every trial tested a standardized extract, not tea. That extract has decent evidence for premenstrual breast tenderness and more mixed evidence for other symptoms, while tea on its own hasn't been tested. Side effects are usually mild, with one rare case report of a more serious reaction. Updated 13 October 2026 Niyora editorial Mixed evidence Strength of evidence Mixed Trials disagree, or the effect is small. - None - Limited - Mixed - Moderate - Strong ## At a glance - Chasteberry tea and vitex extract supplements come from the same plant, but nearly all PMS research tested standardized extract tablets or liquid, not loose tea. - A 2017 review pooled 14 randomized trials of vitex extract and found a large effect on PMS symptom scores, but flagged a high risk of bias and very high variability between studies. - The most consistent benefit in the research is for premenstrual breast tenderness, linked to vitex lowering prolactin. - Side effects are usually mild, like stomach upset, dizziness or a dry mouth, though a rare case report links chasteberry to a psychotic episode. - No trial has set a dose for the tea itself, so judge it over two to three cycles rather than days. ## Strength of evidence Mixed evidence - None - Limited - Mixed - Moderate - Strong Vitex extract shows a large pooled effect on PMS symptoms across 14 trials, but with high risk of bias and very high heterogeneity, with the clearest benefit for breast tenderness. No trial has tested chasteberry tea itself, so its effect on PMS isn't confirmed. ## What is chasteberry tea good for? Chasteberry tea is a herbal infusion made from the dried, ground fruit of Vitex agnus-castus, the chaste tree, once used by monks as a substitute for pepper. PMS here means the physical and emotional symptoms that show up in the one to two weeks before a period and ease once it starts, which is different from a PMDD diagnosis. Almost everything we know about vitex and premenstrual symptoms comes from trials of a standardized extract in tablet or liquid form, not from loose tea. In those trials, the extract lowers prolactin by binding to dopamine receptors in the pituitary gland, which is why its clearest effect is on premenstrual breast tenderness, or mastalgia ( [1], [2], [7]). People reach for the tea hoping for a similar PMS-easing effect, since it's the same plant. A cup of tea likely delivers a less concentrated, less consistent dose of the plant's compounds than a manufactured extract, though no study has measured this directly. For the basics on the herb itself, see [vitex (chasteberry): what it is and whether it helps PMS](https://niyora.com/treatments/vitex/). If you're asking because you suspect PMDD rather than typical PMS, the research there is thinner still: see [vitex (chasteberry) for PMDD: does it work?](https://niyora.com/treatments/vitex-for-pmdd/). Where this sits in your cycle Luteal phase Days 15 to 28 Day 1 Ovulation Day 28 ## Does chasteberry tea help PMS? A 2017 systematic review pooled 14 randomized trials of Vitex agnus-castus extract and found a large effect on PMS symptom scores compared with placebo. The authors flagged a high risk of bias and very high variability between studies, and said the pooled result should be read as exploratory, not definitive ( [3]). A small 2026 trial tested seed-cycling capsules that included chasteberry in the second half of the cycle, alongside several other seeds, and found improvement in PMS symptoms over two cycles. It had no placebo group and tested a blend, so it can't tell you what chasteberry alone contributed ( [4]). A 2024 survey found pharmacy students held a mostly positive opinion of chaste tree berry for PMS, but that reflects belief, not a trial result ( [5]). None of this research used tea as the delivery method. Put together, standardized vitex extract may ease some PMS symptoms, especially breast tenderness, more reliably than it eases mood symptoms. Chasteberry tea borrows that reputation without evidence of its own. For a closer look at the supplement data, see [vitex (chasteberry) for PMS: does it work?](https://niyora.com/treatments/vitex-for-pms/). ## How do you make vitex tea? To make chasteberry tea at home: - Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried, crushed chasteberries, or one vitex tea bag, per cup. - Pour boiling water over the berries and cover the cup so the steam doesn't escape. - Steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain if you used loose berries. - Expect a bitter, peppery taste. A little honey or a slice of lemon softens it. This is standard herbal-tea practice, not a method any of the trials above tested. The extract studies used a measured, standardized liquid or tablet extract, which concentrates the plant's compounds in a way a home infusion can't match. In the moment Niyora is a PMS and PMDD support app. If the tea is part of winding down at night, Niyora's Moon can hold the rest of the evening: write down what happened today, see it from another angle, and draft a reply you can send tomorrow instead of sending it tonight. ## How much vitex tea should you drink? There's no clinical trial that set a dose for the tea form, so there's no number here to point you to with confidence. The capsule and tablet trials behind the PMS and mastalgia findings used a standardized extract at a fixed strength chosen by the manufacturer, and that strength doesn't translate into a count of teaspoons of dried berries. There's no trial-backed amount for the tea itself. If you try it, follow the package instructions and judge it over two to three cycles rather than days. Judge it over two to three cycles, not days, since that's the window used in the extract trials. [How long does vitex take to work?](https://niyora.com/treatments/how-long-does-vitex-take-to-work/) walks through that timeline in more detail. For the amounts actually used in the studied extract products, [vitex dosage: how much and when](https://niyora.com/treatments/vitex-dosage/) is the page to read. ## Are there side effects? Vitex is generally well tolerated. A review of the clinical literature lists the usual side effects as minor, including stomach upset, dizziness and a dry mouth ( [8]). The same review found no reported herb-drug interactions, but it recommends caution if you take a dopamine agonist or antagonist, since vitex's active compounds act on dopamine receptors ( [8]). A single case report describes a woman who developed a drug-induced psychotic disorder after taking chasteberry for PMS ( [6]). It's one report, not a pattern, but it's a reason for care if you or a close family member has a history of psychosis, or if you take medication that affects dopamine, including some Parkinson's and antipsychotic drugs. [Vitex side effects, including mood](https://niyora.com/treatments/vitex-side-effects/) covers this in more depth, with what the mood-related reports actually say. When to see a doctor See a doctor before trying vitex in any form if you take antipsychotic or Parkinson's medication, if you're pregnant or trying to conceive, or if PMS symptoms take over a week of most months. Bring two cycles of daily notes so they can see the pattern clearly. From the research library ## Research on vitex 89 studies in the library look at vitex in PMS and PMDD. They were published from 1997 to 2026, and each one is summarised in plain English. 89 studies, 1997 to 2026 How strong the studies are Strong study design 22 Moderate study design 25 Early or limited evidence 42 - [Randomised trial, 2023Can herbal medicine prevent or treat PMS and menstrual disorders?Yes, several herbs may help prevent PMS and menstrual disorders, but research quality is mixed and better studies are needed.Strong study design](https://niyora.com/research/papers/potensi-herbal-medicine-dalam-pencegahan-gangguan-menstruasi-dan-sindrom-2023/) - [Randomised trial, 2020What is the best dose of Vitex for treating PMS?A dose of 20 mg daily was most effective for reducing PMS symptoms. Higher dose (30 mg) was no better, and lower dose (8 mg) was less effective.Strong study design](https://niyora.com/research/papers/dose-dependent-efficacy-of-the-vitex-agnus-castus-extract-ze-440-in-patients-2020/) - [Systematic review, 2020Does Vitex agnus-castus help cyclic breast pain?Vitex appears moderately effective for reducing cyclic breast pain compared to placebo, works as well as some medications, and is safe with minimal side effects.Strong study design](https://niyora.com/research/papers/vitex-agnus-castus-for-the-treatment-of-cyclic-mastalgia-a-systematic-review-and-2020/) - [Guideline, 2019How should doctors treat PMS and PMDD?Treatment should be tailored to each woman's symptoms and life stage. Options include therapy, herbs, antidepressants, birth control to stop ovulation, and water pills.Strong study design](https://niyora.com/research/papers/interdisciplinary-consensus-on-management-of-premenstrual-disorders-in-2019/) - [Review, 2017What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?PMDD involves an abnormal response to normal hormone changes affecting the serotonin system and brain circuits that control emotion. SSRIs are the first-line treatment, with several other options available.Strong study design](https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2017/) - [Systematic review, 2017Does Vitex agnus castus help treat premenstrual syndrome?The meta-analysis found a large pooled effect of Vitex agnus castus compared to placebo, but the included studies have significant quality problems, publication bias, and very different results from each other, so we cannot confidently say it truly works.Strong study design](https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-with-preparations-of-vitex-agnus-castus-a-2017/) ### Clinical trials - [An innovative nutraceutical formulation for appetite control and premenstrual syndrome symptom managementNo longer recruiting, Italy](https://niyora.com/research/trials/an-innovative-nutraceutical-formulation-for-appetite-control-isrctn12142665/) - [a Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Agnucaston Tablets in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)Completed, China](https://niyora.com/research/trials/a-clinical-trial-to-evaluate-the-efficacy-and-safety-of-nct00672607/) [See all 89 studies on vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitex/) ## Questions people ask Is chasteberry tea the same as vitex supplements? + No. Most research on premenstrual syndrome used a standardized vitex extract in tablet or liquid form, not loose tea. Chasteberry tea contains the same plant, but no trial has measured how much of the plant's active compounds a cup of tea actually delivers, so the tea itself hasn't been tested for PMS. Does chasteberry tea help with PMS mood symptoms? + Chasteberry extract trials show more consistent benefit for physical symptoms like breast tenderness than for mood symptoms such as irritability or low mood. The 2017 meta-analysis pooled effects across many symptoms with very high variability between studies, so a clear answer on mood alone isn't available, and no trial has tested chasteberry tea specifically. How long does it take for vitex tea to work? + Clinical trials on vitex extract measured improvement over two to three menstrual cycles, not days or a single week. If you try chasteberry tea, give it the same few-cycle window, track symptoms daily, and reassess rather than judging it after one cup. Can I drink chasteberry tea every day? + There's no clinical trial that set a safe or effective daily amount for the tea form, so there's no research-backed number to give. Follow package instructions, especially if you're on other medication, pregnant, or trying to conceive. Where can I buy chasteberry tea? + Chasteberry (vitex) tea is sold as loose dried berries or tea bags in health food stores and online, often labeled vitex tea or chaste berry tea. Quality and berry concentration vary by brand, and none of the clinical trials on vitex tested a specific commercial tea product. Can chasteberry tea cause side effects? + Yes, though the usual effects are minor, like stomach upset, dizziness and a dry mouth. A rare case report linked chasteberry use to a psychotic episode, so anyone with a history of psychosis, or taking medication that affects dopamine, should be cautious with it, tea included. ## Sources - 1. [The premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual mastodynia, fibrocystic mastopathy and infertility have often common roots: effects of extracts of chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus) as a solution](https://doi.org/10.1186/s40816-016-0038-z), Clinical Phytoscience, 2017 - 2. [The premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual mastodynia, fibrocystic mastopathy and infertility have often common roots. Effects of extracts of chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) as a solution](https://doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2019.45.66-74), Reproductive Endocrinology, 2019 - 3. [The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste-berry): A systematic review and meta-analysis](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1863), European Psychiatry, 2017 - 4. [Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome in Women Receiving Seed Cycling Capsules With Chasteberry: A Single-Arm Clinical Trial Over Two Cycles](https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.115036), Cureus, 2026 - 5. [Anti-premenstrual syndrome (PMS) properties of chaste tree berry (vitex), evening primrose oil, dandelion tea, and lavender aromatherapy: Assessing pharmacy students’ knowledge and opinions](https://doi.org/10.53294/ijfbpr.2024.5.2.0034), International Journal of Frontiers in Biology and Pharmacy Research, 2024 - 6. [Drug-induced psychotic disorder after administration of Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry) medication to treat premenstrual syndrome: a case report](https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000198), Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), 2019 - 7. [Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)--pharmacology and clinical indications](https://doi.org/10.1078/094471103322004866), Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 2003 - 8. [Chasteberry](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16156340/), American family physician, 2005 Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗ On this page - [What is chasteberry tea good for?](#what-is-chasteberry-tea-good-for) - [Does chasteberry tea help PMS?](#does-chasteberry-tea-help-pms) - [How do you make vitex tea?](#how-do-you-make-vitex-tea) - [How much vitex tea should you drink?](#how-much-vitex-tea-should-you-drink) - [Are there side effects?](#are-there-side-effects) - [Research](#research) - [Questions](#faq) Niyora PMS & PMDD support For the hard moment before your period. Private, no account. [Get it on iPhone](https://apps.apple.com/app/niyora-pms-emotions/id6764561688) ## Keep reading Treatment Vitex (chasteberry): what it is and whether it helps PMS Treatment Vitex (chasteberry) for PMDD: does it work? Treatment Vitex (chasteberry) side effects, including mood changes Treatment PMS treatment: what actually helps Condition What is PMS? Premenstrual syndrome, explained