What is the Agnocasto?
The agnocasto is given by the ripe, dried fruit of a shrubby plant belonging to the Verbenaceae family.
Beyond the traditional Latin denomination ( Vitex agnus castus L.), the agnocasto recognizes several vulgar names, such as Albero del pepe, Pepe falso or Pepe dei monaci; abroad, then, the drug is also known as Chasteberry, Chaste tree and Monk's pepper.
Among all, the term in our opinion most interesting - because it says a lot about its past use phytotherapic - is that of " Albero della Castità " In fact, the ancient Greeks already knew its inhibiting properties on the libido, so much so as to make it a life companion of the priestesses who are vows of chastity; the tradition was then collected during the Middle Ages, when the monks used to use the tincture of fresh berries to suppress sexual impulses; the use of agnocasto in this sense has then clearly fallen into disuse.
Active principles
The drug, as anticipated, consists of ripe and dried fruits. The fruits are black-reddish berries containing four seeds, whose taste - slightly pungent and similar to pepper - has led to the well-known dialectal names.
Inside the drug we find iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids and a minimum percentage of essential oils. Among the iridoids we report the agnuside, which is the reference substance for assessing the quality of the drug.
Property
The agnocasto has become, for some years now, one of the undisputed protagonists of women's magazines; its use, in fact, helps to harmonize the hormonal balance of the woman, regulating the ovulatory system in the presence of amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, and improving neurovegetative disorders (hot flushes) in menopause.
The phytotherapic action of the agnocasto is carried out at the level of the pituitary gland, where it slows down the release of prolactin by the anterior lobe due to its dopaminergic effect (dopamine is a neuromediator that inhibits prolactin secretion). The agnocasto also seems to act positively on the balance of the estrogen / progesterone ratio in favor of the latter (the drop in this ratio in favor of estrogen, common in the premenopausal period, can cause swelling of the breasts or abdomen, cycle disorders, infertility and weight gain). The exact mechanism of action of agnocasto, however, has not yet been completely clarified and, more than a single active substance, is attributable to the phytocomplex.
Indications
The German Commission recommends the use of agnocasto in cases of abnormal menstrual cycle, premenstrual syndrome and to alleviate mastodynia.
Traditional indications: vasomotor disorders associated with climacteric (hot flushes), hyperprolactinaemia, irregularity of the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, hypermenorrhea, polymenorrhea), premenstrual syndrome (with its psychic and somatic symptoms), mastalgia / mastodynia (neuralgic pain) to the breasts, often present in the days that act as a curtain to the flow) and infertility. The agnocasto extracts can be used to normalize ovulation and menstruation after interruptions caused by the contraceptive pill.
The effectiveness of agnocasto has been confirmed by several randomized clinical trials, particularly in the treatment of cycle disorders, especially mastodynia, and premenstrual syndrome. The results, which are particularly encouraging, have undoubtedly contributed to supporting their wide commercial success. However, we must not forget that, although many products that contain it can be bought freely without a prescription, agnocasto should always be taken on the basis of medical-gynecological advice.
Side effects
The agnocasto, due to its hormone-stimulating action, should not be taken during pregnancy and lactation; for the same reason it could interfere with oral contraceptives or with hormone replacement therapy, even if it is only a theoretical assumption and still to be fully evaluated. A further possible interaction is with antagonists (drugs used to control psychoses) and dopamine agonists (drugs used to control depression and in the treatment of Parkinson's disease).
Although the agnocasto can stimulate the onset of allergic reactions in predisposed subjects, it is a safe and well tolerated drug. During use, the sporadic appearance of nausea, gastrointestinal disorders, menstrual disorders, itching, hives and rash has been reported; however, these effects are mild and reversible after treatment has been suspended.
