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Vitex-agnus castus
Attractive deciduous shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It is one of the few temperate-zone species of Vitex, which consists mainly of tropical and subtropical plants. It is related to our native Puriri, Vitex lucens.
The palmately compound leaves of the Chaste Tree are very attractive, then superseded by the gorgeous lilac flower spires, which open over a period of 4-5 weeks starting from the lower part of the stem and moving upwards. They attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects. The whole plant is aromatic, but the flowers in particular are often used to make perfume. The smooth, greyish-tan bark of a young tree will become a fissured dark grey as the tree matures.
Vitex was the name used by the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder and is derived from the Latin vieo, meaning to weave or to tie up, a reference to the use of this plant in basketry. A yellow dye can also be made from the leaves, seed and roots.
The fruit can be used as a pepper substitute and can be eaten fresh off the bush or dried. The aromatic leaves are also used as a spice, including as one of the ingredients of the Moroccan spice mixture ‘ras el hanout’.
Chaste Tree has been used in traditional medicine for reproductive health issues in women for thousands of years. Modern research has confirmed this use, the seeds being used to restore balanced functioning to the female reproductive system, by rectifying hormonal imbalances caused by an excess of oestrogen and an insufficiency of progesterone. It has been used with great effect in restoring absent menstruation, regulating heavy periods, restoring fertility when this is caused by hormonal imbalance, relieving pre-menstrual tension and easing the change of the menopause. The seeds and fruits are said to be anaphrodisiac, aphrodisiac, galactogogue, ophthalmic, sedative and stomachic. The leaves, flowers, and/or berries may be consumed as a decoction, tincture, syrup, or elixir, or simply eaten from the plant as food.
Chaste Trees tolerate a range of soils from light to medium and moist to dry, and do not require high fertility. Full sun, frost hardy. Height to 3-5m but can be maintained small.
PB5 Certified organic plant approx 60 – 70cm high
Freight: full list of freight and packing charges
Photos: Kahikatea Farm
N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.
Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.
Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.
Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.
Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.
We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.
Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.
