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Picture this: I’m on the floor of the bathroom stall. Initially, I’m queasy, but then my vision starts to go, and the discomfort almost makes me faint. I stay there for 30 minutes, unable to get off the cool tile. 

This was one of many debilitating period incidents I dealt with before I talked to my general practitioner about my in 2017. 

She made it clear that the difficult periods and rough cramps were not normal—let alone something I needed to endure. She shared a few lifestyle tweaks and recommended I start taking Gaia Herb’s Vitex Berry supplement.

“As an integrative medicine physician who specializes in women’s health,” Chloe Godwin-Gorga, M.D., my aforementioned GP, shared. “Vitex is one of my go-to recommendations.” 

What Is Vitex Berry?

Vitex agnus-castus, the scientific name of this medicinal herb, also known as the chaste tree, is native to the Mediterranean region and has many efficacious uses. 

“It is a gentle herb,” Godwin-Gorga shared. “With a long history of traditional use and in our modern cortisol-driven culture, acts to support progesterone production as well as have some dopamine-enhancing effects.”*

“Vitex is what I would call a ‘broad-spectrum’ herb in that it has benefits for many different hormonal challenges across a woman’s life cycle—from cycle issues to fertility to perimenopausal struggles.”* Godwin-Gorga says.

Why I Started Taking Vitex

Ever since high school, I’ve struggled with difficult menstrual cycles. They took me out for at least one, sometimes two days, every cycle. I honestly thought this was normal (cramps are the worst for everyone, right?). 

I needed a way to support better hormonal balance and avoid hormonal issues, like cycle irregularities, mood swings, and horrible period cramps.*

So I started taking two capsules every morning with my other supplements. The pretty, deep purple capsules didn’t have any aftertaste or make me experience any unpleasant side effects. It’s been 7 years—and my subscription is still going strong.

My Experience Taking Vitex Berry

Like most herbal supplements, I didn’t see an immediate change. But over the next few weeks and months, I noticed fewer overwhelming aches and my mood felt more even.* And while I still occasionally have difficult menstrual cycles, the frequency has decreased.

In fact, when I went to an acupuncturist recently, she immediately recommended I take Gaia Herb’s Vitex Berry. To which I said, “Already am!” 

That’s the reputation I find Gaia Herbs has in the integrative community. You can trust you know where the herbs were harvested, the potency of the product, and the stability of the high-quality bottles and packaging.

The takeaway

The hormonal support I got from Gaia Herb’s Vitex Berry made my day-to-day life bearable.* So much so, I’ve taken it religiously for 7 years. In fact, I’ve changed brands for supplements here and there, but I’ve always relied solely on Gaia Herbs for their Vitex Berry supplement.