Herb module

Man Jing Zi

ChasteberryVitex agnus-castus

A peppery little Mediterranean berry Zoi uses to cool and clear the head and eyes and soothe the Liver channel.

Man Jing Zi is chasteberry, the small dark fruit of a flowering shrub with a history stretching back to ancient Greece. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is cool and is used to clear Wind-Heat that rises up the Liver channel to the head and eyes. Zoi places it in Ríza™, its women's health formula, where its long reputation for supporting hormonal balance fits well.

Best functions

Disperses Wind and clears Heat, especially Wind-Heat in the Liver channel
Clears and benefits the eyes
Traditionally used to relieve pain, such as tension and aching in the head
Dries Dampness
Research has looked at its hormone-regulating properties

Fascinating facts

Chasteberry use dates back to ancient Greek times.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Man Jing Zi belongs with the Wind-dispelling herbs, and its traditional role centers on the head and eyes.
Its old nickname is "monk's pepper," because the dried berries have a peppery taste and were linked with monasteries in medieval Europe.
The Latin name agnus-castus means "chaste lamb," which is where the English name chasteberry comes from.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine

Man Jing Zi is cool in nature, with a pungent and bitter flavor. It is a Wind-dispelling herb that enters the Bladder, Liver, and Stomach meridians.

Go deeperDownload the fact sheet on the Women's Health · Ríza page

Biomedical deep dive

Man Jing Zi Chasteberry

From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.

On the fact sheet

Man Jing Zi (Chasteberry Vitex agnus castus) is cool and enters the BL, LIV and ST meridians; disperses Wind and clears Heat, dispels Wind-Heat in the LIV channel, clears and benefits the eyes, dries damp, expels wind and relieves pain. Women’s Health | Ríza sheet

Key active constituents

The fact sheets don’t name constituents for this herb.

Pharmacology and mechanisms

Animal and other studies indicate chasteberry has hormone-regulating properties, which may explain its benefits for PMS, menstrual and menopausal symptoms (Dietz et al., Pharmacol Rev 2016).
Binds dopamine D2 receptors and lowers prolactin; studied for high prolactin (hyperprolactinemia). Noa’s notes
Phytoestrogen (plant estrogen) activity and weak progesterone-receptor activity. Noa’s notes
Reduced PMS symptoms better than placebo in multiple randomized controlled trials. Noa’s notes

What the research says

Chasteberry use dates back to ancient Greece, and Germany's Commission E approved it for PMS and menstrual cycle irregularities (Romm, Botanical Medicine for Women's Health 2010; Dietz et al., Pharmacol Rev 2016).
Reports show chasteberry helps relieve symptoms such as breast tenderness, fluid retention, headache, constipation and low mood (Romm, Botanical Medicine for Women's Health 2010).

Safety, interactions and cautions

Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
May interact with dopamine antagonists (such as antipsychotic medicines). Noa’s notes
Use caution with hormone therapies. Noa’s notes

In these Zoi formulas

Women’s Health | Ríza (#5 on the fact sheet)

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.