Vitex agnus-castus, Ally of the Womb
Vitex in bloom on Bequia. The plant can be found in Port Elizabeth in the Bush Medicine Garden and at my home in Belmont and in Mount Pleasant in a few family gardens.
The Vitex is a powerful womb and love medicine that shows us deeper connections to lore, mythologies, and magic. It has become an ally for women today struggling with infertility and other conditions.
Vitex, a genus from the Verbenaceae, consists of about 60 species in the tropics and subtropics in both hemispheres. Known to many by different names, Vitex,, Chaste Berry Tree, Vencedor, Monk's Pepper and locally as French Lavender due to its subtle and powerful aroma, the shrub grows from nine to seventeen feet tall with purple blooms attracting many pollinators and birds.
For over 2,500 years, the vitex has been used for women's health, fertility and marriage rituals. Vitex is associated with the Greek goddesses Hera, protector of the home, marriage, and fidelity, and Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, fertility and the sacrament of marriage.
This medicine has been used to treat menstrual cycle problems and pain, premenstrual syndrome, and menopause. Vitex berries may help stimulate progesterone, and, as such, they can help normalise oestrogen and progesterone and can be purchased and consumed in tablet format or tincture. You can also dry the berries, grind them and make teas and tinctures to help regulate mood, reduce irritability, increase the quality of sleep, and aid with breast health and all around uterine support.
Within African spiritual traditions, it is called Vencedor, which means ‘to win’ or ‘winner.’ In the Yoruba tradition, Vencedor belongs to the Orisha Obatalá - King of the White Cloth – the father of all the people. The plant is used to prepare baths to overcome difficulties and gain triumph in this world. It is a sacred plant used for cleansing homes.
This medicine is not so standard across the country. Still, given the rise of uterine illness and hormonal imbalances in women, we want to be able to offer the medicine to those who need the support.
Please let me know if you would like a cutting of the plant to grow in your home gardens. The Vitex is standing by in its humble nature, ready to help and to heal.
The Vitex agnus castus in bloom on Bequia.