SageTree

Vitex agnus-castus known as Chaste trees, Lilac Chaste Tree, Hemp Tree, Sage Tree, or Indian Spice. Originating in China and India.

Without flowers:


With:



Vitex agnus-castus is widely cultivated in warm temperate and subtropical regions for its aromatic foliage and flowers. It grows to a height of 1-5 meters. It requires full sun or partial shade along with well-drained soil.

Uses

Vitex, also a traditional plant in Africa, is a little-known fruit plant that has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.

Herbal medicine

The leaves and tender stem growth of the upper 10 cm (4 inches), along with the flowers and ripening seeds, are harvested for medicinal purposes. The berries are harvested by gently rubbing the berries loose from the stem. The leaves, flowers, and/or berries may be consumed as a decoction, traditional tincture, cider vinegar tincture, syrup, elixir, or simply eaten straight off the plant as a medicinal food. A popular way of taking Vitex is on awakening as a simple 1:1 fluid extract, which is said to interact with hormonal circadian rhythms most effectively.

The berries are considered a tonic herb for both the male and female reproductive systems. The leaves are believed to have the same effect but to a lesser degree.

This plant is commonly called monk's pepper because it was originally used as anti-libido medicine by monks to aid their attempts to remain chaste. In ancient times it was believed to be an anaphrodisiac, hence the name chaste tree. There are disputed accounts regarding its action on libido, with some claims that it is anaphrodisiac and others that it is aphrodisiac. Because of the complex mechanism of action it can be probably both, depending on concentration of the extract and physiologic variables.

In modern medicine it is almost always used in concentrations that would either act as a slight aphrodisiac or lack any effect on libido if prolactin levels are normal.

It has also been used as a carminative and an anxiolytic.


Medical use

Clinical studies have demonstrated effectiveness of standardized and controlled medications produced from extract of the plant in the management of premenstrual stress syndrome (PMS), cyclical breast pain (mastalgia) and infertility. The medication is recommended in Germany.

Mechanism of action

Mechanism of action is not exactly understood but it is assumed that it has dopaminergic effects resulting in changes of prolactin secretion. At low doses such as might have been used in previous centuries for suppression of sexual desire it inhibits activation of dopamine 2 receptor by competitive binding causing a slight increase in release of prolactin. In higher concentrations as in modern extracts the binding activity is sufficient to reduce the release of prolactin. A study has found that treatment of 20 healthy men with higher doses of Vitex Agnus-castus was associated with a slight reduction of prolactin levels, whereas lower doses caused a slight increase as compared to doses of placebo. A decrease of prolactin will influence levels of Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen in women; and testosterone in men.


Chemical analysis

Flavonoids, alkaloids, diterpenoids, Vitexin, Casticin and steroidal hormone precursors have been isolated from the chemical analysis of Vitex agnus-castus.[10] It is believed that some of these compounds work on the pituitary gland which would explain its effects on hormonal levels. A study has shown that extracts of the fruit of VAC can bind to opiate receptors; this could explain why intake of VAC reduces PMS discomforts.

Current uses

Vitex Agnus-Castus is used to alleviate symptoms of various gynecological problems. All evidence is limited to standardised controlled extracts such as used in Germany, different extracts or herbal mixes may have significantly different properties and safety issues.

Good evidence and safety exists for this uses:

* PMS
* Cyclical mastalgia
* Mild hyperprolactinemia
* Infertility (ironically)
* Luteal phase defect

No specific clinical studies but use partially supported by clinical evidence on symptoms and mechanism of action:

* Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), improvement of symptoms
* Uterine fibroids, control of bleeding symptoms

Emerging uses:

* Menopause, mechanism of action completely unclear.

[edit] Contraindications

It is recommended that Vitex agnus-castus be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility of complications.


Other uses

Historical uses, uses outside the scope of medicine.

* Galactagogue, historical usage in very low concentrations and not advisable today.
* Potential use as an insect repellent
* Used in supplements for male bodybuilders as a secondary component because of its effects on testosterone levels.



Look familiar?



AH YES!!! The wild untamed SageTree!!!1



And for you hard core plant nutzos This guy gives a pretty good go and what he says about the coffee is true. Sometimes I have to smoke a bowl and mellow back to get the shaping down

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=J4Fc...eature=related

Now this isn't what I was thinking when I picked this screen name... any of it... heck I didn't even know then this existed.

My thought was I wished to be the safe place, that shady or out of the storm shelter where great Teachers spoke, where many conversations and community happened. Where the Tree wasn't the only thing growing new roots and reaching for the sky.

The Tree is only experienced and knowledgeable as those who He encounters.

Thank YOU for stopping and sharing yourself with me and others as I read your posts.


SageTree

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turmaline

it's purple.

Blue_Dolphin

Interesting.

No wonder I always go to you when I am moody etc.

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SageTree

too funny!!!

And Turm...

That is too funny too... this is my favourite toque in the whole world, I know you've seen this before if you've seen a picture of me

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turmaline

lmfao at the last one.

go purple!

SmokeaJoint

Ooooh. Damn Sage, I thought you were alluding to the Bohdi Tree with your nick.

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SageTree

Well I thought about it, but I decided that wouldn't be right, so I decided to make the teachers and trees more ambiguous because I AM influenced by more than Buddha. So honour to All the trees where life has been lived and learned.

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SmokeaJoint

Ooh very Shinto!

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SageTree

That could mean a lot of things .. care you tell me more specifically what you mean?

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SmokeaJoint

I was under the impression that in Shinto they worship all living things. I don't literally believe you have that particular belief set, maybe you do, maybe you don't. I think Shinto is pretty cool though, so nothing negative meant.

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SageTree

I just was curious about what you felt that it meant. I knew you didn't mean anything bad by it, I know what it is but I appreciate your concern in being kind.

I wouldn't say I have a belief set, but I'd say I have a Way to Knowing or Connecting, because I can't only believe in what I've experienced, it's a relationship. Faith/Belief and Reason aren't enemies to me Now what my reason/experience is, can be a whole 'nother talk.

In many now traditional Buddhist countries reverence for Nature or All Things was predominantly their beliefs and practices when Buddhism came into their areas. Hinduism was/is established, but the other practices in these countries, to my knowledge were lost or blended or changed back to something else. But none the less, I think many early religion seem to have a very Earth/All centric theme. In Tibet, Bon, was the practice and to this day in , Sanatana Dharma, it's really apparent in the symbolism of many festivals, although they allegorically understood differently now, imo. Much like many feasts and festivals in the Christian tradition. Things were picked of and re-philosophized at least in name if not more added to them.

*side note, Chogyam Trungpa wrote a really good book 'Shambhala: Path of the Warrior' which is a laying out of Buddhist practices through traditional Tibetan 'folk' understanding, if you will.... But would be more fairly said to be coexisting Truths, where one found metaphorical understanding in the other and blended.*

The elements are apparent is what I'm saying I suppose. And this rings through with My and My Wife's practices. I brought Buddhism to her and she influenced my rituals with her Pagan Practice. They fit together very well and are complimentary, imo.

Taoism is a Practice and really shines through as another one of the melting pots in which Buddhism was infused with and by, although still existing on their own. To my understanding that is how Shintoism exists in Japan. But there is more nuance and complexity.

So that is how I understood worships all living things and maybe told you a little more about how I experience my Spirituality.

Namaste
SageTree

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SmokeaJoint

Wow, yeah. That was an amazing job of explaining that, thank you!

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SageTree

Combine that with going to an Anglican Mass for the last two months and maybe you have the history honouring portion of the Shinto practice

Working on pulling some things together to make another deposit in the Christian Mysticism thread in SS. But I'll save that for tomorrow afternoon.

Cheers,
SageTree

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hijabihippie

Thanks, man. Awesome thread & pictures!

hijabihippie

He's a New Rider of the Purple Sage!

SageTree

oh snap, that's a good one! That is totally my style too... long hair country kid.

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Pharm Girl

here's the real SAGE.........!!!

S.A.G.E. - TH Seeds Seeds - Single Marijuana Seeds

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.....The Time has Come to 'Walk the Talk'.....~

......A message for ALL from the Deer Tribe...~

It is a great journey —
but you must do the walking
and have the willingness to change
and make the leap into
the next level of human evolution.

Become an inquisitive free thinking
individual that takes
responsibility for your life
and the spiritual accountability to live life to the fullest.

Fuck the Monkeys

hijabihippie

I call 'em like I see 'em...
You left it laying there, I had to pick it up.

SageTree

bump

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kitch

there's some bush that looks very similiar to that around here. Monarchs and other butterflies love it. We call them butterfly bushes. I dunno if it's the same thing or not but that's what the pic reminded me of.

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