- Vitex agnus castus L. (Verbenaceae) — essential oil from leaves OR seeds (two source tissues → two chemotype profiles). Synonym: Monk's pepper. Historically used in traditional medicine for gynecological hormone modulation.
- Hazards: Drug interaction + reproductive hormone modulation + may contain methyleugenol (seed oil 0–1.5%).
- Contraindications (all routes): progesterone therapy + pregnancy + breastfeeding + prepubertal children. Cautions (all routes): may cause unpleasant side effects in some women.
- Cautions (oral): drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 (Appendix B) + estrogen replacement therapy + oral contraceptives. Farnesene + α-bisabolol inhibit CYP2D6 (Ch.14 Table 4.11B).
- Dopaminergic mechanism: Stimulates dopamine D2 receptors → suppresses prolactin → lowers FSH/LH/estrogen, raises progesterone. Clinical evidence of symptom exacerbation (emotional decline + hot flashes + breakthrough bleeding) in 23.2% of 52 women at 1.5% topical for 3 months (Lucks 2003). Avoid in pregnancy (Senatore 1996; Zwaving & Bos 1996; Sørensen & Katsiotis 2000).
Tổng Quan
- Danh pháp khoa học
- Vitex agnus castus L.
- Họ thực vật
- Verbenaceae
- Bộ phận dùng
- Leaves / Seeds (two source tissues, two chemotype profiles)
- Phương pháp chiết xuất
- steam_distillation
- Màu sắc
- —
- Phân loại nốt hương
- Nốt Top
- Hương thơm
- —
- Chemotype / Cultivar
- —
Tình trạng tại Việt Nam
Xem chi tiết
Phân loại nốt
Top
Cường độ
3/5
Độ bền trên da
2–4 giờ
Họ hương
Camphoraceous-herbal-woody (cineole leaf) or fresh-terpene-herbal (sabinene seed)
Hương đầu (Opening)(0–15 phút)
Sun-warmed Mediterranean hillside herbs, crisp camphorous edge sharpening the air, faintly peppery green spice from shadowed seeds, soft resinous warmth rising in the dry-down, clean and quietly medicinal
Hương giữa (Heart)(15–60 phút)
Thảo mộc đồi Địa Trung Hải ngập nắng gió, sắc long não mát lạnh vút lên tươi tỉnh, cay nhẹ như hạt tiêu xanh thoảng qua, nhựa cây ấm áp lặng lẽ giữ chân, trong sáng và trầm tĩnh đến lạ
Hương nền (Drydown)(1–4 giờ)
2–4 giờ
Cường độ hương
3/5
Da khô
2/5
Da dầu/mụn
2/5
Da lão hóa
3/5
Da thường
2/5
Da nhạy cảm
1/5
Da hỗn hợp
2/5
Nhập khẩuImported
Tên gọi tại Việt Nam
Tinh dầu Cây trinh nữ Địa Trung Hải (Vitex)
Pha Chế & Hòa Hợp
Hormonal modulation — progesterone pathway
Topical application at 1.5% demonstrated measurable progesterone-mediated endocrine effects (breakthrough bleeding in 23.2% of subjects), confirming pharmacological activity; evidence reflects adverse disruption rather than validated therapeutic benefit at the studied concentration.
Ref: Lucks (2003) — n=52, 1.5% topical 3-month study; Lucks (2002) — pilot n=23
Anti-inflammatory — cutaneous
α-Bisabolol constituent inhibits inflammatory mediators via mechanisms consistent with its well-documented activity in chamomile EO; CYP2D6 inhibitory profile may additionally modulate metabolism of pro-inflammatory substrates.
Ref: class-extrapolation from German chamomile (α-bisabolol); Tisserand & Young 2014, Ch.14 (α-Bisabolol, Table 4.11B)
Anxiolytic / nervine
Sesquiterpene-rich profile (farnesene, bisabolol) may contribute mild sedative and nervous-system calming effects via olfactory and dermal pathways, consistent with general sesquiterpene class activity across Verbenaceae.
Ref: class-extrapolation from sesquiterpene-class EOs; Tisserand & Young 2014, Ch.13 p.525–527
Antimicrobial — broad spectrum
Monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbon constituents disrupt microbial membrane integrity; mechanism common across terpene-rich Verbenaceae EOs, though EO-specific MIC data for V. agnus-castus are not cited in the primary source.
Ref: class-extrapolation from Verbenaceae peer EOs; Senatore, Della Porta & Reverchon (1996) — constituent chemistry
CYP2D6 inhibition (pharmacological hazard)
Farnesene and α-bisabolol are documented CYP2D6 inhibitors per T&Y Table 4.11B, affecting metabolism of codeine, tamoxifen, and other CYP2D6 substrates; this is a drug-interaction hazard, not a therapeutic action.
Ref: Tisserand & Young 2014, Ch.14 — Table 4.11B (Farnesene; α-Bisabolol)
AI-summary
Two controlled pilot studies by Lucks examined Vitex agnus-castus EO applied topically. Lucks (2002) — n=23 pilot — documented adverse symptom responses with leaf and seed oil. Lucks (2003) — n=52, 1.5% topical, 3 months — reported 23.2% symptom exacerbation and progesterone breakthrough bleeding, confirming real endocrine activity framed as adverse rather than therapeutic. No positive-outcome RCT for the EO has been located. Caution: extensive phytotherapy evidence for Vitex berry extracts (iridoid-mediated dopaminergic and progesterone receptor activity) is NOT transferable to the steam-distilled EO; iridoid glycosides are non-volatile and absent from the distillate.
NarrativeTâm trạng: Balancing, Calming
clarityrestraintbalancefocusrenewalequanimity
Chakra
sacral
Ngũ hành
moc
| Phương pháp | Liều lượng | Ghi chú |
|---|---|---|
| Diffusion | 2–3 drops in 100 ml water or 3–4 drops per 30-min session | Safest route — avoids dermal methyleugenol exposure. Use for emotional support, cycle-associated stress, or nervine calming. Contraindicated in rooms occupied by pregnant women or children under 12. |
| Topical massage — abdomen / lower back | 1.0–1.3% in carrier oil; strict adult max 1.3%; lower dilution preferred | Apply to lower abdomen or sacral area for menstrual discomfort. Strictly avoid pregnancy and children under 12. Discontinue if breakthrough bleeding occurs. Patch-test 48 h prior. |
| Topical spot application — pulse points | 0.5–1.0% in jojoba or fractionated coconut oil | Wrists, temples, or back of neck for inhalation-combined benefit. Conservative dilution mandatory: methyleugenol IFRA leave-on cap 0.0004% (IFRA 2009), 0.0002% (European Commission 2002). |
| Personal inhaler (nasal stick) | 4–6 drops on cotton wick | On-demand inhalation for PMS emotional symptoms or stress. No carrier needed. Do not share with pregnant users. Replace wick every 2–3 weeks. |
Dầu nền phù hợp
Jojoba oilLiquid wax, near-zero comedogenic rating; stable shelf life minimizes methyleugenol oxidation risk; suits hormonal-skin blends and abdominal massage without adding sensitization load.
Fractionated coconut oilOdorless and very stable — ideal neutral carrier for this pharmacologically active EO; minimizes carrier-side variables; good absorption for abdominal or lower-back application.
Sweet almond oilGentle medium-viscosity carrier for body massage; adds mild skin-conditioning effect; low sensitization potential appropriate given EO's existing methyleugenol sensitization risk.
Kết hợp tốt với
CamphoraceousSpicyWoodyCitrusGreen
Blend kinh điển
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[Tisserand & Young] Ch.13 p.525–527 (Chaste tree)
[Senatore, Della Porta & Reverchon] chemistry, leaf + seed
[Valentini, Bellomaria, Arnold & Arnold] chemistry
[Sørensen & Katsiotis] chemistry, methyleugenol-bearing chemotype
[Lucks] pilot study n=23, leaf + seed oil adverse symptoms
[Zwaving & Bos] chemistry
[Chapter 14 Constituent profiles] Methyleugenol (rodent carcinogen), Farnesene + α-Bisabolol (CYP2D6 inhibitors Table 4.11B)
[IFRA] methyleugenol 0.0004% leave-on
[European Commission] SCCNFP methyleugenol 0.0002% leave-on
An Toàn
Giới hạn da tối đa
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Giới hạn IFRA
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Thai kỳ & Cho con bú
Tam cá nguyệt 1Unknown
Tam cá nguyệt 2Unknown
Tam cá nguyệt 3Unknown
Giới hạn độ tuổi
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Bảo quản
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