Chaste Tree (aka Texas Lilac)

[Sookie]

Hey ya'll-----in the spirit of using what you've got...

Does anyone know of any uses for chaste tree leaves, flowers etc.? We have a huge 20 or 30 year old speciman growing outside our bedroom window. It's pretty and the birds love it, but its intensely "herbal" scent makes me think there might be more to it.

I don't think it's edible, and I'm too inexpert to even consider medicinal uses, so I don't know what other "uses" there might be. As a dye, maybe? I'd be thrilled if it turned out to be the perfect all-natural toilet bowl cleaner.

any thoughts?

[TastyofHasty]

Here are a few things I found on the 'net: ...

---Medicinal Action and Uses---The fresh ripe berries are pounded to a pulp and used in the form of a tincture for the relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, weakness, etc.

It has also been called Indian-Spice, and Wild-Pepper, referring to the use of the fruits as a pepper substitute. The small round fruits (seeds) have a pungent scent and flavor reminiscent of black pepper.

Chaste tree is a shrub growing from nine to seventeen feet tall, though specimens can reach twenty-five feet high in the deep South.

Chaste tree has been used for the treatment of menstrual difficulties for at least 2,500 years. The Greek physician Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) wrote, "If blood flows from the womb, let the woman drink dark wine in which the leaves of the chaste tree have been steeped."

It was found that chaste tree fruit preparations act on the pituitary gland to regulate the production of, and induce normalization of the ovarian hormones. The timing of the release of pituitary hormones, regulates menstruation, fertility, and other processes. Hence, an agent that will produce a balance of hormones can help to regulate these processes.

Maybe you could just save berries & sell 'em to a health food store(?)

http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/newspaper/d_williams.gif

[johno]

Woah, I wish I had known that a few months ago! I guess it wouldn't help anyway since I don't know where any chaste tree is, but I sure could have used "relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, weakness, etc." before my surgery a couple of months ago! I had a bone spur growing into my spinal cord causing those exact symptoms... At least I'll know the next time it happens to someone else.

[TastyofHasty]

Johno, I hope the surgery cleared up the problem!

[johno]

I'm having a fast recovery compared to most. The damage was extensive and long term (I hate going to the doctor...), and the spinal cord takes a long time to heal. But I had improvement from the moment I woke up in recovery, and the doctors are impressed with the improvements since then. I worked my first full day in the blazing sun today since last year. Thank God for aloe vera, and thank you for your concern!

On a lighter note, how common is chaste tree? Is it native? Where would I find one?

[sunmad strawgirl]

It is very good to hear that you are having a quick recovery. That can be a very nasty and complicated surgery - and there is very little worse than the pain and complications that come with things impinging into your spinal cord. Others I have known with a similar problem have gone through a pretty hard recovery process. If you're out and working in the garden in the hot sun all day though, sounds like you're doing great. I sincerly hope that continues throughout (and that the resulting sunburn isn't too bad :) ).

On topic - I believe the chaste tree is not native to any part of North america but was brought over from western asia or the southern part of europe. I think it can be invasive - but I think it would also be pretty happy in most places in Arkansas. I don't know how common it is, though I've seen a few around here is CA.

[TastyofHasty]

And gol darn it, stay out of the hot sun & don't strain anything till it's fully healed. Backs are important! Consider yourself a "tender" plant that needs special treatment! A BIT of moving around ... and a LOT of rest & relaxation ... but you know what is best. It can be very tempting to overdo.

Maybe you could find chaste tree seed ... by googling "chaste tree" seed.

[justdoit]

If we are thinking of the same plant, it is grown by lots of bee keepers because it blooms during summer when other nectar plants are not.

Vitex Negundo is the hardiest...survies in southern New England. Alba being the hardiest of all.

"The Chaste Tree, Hemp tree, or Monk's Pepper tree, Vitex Agnus-Castus, a native of Southern Europe and Eastern Asia, grows 10 or 12 ft. high, has four-angled branchlets, leaves rather like those of Hemp, with five to seven leaflets, dark green above, gray beneath, and attractive terminal heads of small lilac or violet colored flowers in September." (Don't know who reported the above, but ours blooms from July into fall here in Southern MO) Anyone interested in seed could probably talk us out of some in late fall. ;O)

[johno]

justdoit, I would be interested in some of those seeds. Can you put me on a list? :)

[justdoit]

Johno, you have mail. ;O) They act like natives...once established.

[johno]

Thanks justdoit! They have a lot of competition awaiting them. I think I'll make a hedge.

[Sookie]

thanks for the input, folks.

I may try making a dye from the leaves or berries. will let you know how it turns out.

I don't know what the "10'-12'" is about. Ours is quite a bit taller than our house.

Also, I don't think it's invasive here. Not enough water. Mine has never ever made a baby that I know of. I do worry about such things.

[justdoit]

Sookie, one reason they don't get as big is pruning back. Since they bloom on new wood and we want to keep them bushy, they get cut to the ground every so often... or somewhere in between. Plants that just do survive the winters, also don't get as tall as where you live.... such as crepe myrtle and some roses.