Nutraceutical
Agnuside
Useful to counter premenstrual syndrome and gynaecological disorders.The berries and leaves of Chaste Tree are the main reserves of Agnuside and contain flavonoids, glycosides and terpenoids. It is used for the treatment of various gynaecological problems, such as premenstrual syndrome, uterine disorders and mastalgia. Depending on whether the dosage is low or high, it can have a negative or positive effect on the production of prolactin, a hormone that also has an effect on sexual desire.
Agnuside is one of the active ingredients of Chaste Tree, a Verbenaceae shrub typical in humid climates of the Mediterranean area. Mentioned by Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder, it is cultivated for its aromatic leaves and can reach 5 metres in height. In ancient times, Chaste Tree was considered an anaphrodisiac, hence the reference to the chastity of its name. More recently it has also been renamed "monk’s pepper", in association with this alleged function of curbing the temptations of libido.
