Chinese Chastetree

BotanicalBest taken away from food

What is it

Chinese chastetree (Vitex negundo, also called nirgundi or huang jing zi) is a shrub native to Asia. It is used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for joint pain, headaches, asthma, and parasitic conditions. It is related to but distinct from European chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus).

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Joint pain / arthritis (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use; limited modern clinical evidence.

Asthma / respiratory (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Used traditionally; limited modern evidence.

How it works

Vitex negundo contains flavonoids (vitexin, casticin), iridoids, terpenoids and volatile oils. Preclinical studies suggest anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial effects. Traditional use focuses on joint and pain conditions and respiratory complaints. Unlike Vitex agnus-castus, Chinese chastetree is less studied for hormonal effects.

Dosage

No established RDA. Traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine doses range from 5-10 g of dried plant per day.

When and how to take it

Traditional preparations taken between meals.

1 commercial form

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Dried leaves / extract (nirgundi)

Used in Ayurvedic and Chinese preparations.

Variable.

Safety

Generally well tolerated in traditional doses. Limited modern safety data.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of data.

Interactions

No major documented interactions, though hormone-related effects are theoretically possible.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chinese chastetree the same as chasteberry?⌄

No. Chasteberry is Vitex agnus-castus; Chinese chastetree is V. negundo, used differently.

Does it help arthritis?⌄

Traditional use suggests yes; modern clinical evidence is limited.

References

Chinese Chastetree on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Chinese Chastetree (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.