Chaste Tree

overall appearance

Large deciduous shrub or small tree growing 8-20 feet tall with aromatic, palmate leaves and long spikes of purple, blue, or white flowers.

roots

Deep taproot system with spreading lateral roots; roots are woody and help anchor the plant in sandy or rocky soils.

stem

Multiple woody stems with gray-brown bark; young branches are square in cross-section (characteristic of mint family) and covered with fine hairs.

leaves

Opposite, palmately compound leaves with 5-7 lance-shaped leaflets; leaflets are 2-4 inches long, gray-green above, whitish beneath with aromatic scent.

flowers

Small, tubular, fragrant flowers arranged in dense, upright spikes 4-12 inches long; flowers are typically purple-blue but can be pink or white.

fruits/seeds

Small, round, dark purple berries about 1/4 inch diameter; berries have a peppery taste and contain 4 small seeds surrounded by aromatic flesh.

1-2 teaspoons dried berries per cup water, simmer 10-15 minutes

1:5 ratio in 60% alcohol, 2-5 ml daily in morning

20-40mg daily of extract standardized to 0.5% agnuside

175-225mg standardized extract daily

1 teaspoon crushed berries per cup hot water, steep 10-15 minutes