ΑΓΝΟΣ
Vitex agnus-castus
(Monk's pepper)
Botanical info:
Aromatic deciduous shrub or low tree, with height 1 to 5 m. Densely short-hairy twigs, with delicate-textured aromatic foliage, flowering April to October. Monk's pepper, is native in the Mediterranean region but with cosmopolitan expansion preferring seasonal stream banks, and sunny places.
Hippocratic legacy:
ΑΓΝΟΣ
a. In Ulcers monk’s pepper is recommended:
i. Against oedemas and wound inflammations.
b. In Nature of Women is indicated:
i. Against uterus bleeding.
c. In Diseases of Women 1 is described:
i. Against interruption of milk secretion in suckling mothers.
ii. Αs birth assisting stimulant.
iii. Abortion stimulant.
ΑΓΝΟΣ
a. In Diseases of Women 1 is described that:
i. Monk’s pepper fruit stimulates placenta extraction.
b. In Diseases of Women 2 is described the following recipe:
i. Mix monk’s pepper fruit with leaves against vulval and rectal nematoid warms.
Other uses:
The seeds were once held in repute for securing chastity, and the Athenian matrons in the sacred rites of Ceres used to string their couches with the leaves. 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 is believed the berries are a tonic herb for both the male and female reproductive systems. The leaves are believed to have the same effect, but to a lesser degree. The leaves, flowers, and/or berries may be consumed as a decoction, traditional tincture, cider vinegar tincture, syrup, elixir, or simply eaten from the plant with presumed benefits as food.