Herb Directory

The herb chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus), also known as chasteberry, has a fascinating history rooted in ancient cultures. Native to the Mediterranean region and Asia, it was revered by the Greeks and Romans. Theophrastus mentioned it as “agnos” in his work Enquiry into Plants.

The name “chastetree” reflects the belief that it could reduce sexual desires, leading to its use by monks in the Middle Ages. In ancient Greece, it was sacred to goddesses like Hera, Hestia, Artemis, and Demeter. The wooden image of Asclepius in Sparta was even crafted from the chaste tree.

Today, it’s cultivated for its aromatic foliage and midsummer spikes of lavender flowers, attracting butterflies. Its macaronic name, “agnus-castus,” emphasizes its sacred association with the virginal goddess Hestia/Vesta.