AGNUS CASTUS (Vitex agnus-castus)
Agnus castus may be small, but it’s mighty - this ancient ‘hormone harmoniser’ has been supporting mares (and humans) for centuries with its gentle balancing touch.
Note: This a nutritional, functional food supplement and not veterinary medicine. For more information, refer to Dr Kellon's Horse Sense - Nutrition is not 'Alternative' Therapy
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💧Tincture
Our human-grade tinctures give you a ready-to-absorb potent source of phytonutrients at the highest-strength available, for immediate absorption straight into the bloodstream and to the body’s cells.
- Vitex agnus-castus
- Whole Berry
- Distilled /Decocted 1:3 25%
- Wild harvested
Feed Guide
- 6ml/100kg bodyweight, daily in feed.
- Always shake the bottle to disperse any sediment.
- 3-year shelf-life.
- Our tinctures come in a heat-sealed, twin-neck, child-resistant HDPE plastic dosing bottle, complete with dosing chamber.
*HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) plastic is 100% recyclable, and energy-efficient to produce. Safe for food/water storage, it reduces waste and emissions while resisting wear. A top sustainable choice to match the EquiNatural ethos.
🌿Dried Herb
- Vitex agnus-castus
- Whole Berry, Dried
- Organic Cultivated
- Origin Turkey
Feed Guide
- 5g/100kg bodyweight per day, thus for an average 500kg horse add 25g daily to feed.
- 1-year shelf-life.
- Want a scoop? You can add a scoop to your basket during checkout.
- Supplied in a resealable, food-grade foil pouch for freshness.
Footnotes
- Pregnant or nursing mares - always seek veterinary advice before feeding.
- ♻️ Eco Note: Our packaging is recyclable and refillable.
- 🧊 Storage Tip: Keep cool and dry.
Functional Nutritional Value
Constituents: Iridoid glycosides, flavenoids, essential oil.
- Our range of botanicals are all grown, harvested, and dried without the use of agri-chemicals, non-irradiated and GMO free - see our Quality page for Quality Management & Certification Documents.
- Laboratory tested for identification and compliance to the British and European Pharmacopoeia standards.
- Human grade.
- Please be aware that if you're purchasing our dried botanicals for human use, our dried range is cut to appropriate sizes for feeding to horses.
More ...
Agnus castus may be tiny, but this humble seed has been making waves for thousands of years. Native to the sun-soaked Mediterranean and a cousin of verbena , it was famously known in the Middle Ages as the “chaste tree,” believed to help monks stay virtuous (or at least less distracted!).
Why the reputation for chastity? No one’s quite sure, but herbalist Christopher Hobbs suggested it might be because the plant was considered “warming and drying” - said to cool passions in some, yet curiously sparking them in others.
This fascinating little berry has quite the resume. Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides praised it as “warming and astringent,” recommending it for uterine and hip troubles, while Hippocrates - yes, that Hippocrates - wrote 2,500 years ago that women should drink wine infused with agnus castus leaves to help regulate menstrual flow. Fast forward to the 1700s, and the English were using it for digestive issues too.
Today, agnus castus is best loved for what it does best: balancing hormones. It’s thought to gently nudge progesterone and estrogen into harmony, while also acting as a galactagogue (supporting milk production) and even lifting mood thanks to its dopamine-like compounds.
Why do we use it for horses?
That same hormone-balancing magic that supports humans works wonders for mares struggling with their seasons. It’s also valued for its link to the pituitary gland, making it a helpful ally for horses with Cushing’s (PPID).
Herbalists have long known that agnus castus works best with consistent, long-term use - think of it as a steady hand on the hormonal button, not a quick fix.
From ancient remedies to modern science, agnus castus has stood the test of time as a trusted friend for hormonal balance, mood support, and reproductive health - for humans and horses alike.
We blend it in our MellowMare
and CushTonic.
Safety
No known safety issues.
