Chastetree Berry - Feed Ingredient

Chastetree berry, also known as Vitex agnus-castus or monk’s pepper, is the dried fruit of the chaste tree, a shrub native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia. The berries are small and dark purple, and have been traditionally used in herbal medicine for their effects on the endocrine system, particularly in regulating hormonal balance.

In equine nutrition, chastetree berry is most commonly used in supplements formulated for hormonal or reproductive support, especially in older horses or those exhibiting signs associated with pituitary dysfunction. The active compounds in chastetree berry are believed to influence dopamine levels, which in turn may help modulate pituitary activity. Its use is most frequently associated with aged horses showing symptoms consistent with conditions like pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), although research in equines is limited.