I've been taking chasteberry (herb) (1 capsule a day) this month, and I
did not get the pms breakouts on my jawline that I always get. Huge
improvement, I can't remember the last time I didn't get a cycle
breakout (or five). My jawline and cycle are the remaining problem areas
I've had...

I take one capsule a day (chasteberry is also known as Vitex).

http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/vitex.html


I've been trying everything under the sun (topical and bcp) for years to
help with these hormone breakouts, and this is the first stuff to really
make a difference (knock on wood). Plus, it is only ONE capsule a day.
And it helps with pms and stuff. Yayyyyyyyyyy

Ditto!

I *always* get the jawline/mouth-area breakout approximately 7 days before
my cycle. I guess I just learned to live with it...Considering what I looked
like Pre-Accutane!

Thanks for the advice. I can't wait to try it.

^_^ L

Lauksna wrote:

Absolutely try it, I am amazed. It's cheap, safe, and you only have to
take one-a-day (but you do have to take it every day of the month, not
just the week before).

I think it addresses the root of the problem, instead of just treating
the symptoms. I'll kick myself if it is this easy (for wasting so much
time on other stuff), but I will gratefully take the solution!
GL!

I was wondering, do you guys think this would have any use for men? I mean
could it help with the male hormones that cause acne?

"kita" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:U7_qb.13190$E9.10218@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...

main event wrote:
Yes, but it might have libido side effects..

"Although studies are lacking, the antiandrogenic effect of chaste tree
berry is the rationale behind the use of this herb to treat acne in both
men and women and its very occasional use to reduce an overactive libido."

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_chaste_tree.htm

"kita" wrote ...
Thanks Kita.

Not only have I got an awful itchy lumpy rash-like breakout along my
jawline, but I managed to get the lower half of my face a wee bit sunburned
yesterday, and that's making the itching ten times worse!

So something that might prevent the breakout in the first place is a very
attractive proposition at the moment!

cheers
Rachel (ear to ear itchies)
New Zealand

Supergoof wrote:

Yeah, try the vitex, it works for "undergrounders" at any rate!

MSM dissolved in water helps itchies, if you have any (msm)..
Hope it goes away fast for ya!

kita <me@privacy.net> wrote in message news:<U7_qb.13190$E9.10218@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>.. .
Hi Kita,

Could you please post an update on your Vitex use so far? I would
also appreciate it if anyone else using Vitex could describe their
progress as well.

My main concerns are the following: aside fr. the acne factor, does
the Vitex make any difference in overall skin and hair oilyness? Have
you experienced any side effects?

TIA!

Grace wrote:

It's still working GREAT for me. No undergrounders or cysts at all. I
forget to take it some days, so I'm taking it maybe 4-5 times a week.



No side effects at all, in fact, from what I read about it, I couldn't
really find any side effects to watch out for (and it's been used for
thousands of years). On the acne board where I heard about it, someone
said it made them tired, so they took it at night instead of a.m. I
haven't noticed that. One or two others have said it stopped working for
them at 6-12 months, perhaps their systems were regulated then. But
that's the only two downsides that I have heard of from anyone.

I have noticed an improvement in libido. But I consider that a good side
effect. Other than that, no side effects at all. I'll have to see
through a few cycles to gauge what it does for pms, but I expect it to
improve that as well...

I have not noticed any change in oiliness. I think it really helps with
any hormone imbalance, and by doing that it stops the undergrounders
that come with pms. (which were my main problem, and also the ones that
would leave scars). It really has stopped those for me. But I don't see
any other skin changes. With b5, my skin dried up, i got those mosquito
bite things, and other skin changes that I saw right away. With the
vitex, I see no change other than I have not gotten any inflammatory
breakouts whatsoever (no papule/pustule/cyst etc).

I do have a small area by one temple of noninflammatory spots. It's
really stubborn and I think it could be demodex or a rash or something.
The Vitex has had no effect on that area at all (good or bad).

I can only attribute the end of inflammatory breakouts to the Vitex,
because my regimen is very minimal right now. I cleanse with water and
the microfiber cloth, and most days don't use any topical or use o2
drops. Certainly nothing that would impact a forming cyst.

If you suspect hormones/pms may be causing you breakouts, you really
should try the Vitex. It's cheap and results happen with just one pill a
day. And I think that it helps the actual problem (hormone imbalance),
which is most important.

But again, from what I see, it only makes a difference in inflammatory
breakouts.

HTH!