Vitex (Chaste Tree) Berries
Vitex berries are small, peppery-smelling dried fruits from the chaste tree, a Mediterranean shrub long used in folk herbalism, most often steeped as a daily tea.
What It Is
The chaste tree has grown around the Mediterranean for thousands of years, and its berries have been a fixture in folk traditions across Europe and the Middle East for just as long. The dried berries look a little like peppercorns and carry a faintly spicy, almost piney smell that is unlike anything else in the herb aisle.
Vitex is one of those slow-and-steady herbs. Traditional use calls for it to be taken daily over weeks or months rather than now and then, usually as a simple tea. It has a long history in European folk practice, and it is still one of the most recognizable herbs in that tradition today.
What To Do
To make a tea, use one teaspoon of whole berries per cup of water. Bring the water to a boil, pour it over the berries, and steep for ten to fifteen minutes before straining. The flavor is mild, slightly bitter, and a little piney. It blends quietly with lemon balm, licorice root, or orange peel if you want something more rounded.
Store the berries somewhere cool and dark, away from light and moisture. A sealed jar works well. Whole berries hold their character longer than ground herbs, so no need to crush them until you are ready to brew.
