August 31, 2025, 5:55 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Miracle cure monk’s pepper? For those struggling to conceive, preparations made from the plant Agnus castus are said to help. Additionally, monk’s pepper is believed to alleviate menstrual discomfort. But can the medicinal plant really—as is often claimed—balance hormones? What effects does it truly have?
What Is Agnus castus?
Monk’s pepper is colloquially known as the “chaste tree.” “Monk’s pepper allegedly reduces libido and was therefore widely used in monasteries to support nuns and monks in their sexually abstinent lifestyle,” explains Dr. Christian Albring, state chairman of the Professional Association of Gynecologists. Today, the fruits of monk’s pepper, which resemble peppercorns, are used for other purposes.
“They contain substances that can affect hormone regulation in the brain,” explains the gynecologist. “Monk’s pepper can be used when it’s suspected that infertility is due to a hormonal imbalance. However, there is no reliability, no certainty that the herbal medicine actually helps and works.
How Does Monk’s Pepper Work?
Monk’s pepper is also said to alleviate other symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance. According to Dr. Christian Albring, these include “irregular cycles, premenstrual syndrome, breast tension—mainly in the days before menstruation begins, but also hot flashes, not only during menopause, but also when these symptoms are triggered during anti-hormone treatment in oncology.” However, one should not expect an immediate effect, as “the intake usually needs to occur over a long period before the effect sets in,” says the gynecologist.
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Who Is the Preparation Suitable for?
Even though the product is natural, Dr. Christian Albring explicitly warns against its use by young girls, pregnant women, and in certain cancers where hormones can influence the course of the disease. It is therefore advisable to discuss the use of monk’s pepper with one’s gynecologist.
How Expensive Is Monk’s Pepper?
The herbal medicine is available over the counter at pharmacies and must be paid for out of pocket. One hundred tablets cost approximately five euros on average. A final tip from the specialist: “If prescribed on a private prescription, the preparation could be tax-deductible within the legal framework.”