Chasteberry(Vitex agnus-castus): Chasteberry is becoming widely used as an herb that addresses various hormonal imbalances in women. The clinical results are thought to be due to some regulatory effect upon the pituitary gland.²¹ Recent findings confirm that chasteberry helps restore a normal estrogen-to-progesterone balance.²² It is indicated for irregular or painful menstruation,²³ premenstrual syndrome,²⁴ and other disorders related to hormone function. It is especially beneficial during menopausal changes, relieving symptoms such as hot flashes. It may be used to aid the body in regaining a natural balance after the use of birth control pills. Other ailments treatable with chasteberry include fibroid cysts that occur in smooth muscle tissue or body cavities. It may also be of value in treating endometriosis. Several studies indicate chasteberry can help control acne in teenagers, both among young women and men.²⁵

Echinacea(Echinacea angustifolia): Often called purple coneflower, the term echinacea refers to several species of plants that are generally found in the Great Plains region of North America. It was the most widely used medicinal plant of the Native Americans of this area. Native Americans often exploited echinacea for its external wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Ironically, it was a German researcher, Dr. Gerhard Madaus, who imported echinacea seeds to Europe and initiated the first modern scientific research on the immunostimulating properties of this plant. Due to his work, echinacea has become one of the most important over-the-counter remedies in Germany, where it is employed for relieving the common cold and flus.