My acupunturist told me to stop taking Vitex

[washdc03]

I switched to a new acupuncturist who specializes in reproductive health. Today was my second appt with her and I brought along everything I'm taking (vitamins and Vitex) plus my BBT chart. She said it's okay to finish the bottle of Vitex I already have (I've been taking if for 2 weeks) but to not buy more after that. She has me on Chinese herbs--pills that I take 3 times a day and, starting today, Dong quai tea twice a day--and said that Vitex is not part of Chinese medicine and that it will be hard for her to control what's going on and how to change the dosage of the Chinese herbs if I keep taking Vitex. She's very knowledgeable and I have confidence in her, but I would like to keep taking Vitex because of all the positive things I've heard about it. She didn't seem to think there was necessarily any harm in taking it. I was just wondering if any of you have taken Vitex while being treated with Chinese medicine or if you've heard from your acupucturist that you should stop Vitex.

Thanks!

[MrsMoonBeam]

Interesting, my acupuncturist recommended Vitex! It helped my cycles but I think it may have caused some depression in me (usually it relieves depression, though) so I quit it.

[puffnstuff]

I feel that vitex helps me, but I would, if I were you, give the Chinese medicine a chance to work on its own for a while. If it doesn't help, maybe then re-add the vitex, but it might be that one of the Chinese herbs or combinations does something similar to vitex already, so just give it a shot. You can always go back on the vitex again later.

[MissBehave]

My acupuncturist told me to stop charting when I was visiting her 3 years ago. Well I never did as I don't believe that is the reason why my cycles are so long. And she didn't managed to bring AF to me more than once in the 6 months I was visiting her. So, I quit with acupuncture.

[meb4mak]

My acupuncturist told me I shouldn't take Vitex and Metformin at the same time, because Vitex would negate the effects of the Metformin. I hadn't heard that before or since, but I stopped the Vitex just to be on the safe side.

[sarahgmac]

I think that vitex and the dong quai essentially do the same thing, so you shouldn't do both at the same time. I would give her a chance. (but that is my opinion.)

[Pale Pink Aura]

I have a HUGE amount of respect for chinese medicine and acupuncture and I listen to what mine says. Having said that, mine recommended I take vitex, together with chinese herbals when needed.