⛰️Tibetan Medicine

Vitex (Rang Gi Spos)

Vitex negundo

About Vitex (Rang Gi Spos)

Vitex (Rang Gi Spos) (Vitex negundo) is a herb used in the Tibetan Medicine tradition to help with Arthritis, Nerve Support, Menopause, and Headache. The aerial parts and leaves are the parts traditionally used, taken internally.

Botanical background

Vitex negundo, commonly known as the Chinese chastetree, five-leaved chaste tree, or horseshoe vitex, is a large aromatic shrub with quadrangular, densely whitish, tomentose branchlets. It is widely used in folk medicine, particularly in South and Southeast Asia.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Aerial Parts · internalLeaves · internal
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Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily
  • Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Vitex (Rang Gi Spos) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
  • Cover while steeping.
  • Strain and drink.
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Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Vitex (Rang Gi Spos) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
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Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Vitex (Rang Gi Spos) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.
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Topical / Poultice

1–2× daily as needed
  • Mash fresh Vitex (Rang Gi Spos) or mix the powder with a little water to form a paste.
  • Apply to the affected area for 20–30 minutes.
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Infused Oil

Massage into affected area 1–2× daily
  • Fill a jar with dried Vitex (Rang Gi Spos).
  • Pour over a carrier oil until submerged.
  • Leave for 4–6 weeks, then strain.
  • Use topically or as a salve base.
🛁

Herbal Bath

2–3× per week as needed
  • Brew 4–6 tbsp of Vitex (Rang Gi Spos) in 1 litre of hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and add to a warm bath.
  • Soak for 20–30 minutes.

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
  • Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
  • Hormone-sensitive conditions (breast/ovarian cancer, endometriosis) — phytoestrogenic activity possible

Warnings

⛔ Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Avoid use during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless under direct supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Drug & herb interactions

Hormone therapies, dopamine-affecting medications

Affects dopamine and hormone pathways.

Where to find in nature

Native region

Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, northern India

Climate

High-altitude alpine

Habitat

Alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and valleys above 3,000 m in the Himalayan region

🌿 To see Vitex (Rang Gi Spos) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

  • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
  • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
  • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
  • Farmers markets with herb vendors

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Vitex (Rang Gi Spos), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.