Chaste Tree Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 4,750 found this helpful

No animal poisoning cases for Vitex agnus-castus are recorded in available 2013-published scientific literature

All parts of the plant are explicitly not suitable for use as pet or livestock feed

It may be confused with toxic Cannabis sativa, so accurate identification is critical to avoid exposure risks

FAQ

Is Chaste Tree toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in available literature; monitor for unusual reactions if ingested and contact a medical professional promptly if symptoms appear (Non-toxic)

Is Chaste Tree toxic to Cats?

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported in cats; monitor for gastrointestinal distress or unusual behavior after ingestion, and contact a vet if concerns arise (Non-toxic)

Is Chaste Tree toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported in dogs; monitor for gastrointestinal distress or unusual behavior after ingestion, and contact a vet if concerns arise (Non-toxic)

Is Chaste Tree toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported in horses; monitor for unusual changes in appetite or behavior after ingestion, and contact a vet if concerns arise (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in available literature; monitor for unusual reactions if ingested and contact a medical professional promptly if symptoms appear

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported in cats; monitor for gastrointestinal distress or unusual behavior after ingestion, and contact a vet if concerns arise

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported in dogs; monitor for gastrointestinal distress or unusual behavior after ingestion, and contact a vet if concerns arise

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported in horses; monitor for unusual changes in appetite or behavior after ingestion, and contact a vet if concerns arise

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo plant parts are confirmed to cause poisoning in animals per published literature, but all parts are unsuitable for use as animal feed

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary potential exposure route; routine skin contact poses no known health risk for healthy individuals

Toxic CompoundsNo specific toxic compounds have been isolated and confirmed for this species in available published research

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse the mouth thoroughly with clean water immediately after ingestion to remove any remaining plant material
• Clear any leftover plant parts from the exposure area to prevent further accidental ingestion by humans or pets
• Monitor the exposed individual/pet for unusual reactions like nausea, vomiting, lethargy, or allergic responses for 24 hours post-exposure

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet ingested a large volume of the plant
• If your pet develops unusual symptoms like persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy after exposure
• If you cannot confirm the ingested plant is chaste tree and suspect it may be the toxic lookalike Cannabis sativa

Prevention

• Accurately identify all plants in pet-accessible areas to distinguish chaste tree from its toxic lookalike hemp
• Never feed any part of chaste tree to pets, livestock, or horses, even as a supplemental feed
• Keep potted chaste tree plants out of reach of young children and curious small pets to avoid accidental ingestion

Treatment & Prognosis

• Provide supportive care as directed by a medical or veterinary professional based on presented symptoms
• No specific antidote exists for this plant, so care is targeted at managing any adverse reactions if they occur
• Inform your care provider if the plant was initially misidentified as hemp to ensure appropriate care planning

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameVitex agnus-castus L.

AliasesChastetree、Chasteberry、Abraham's bush、Abraham's balm、Lilac chastetree、Monk's pepper

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No specific target organs for toxicity have been confirmed for this species

Mechanism of Action

• No specific toxic mechanism has been identified for this species in available research

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): No documented poisoning cases, but the plant is not suitable for use as regular or supplemental feed

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): No confirmed toxicity data available; avoid feeding any part of the plant to small mammals

Pet birds: No confirmed toxicity data available; monitor for adverse reactions if accidental ingestion occurs

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Vitex species Vitex spp.

Visually similar to other Vitex species; all other documented Vitex species are non-toxic, distinguishing features vary by individual species

Butterfly bush Buddleja davidii

Visually similar due to long, clustered flower spikes; both plants are non-toxic, butterfly bush has broader, more heavily serrated leaves than chaste tree

Hemp Cannabis sativa

Foliage shape may be confused with chaste tree leaves; Cannabis sativa is toxic to humans and animals, distinguishable by its characteristic narrow, sharply serrated leaflets and psychoactive compound content

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Related Toxic Plants

Pennyroyal

Mentha pulegium

High toxicity; ingestion can cause severe liver and organ damage in humans and all animal species

Diviner's Sage

Salvia divinorum

Moderate toxicity; ingestion causes neurological impairment and gastrointestinal distress in humans and pets

Perilla

Perilla frutescens

Moderate toxicity; toxic to grazing livestock, dogs, and cats, causing respiratory damage and organ failure in severe cases

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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