Vitex agnus-castus has delicate-textured aromatic foliage and butterfly-attracting mid-summer spikes of lavender flowers opening in late summer in cooler climates.

The leaves and tender stem growth of the upper 10 cm (3.9 in), along with the flowers and ripening seeds, are harvested for alternative medicinal purposes. It is believed the berries are a tonic herb for both the male and female reproductive systems. The leaves are believed to have the same effect, but to a lesser degree. The leaves, flowers, and/or berries may be consumed as a decoction, traditional tincture, cider vinegar tincture, syrup, elixir, or simply eaten from the plant with presumed benefits as food.

It has a long history of use in herbalism as a treatment for a range of conditions, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), acne, fibrocystic breast disease, infertility in women, heavy menstrual bleeding, menopausal symptoms, lack of breast milk, benign prostatic hyperplasia in men (BPH), migraine headaches, and joint disorders.