Introduction:  

Nirgundi is an Ayurvedic medicine made from the dried leaves of Vitex negundo (Family Verbenaceae), a large aromatic shrub or small tree up to 4.5 m height, common throughout the country to an altitude of 1500 m in the outer Himalayas.¹ It is commonly known as Five leaved chaste trees, which is a large family of herbs, shrubs and trees, comprising of about 75 genera and nearly 2500 species.²

Common names of Vitex Negundo include Nirgundi and Sindhuvara in Sanskrit. Nirgundi is already in clinical use in traditional systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha for the management of pain, headache, inflammation, leukoderma, enlargement of spleen, rheumatoid arthritis, gonorrhoea, bronchitis, fever, cold and cough.² The leaves of V.negundo have been reported to possess pesticidal and antifungal properties.² 

Chemical Constituents of Nirgundi Plant: 

Nirgundi contains atleast 0.25 percent of negundoside and 1.0 percent of agnuside when assayed.¹ The following table contains the chemical components present in the Nirgundi plant: 

Therapeutic Uses of Nirgundi:  

The leaves of nirgundi have antibacterial, laxative, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, hypoglycaemic, and anti-inflammatory properties.² The roots, barks, and fruits too have medicinal properties. Roots of nirgundi are one of the ingredients of the herbal formulation called ‘Dashamularishta’, used in the management of colitis, dysentery, diarrhoea, flatulence, fever, vomiting, and colic.² The leaves contain alkaloid nisindine, flavonoids like flavones, luteolin-7-glycoside an essential oil, and constituents like vitamin C,  and carotene that account for different biological actions .²  

Benefits of Nirgundi: 

Benefits of Nirgundi for Infections :  

• Nirgundi essential oil showed antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa.²
• The phytoconstituents d-guaiene, germacrene D, and hexadecenoic acid found in nirgundi are responsible for this anti-bacterial activity.²  
• The leavd extracts possesses a new flavone glycoside, which has antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. ^2-3 

Benefits of Nirgundi for Pain:  

• The anti-inflammatory and pain suppressing activities of fresh leaves of nirgundi are attributed to prostaglandin synthesis inhibition.²
• When tested in an animal model, the pain-relieving activity of extract of V. negundo was compared with that of aspirin and meperidine.
• The study concluded that the Nirgundi leaves showed strong analgesic activity and may be used as an adjuvant therapy with standard analgesics.³ 

Benefits of Nirgundi for Liver:  

• The extracts of V. negundo seeds decreased the serum levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase.³
• The alcoholic seed extract also showed protective action on the liver against Carbon-tetrachloride(CCL4)-induced liver toxicity.³ 

Benefits of Nirgundi for Arthritis:  

• The heated leaf is used for managing rheumatoid arthritis-related pain and sprains.
• The oil prepared from the leaves can also be used.³  

Benefits of Nirgundi for Lungs:  

Nirgundi root decoction can be used for managing bronchitis and asthma.^2-3  

Benefits of Nirgundi for Diabetes: 

The leaf extracts of Vitex Negundo were reported for their anti-hyperglycaemic activity in animals.^2,3 

Benefits of Nirgundi for Wounds: 

Washing the wounds with nirgundi leaves extract can aid in cleaning infected ulcers.³ 

Benefits of Nirgundi for Skin: 

• Nirgundi leaf juice may be beneficial in managing bacterial and parasitic skin infections.
• Nirgundi seeds are used to deal with skin diseases and leprosy.⁴ 

Benefits of Nirgundi as an Antioxidant: 

The water-soluble constituents of Vitex negundo possess potent antioxidant activities.

Human studies might demonstrate its efficacy in humans.^2,3 

Also Read: Ashwagandha – Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

How to Use Nirgundi Plant?  

The following parts of the Nirgundi plant can be used: 

Leaves: 

Nirgundi leaves can be boiled with water and the vapours can be inhaled.3 Nirgundi leaves can be ground to a paste and applied to the forehead to relieve headaches.³ 

Flowers:

Flower extracts of Nirgundi may be used in the management of fever, diarrhoea, and liver complaints.³ 

Seeds: 

The seeds can be used with sugarcane or vinegar for the management of swellings. Powdered seeds can be used in the management of spermatorrhea and serve as an aphrodisiac when used along with dry ginger and milk.⁴ The seeds can be made into a paste and used with salt and pepper for applying on fractures.³ 

Roots: 

Root powder, the tincture can be used for managing dysentery.3 The powdered root is used for anthelmintic property.3 Root extract can be dissolved in tender coconut water for a week to suppress kidney problems.³ 

Fruit:

The dried fruit powder can be taken orally with roasted common salt and warm water for dealing with menstrual disorders, urinary disorders, and indigestion.³ 

Your Ayurvedic physician will prescribe you the form and dose as per your needs. 

Also Read: Shilajit – Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Precautions to Take With Nirgundi: 

Keep the following points in mind: 

• People with hormone-dependent conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, or cancers of the breast, uterus, and prostate should not take Nirgundi.  
• It is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers for lack of safety studies.⁴ 

Also Read: Parijat – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. How to use Nirgundi leaves? 

Nirgundi leaves can be used as powder, juice, extract, and paste. The primary process involves boiling or crushing the leaves for chemical extractions.² 

2. Can I use Nirgundi leaves for my skin allergies? 

The ethanolic extract of V. negundo showed antiallergic activity against mast cells and inhibited oedema (swelling).^2,3 Thus, may be useful in dealing with skin allergies once large-scale human studies are done. 

3. Can I use Nirgundi for fatty liver? 

Nirgundi has shown and thus, may be used for its protective action on the liver as it prevents inflammation. The extract of seeds can be used to lower elevated liver enzymes and prevent liver damage.^2-4 

4. Can I use Nirgundi for chronic fever and body pain? 

Nirgundi leaf extracts show high fever-reducing and pain-relieving activities. They may be useful for managing chronic fever and body pain once more human studies are available.^2-4 

5. Can I use Nirgundi for abdominal gas and distention? 

Nirgundi has carminative action, which can help deal with gas and digestive problems. In addition, the decoction of juice from the leaves too may aid in managing digestive issues.^2-4 

6. Where to store the Nirgundi leaves or extract? 

Nirgundi leaves should be stored in a dry airtight container, and they should be kept away from direct sunlight.¹ 

Also Read: Triphala Guggulu – Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

References:  

1. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, 1st edition, Part I, Volume IX. Delhi (IN): Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy. Monographs (Extracts). Nirgundi.  

2. Kantesh M Basalingappa, Vinutha T, Gopenath TS, et.al. Medicinal Values and Pharmacological Activities of Vitex Negundo LInn.  Journal of Global Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2020. II (1) 7579-7589. ISSN –2230-7346. 

3. Harikesh Mourya, Vikas Rao. The Favorable Role of Alkaloids from Vitex negundo in the Management of Human Ailments. Annals of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology. 2019, Volume 1. Article 1007. Available from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301516186_Vitex_negundo_Medicinal_Values_Biological_Activities_Toxicity_Studies_Phytopharmacological_Actions [PDF]  

4. SC Ahuja, Siddharth Ahuja, Uma Ahuja. Nirgundi (VItex negundo) – Nature’s GIft to Mankind. Asian Agri-History Vol.19. No 1. 2015 (5-32). [Internet] [Available from – https://www.asianagrihistory.org/pdf/volume19/nirgundi-natures-gift-to-mankind.pdf  

Also Read: Pashanbhed – Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Disclaimer:

The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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