NIRGUNDI: A Wholesome Plant

 For thousands of years, we have been using plants for curing different ailments and protection from diseases. Many of those medicinal plants have become an integral part of the culture and folklore with time. Himalayas have been blessed with hundreds of plant species with medicinal value. Many lyrical proverbs on the significance of plants can be heard in our villages. One of the famous proverbs about plants in Himachal Pradesh is:

Jithee Banah, Basuti, varya                              जिथी बना, बसूटी, वरया,
Uthee Aadmi Bemaut Kadi Ni Marya                  ऊथी आदमी बेमौत कदी नी मरया

(Meaning: Where the chaste tree (Vitex negundo; Nirgundi), Malabar nut (Justicia adhatoda; Adusa, Vasaka), and sweet flag (Acorus calamus; Vach) occur, no one can die of diseases).

I am introducing the readers to the first plant of this proverb, i.e., the Nirgundi. The medicinal value of this plant can be judged even from its Sanskrit-Hindi name ‘Nirgundi’, which itself literally means “protects the body from diseases”. Scientifically known as Vitex negundo, nirgundi belongs to the Verbena family (Verbenaceae) of flowering plants. It is extensively used in local healing traditions and Ayurveda.

 

NAMES IN INDIA

English: Chaste tree, Chinese chaste tree, Indian privet Hindi: Samhalu, Saubhalu, Nirgandi Sanskrit: Nirgundi, Nirgunda, Nirgundika, Nisinda, Nilika, Nilapushpi, Indrani, Indranika, Renuka, Sinduka, Sindhuvara, Sindhuvaram, Sinduya, Shephali, Sugandhika, Surasa, Shveta Sephalika, Suvaha Punjabi: Bana Assamese: Pasutia, Aggla-Chita, Pochatia, Aslok Bengali: Nisinda, Samalu, Nirgundi, Sinduari, Beguna, Nishinda, Nishinde Gujarati: Nagoda, Nagaol, Nirgari Kannada: Bile-Nekki Malayalam: Indrani Siddha: Noohi Tamil: Nirkunnchi, Nallanochi Telugu: Nallavalli, Vavilli, Tellavavilli Urdu: Sambhalu, Panjangusht (Source: Ahuja, SC, Ahuja, S. and Ahuja, U. (2015): Nirgundi (Vitex negundo): Nature’s Gift to Mankind. Asian Agri-History 19(1): 5–32.

DISTRIBUTION

India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam.

MORPHOLOGY

Nirgundi is a medium-sized shrub growing to a height of up to 5 meters. Leaves are 3-5-foliolate with the upper side light green and the lower side slightly greyish white in colour. The leaflets are lanceolate or ovate with leaflet base cuneate, margin entire or with 1-3 teeth along the apical region. The central leaflet is 4-13 × 1-4 cm in size. Flowers are mauve to light blue in colour and are borne on a 10-25 cm long inflorescences axis. Flowering occurs during April-June. 

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Flowering twigs contain volatile oils (viridiflorol, p-caryophylene, 4-terpineol, linalool, globulol, elemol, farnesene and aromadendrene), alkaloids (nishindine), lignans, flavonoids, iridoids, terpenes (triterpenes, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes), and steroids.  

MEDICINAL USES

 1. Remedy for Joint Pain

The bark and leaf paste when applied as a poultice on joints and sprained areas, provides relief from pain, spasms and inflammation caused by arthritis and sprains. Leaf powder can also be taken orally in doses of 2-3 g twice a day for these conditions. This property of nirgundi is due to the presence of an alkaloid nishindine.

2. Prevents Premature Greying of Hair

Nirgundi oil prevents premature greying of hair when applied on scalp.

3. Allays Chest Congestion

Nirgundi oil when applied to the nose, neck and chest, allays nose and chest congestion in those suffering from asthma. 1-2 gram powder when taken orally with lukewarm water, it eases the asthma symptoms and decongests the chest. Nirgundi leaves are boiled in water and the vapors are inhaled to get relief from respiratory diseases and chest congestion.

4. Anti-Allergic Property

Nirgundi leaves have anti-histamine and anti-allergic properties. Leaf powder is effective in managing bronchitis and breathing difficulties associated with nasal and bronchial allergies.

5. Relief from Menstrual Cramps

The nirgundi fruits help in easing the discomfort associated with menstrual cramps and uterine fibroids due to the presence of terpenoids. It reduces the breast tenderness associated with premenstrual syndrome.

6. Relieves Anxiety

Nirgundi fruits are reported to uplift mood and reduce the symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia.

7. Anti-Pyretic Property

Boiled leaf and root extract of nirgundi is reported to control high fever when taken orally.

8. Anti-Microbial Activity

Studies have reported that nirgundi plants are effective in combating bacterial and fungal infections.

9. Remedies Epilepsy Symptoms

Nirgundi is also considered to be useful in managing epileptic seizures and convulsions. 

10. Controls Diarrhoea

Dried fruit powder when taken orally with honey, it controls diarrhoea.

11. Good for Oral Health

Country toothbrushes made up of nirgundi stems help in maintaining oral health due to its anti-microbial properties. It is also useful in treating bleeding gums. Leaf decoction can also be used as gargling for curing sore throat.

12. Useful in Earache

Nirgundi leaves when boiled in oil and 2-3 drops of this oil put in ear, it relieves earache. 

13. Healing of Wounds

The leaf decoction of nirgundi is used for washing wounds and for their quick healing.

14. Anti-Fertility Property

The leaves and seeds of nirgundi have been reported to have anti-androgenic activity. 

15. Natural Laxative

Consumption of nirgundi leaves promotes regular bowel movement and is a natural laxative.

16. Cardioprotective Activity

Studies on animal models have shown that nirgundi is a potential protective and therapeutic agent against cardiovascular diseases and related pathologies such as inflammation, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. 

17. Anthelmintic Property

The powdered root of nirgundi can help in expelling parasitic worms from the body.

18. Good for the Liver

Nirgundi is reported to reduce the serum levels of liver enzymes, such as aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase and improve liver function and health.

19. Relief from Headache 

Nirgundi leaves are crushed to make a paste. This paste is applied on the forehead to alleviate headaches.

NIRGUNDI IN SACRED TRADITIONS

The nirgundi plant is believed to have originated from the abdomen of Lord Ganesha in Hindu mythology. Its leaves are offered as a symbol of devotion to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati during Somavara Vrata.

CAUTION

Some people may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as stomach upset or diarrhoea, when using nirgundi in large doses. Women with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast cancer or endometriosis, are advised to consult a registered medical practitioner before using nirgundi. It may interact with medications such as anticoagulants (blood thinners), antiplatelet drugs, and anti-diabetic drugs. 

RELATED SPECIES

Lilac chaste tree, Agnus Castus or Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)

Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)