निर्गुण्डी

• Botanical Name: Vitex negundo
• Family: Verbenaceae
• Synonyms: Sindhuvara, Sambhalu, Nallavalli, Nishinda
• Vernacular Name: Commonly known as “Nirgundi” in Hindi, “Five-Leaved Chaste Tree” in English, and “Nallanochi” in Tamil.
• Classification: A deciduous shrub or small tree belonging to the Verbenaceae family.
• Habitat: Native to South and Southeast Asia, it thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. It is commonly found in riverbanks, wastelands, and along roadsides.
• Morphology: A shrub that grows up to 2–8 meters in height. It has quadrangular stems, compound leaves with five lanceolate leaflets, and small, bluish-purple flowers arranged in panicles. The fruits are small, round, and black when ripe.
• Useful Parts: Leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds.
• Chemical Composition: Contains flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and essential oils. It is rich in bioactive compounds like nishindine and vitricine.
• Pharmacological Action: Known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It is used in treating joint pain, respiratory disorders, skin ailments, and menstrual issues. It also has calming effects and is used for stress relief.
• Formulation: Used in Ayurvedic preparations like Nirgundi Taila (oil) and herbal decoctions for pain relief and respiratory health. It is also applied externally as a poultice for wounds and swelling.

 Rasa: Katu

Guna: Ruksha , Laghu

Virya: Ushna

Vipaka: Katu