Nirgundi: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More!

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 in height, common throughout the country to an altitude of 1500 m in the outer Himalayas¹. It is commonly known as Five-leaved chaste trees, which is a large family of herbs, shrubs, and trees, comprising about 75 genera and nearly 2500 species².

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 cough². The leaves of V.negundo have been reported to possess pesticidal and antifungal properties².

The Sanskrit word for Vitex negundo, a plant commonly known as nirgundi, carries a meaningful translation. ‘Nirgundi’ literally translates to ‘that which protects the body from diseases.’ This herb holds significance in Ayurvedic medicine, as it is mentioned in all of the Ayurvedic Samhitas, which are ancient texts that form the foundation of Ayurveda⁵.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S M.D (Ayu)

Chemical Constituents of Nirgundi Plant

Nirgundi contains at least 0.25 percent of negundoside and 1.0 percent of agnuside when assayed¹. The following table contains the chemical components present in the Nirgundi plant: 

• Leaves-  Vitamin-C, artemetin, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, sabenine, globulol, spathulenol, β-farnesene, farnesol, carotene, casticin, 5-hydroxy-6,7,8, 4′-tetramethoxy (gardenin B), linalool, stearic acid, 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,3′, 4′-pentamethoxy flavone, 5-hydroxy-3,7,3′, 4′-tetramethoxy flavones, betulinic acid, ursolic acid. 
• Seeds- β-sitosterol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 5-oxyisophthalic acid, artemetin, vitedoin A, vitedoamine A, vitedoin B, 2β,3α-diacetoxyoleana-5, 12-dien-28-oic acid, 3β-acetoxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid, n-tritriacontane, n-hentriacontane, n-pentatriacontane, ß- sitosterol 
• Stem and bark- 3,6,7,3′,4′-Pentamethoxy-5-Oglucopyranosylrhamnoside, vitexin cafeate, 4′-O-methyl myricetin- 3-O-[4′-O-β-D-galactosyl]-β-Dgalactopyranoside, Î²-amyrin, epifriedelinol, oleanolic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, β-sitosterol. 
• Roots- Vitexin and isovitexi, vitexoside, negundin A, negundin B, 6-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-2-naphthaledehyde, 2β,3α-diacetoxyoleana-5,12-dien-28-oic acid. 

Potential Uses of Nirgundi

The leaves of nirgundi have antibacterial, laxative, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, hypoglycaemic, and anti-inflammatory properties². 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 colic². 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 actions².

Benefits of Nirgundi

1. Benefits of Nirgundi for Infections

•  Nirgundi essential oil showed  antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa².
• The phytoconstituents d-guaiene, germacrene D, and hexadecenoic acid found in nirgundi are responsible for this anti-bacterial activity².  
• The leavd extracts possesses a new flavone glycoside, which has antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes^2,3.

2. Benefits of Nirgundi for Pain

• The anti-inflammatory and pain suppressing activities of fresh leaves of nirgundi are attributed to prostaglandin synthesis inhibition².
• 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 analgesics³.

3. Benefits of Nirgundi for Liver

• The extracts of V. negundo seeds decreased the serum levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase³.
• The alcoholic seed extract also showed protective action on the liver against Carbon-tetrachloride(CCL4)-induced liver toxicity³.

4. 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 used³. 

5. Benefits of Nirgundi for Lungs

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

6. Benefits of Nirgundi for Diabetes

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

7. Benefits of Nirgundi for Wounds

Washing the wounds with nirgundi leaves extract can aid in cleaning infected ulcers³.

8. 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 leprosy⁴.

9. 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.

Nirgundi, a versatile plant, has an amazing mosquito-repellent quality! During the rainy season, the leaves of nirgundi are burned in a fire, that may create a smoky shield that keeps mosquitoes and insects away from both animals and humans⁵.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Also Read: Nutmeg (Jaiphal): Uses, Benefits, Precautions & More!

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 vapors can be inhaled. Nirgundi leaves can be ground to a paste and applied to the forehead to relieve headaches³.

• Flowers: Flower extracts of Nirgundi may be used in the management of fever, diarrhoea, and liver complaints³.

• 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 milk⁴. The seeds can be made into a paste and used with salt and pepper for applying on fractures³. 

• Roots: Root powder, the tincture can be used for managing dysentery. The powdered root is used for anthelmintic properties. Root extract can be dissolved in tender coconut water for a week to suppress kidney problems³.

• Fruit: The dried fruit powder can be taken orally with roasted common salt and warm water for dealing with menstrual disorders, urinary disorders, and indigestion³.

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

Dry nirgundi leaves have a traditional use of being placed with stored woollen garments. This is because the leaves have properties that repel insects and worms, which may help protect the woollen items from damage⁵.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Also Read: Suhaga: Uses, Benefits, Precautions & More!

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: Kaunch Beej – Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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. Available from: https://www.ayurveda.hu/api/API-Vol-1.pdf

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. Available from: https://www.jgtps.com/admin/uploads/ksM8L5.pdf

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  
5. Ahuja SC, Ahuja S, Ahuja U. Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) – Nature’s Gift to Mankind. Asian Agri-History. 2015 Jan-Mar;19(1):5-32. Available from: https://www.asianagrihistory.org/pdf/volume19/nirgundi-natures-gift-to-mankind.pdf

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