Vitex agnus-castus - Chaste tree

Nirgundi, Vitex agnus-castus

Nirgundi, also called Vitex agnus-castus, vitex, chaste tree, chasteberry, Abraham's balm, lilac chastetree, or monk's pepper, is a native of the Mediterranean region. It is one of the few temperate-zone species of Vitex, which is on the whole a genus of tropical and sub-tropical flowering plants.

Indrani or Vitex negundo, commonly known as the Chinese chastetree, five-leaved chaste tree, or horseshoe vitex, is a large aromatic shrub with quadrangular, densely whitish, tomentose branchlets. It is widely used in folk medicine, particularly in South and Southeast Asia.

Description

Vitex negundo is an erect shrub or small tree growing from 2 to 8 m (6.6 to 26.2 ft) in height. The bark is reddish-brown. Its leaves are digitate, with five lanceolate leaflets, sometimes three. Each leaflet is around 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) in length, with the central leaflet being the largest and possessing a stalk. The leaf edges are toothed or serrated and the bottom surface is covered in hair. The numerous flowers are borne in panicles 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) in length. Each is around 6 to 7 cm (2.4 to 2.8 in) long and are white to blue in color. The petals are of different lengths, with the middle lower lobe being the longest. Both the corolla and calyx are covered in dense hairs. The fruit is a succulent drupe, 4 mm (0.16 in) in diameter, rounded to egg-shaped. It is black or purple when ripe.

Uses

• In alternative medicine, 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.
• It is believed that some of the compounds found in the plant work on the pituitary gland which would explain its effects on hormonal levels.
• Used in supplements for male bodybuilders as a secondary component because of its effects on testosterone levels.
• Five-Leaved Chaste Tree relieves muscle aches and joint pains.

Common name

• English - Five-leaved chaste tree
• Kannada - ಬಿಲೆ ನೆಕ್ಕಿ
• Hindi - निर्गुंडी

External Links

• "Vitex agnus-castus"
• "Five-Leaved Chaste Tree-Himalaya herb finder"
• Vitex negundo-Wikipedia