Nirgundi Plant with bluish-purple flowersIn vitro flowering in Vitex negundoInflorescence of Vitex negundo in Panchkhal valley in Nepal
Vitex negundo, commonly known as the Chinese chaste tree,[2]five-leaved chaste tree, or horseshoe vitex, or nisinda is a large aromaticshrub with quadrangular, densely whitish, tomentose branchlets. It is widely used in folk medicine, particularly in South and Southeast Asia.
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 lanceolateleaflets, 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.[3]
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.[3]
The fruit is a succulent drupe, 4 mm (0.16 in) in diameter, rounded to egg-shaped. It is black or purple when ripe.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Vitex negundo is native to tropical Eastern and Southern Africa and Asia. It is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere.[1]
Purified extracts are believed to have medicinal properties.[6]
Vitex negundo is used for treating stored garlic against pests. It is also listed as one of the ten herbal medicine approved by the Department of Health as a cough remedy in the Philippines, and sold under the trade names Ascof and Plemex.[7][8] In Malaysia, it is used in traditional herbal medicine for women's health, including treatments for regulating the menstrual cycle, fibrocystic breast disease and post-partum remedies.[9]
