Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Casticin, Artemetin, Viridiflorol, Agnuside, Nishindine
- Also Known As
- English: Five-Leaved Chaste Tree, Indian Privet
Sanskrit: निर्गुण्डी, सिन्दुवार, श्वेतसुरसा, इन्द्राणी, नीलपुष्पा
Hindi: सम्भालू, मेउड़ी, निर्गुण्डी, सिनगुआर
What is Five Leafed Chaste Tree?
Hair, eyes, colic, swelling, worms, nausea, ulcers, ear disorders, malaria, hemorrhoids, spleen,uterus, removes obstructions, hemicrania. External: leaves inflammatory joint swellings in acute rheumatism and of the testes from suppressed gon-orrhea or gonorrheal epididymitis and orchitits;sprained limbs, contusions, bites (used as heated The Ayurveda Encyclopedia 98leaves or as a poultice). Pillows stuffed with leaves are slept on to remove catarrh and headache (theyare also smoked for relief). Crushed leaves or poultice is applied to temples for headaches. As a plaster on the spleen, it removes swelling; as a juicedischarges worms from ulcers. A juice oil is ap-plied to sinuses and neck gland sores (scrofula),or for washing the head for glandular tubercular neck swellings. Oil is also good for syphilis, vene-real diseases, and other syphilitic skin disorders.A leaf decoction with pippali is used for catarrhal fever with heaviness of head and dull hearing. Awarm bath in a leaf decoction removes pains afterchildbirth. For rheumatism it is taken as a juice, with the juice of tulsi and bh^i garaj (eclipta alba), mixed with crushed ajwan seeds; or these persons can bathe in a nirguo i leaf decoction. A tincture of root-bark is good for irritable bladder and also rheumatism. Powdered root good for hemor-rhoids and as a demulcent for dysentery. Root dyspepsia, colic, rheumatism, worms, boils, skindisorders. Flowers diarrhea, cholera, fever, liverdisorders, cardiac tonic; seeds cold for skin dis-orders; flowers and stalk powder for blood dis-charge from stomach and bowels.
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Vatahara (alleviates Vata)
- Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)
- Vedanasthapana (analgesic)
- Krimighna (anthelmintic)
- Keshya (promotes hair growth)
- Jvarghna (antipyretic)
- Chakshushya (beneficial for eyes)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
Ayurvedic Properties (Energetics)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | nerve, reproductive |
| Dosha Effect | P- V+ K+ |
| Body Systems | Circulatory, female reproductive, nervous |
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Preparation & Usage
Forms: Fruit powder sugar/water or honey paste, decoction; powder, tincture, decoction, poul-tice
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
How to Use Nirgundi by Condition
Explore how Nirgundi is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
[133] The expressed juice of the root and leaves of nirgundi should be cooked with an equal quantity of oil.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 28: Vata Disorders Treatment (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa / वातव्याधिचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 28: Vata Disorders Treatment (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa / वातव्याधिचिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
For wound maggots/parasites (Vrana Krimi): a paste of Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), Arishta (neem), and Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) destroys wound parasites.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Neem and Karanja are both insecticidal, Nirgundi is antiparasitic, and garlic's allicin is a potent antimicrobial.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
A paste of Dhattura (Datura metel), Eranda (castor, Ricinus communis), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Varshabhu (Boerhavia diffusa), Shigru (Moringa oleifera), and Sarshapa (mustard) -- this paste destroys Shlipada (elephantiasis/lymphedema) even when chronic and severe.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
This potent paste combines the anti-edema Punarnava/Boerhavia, the filaricidal Nirgundi, and the deeply penetrating Moringa and castor to reduce the massive lymphatic swelling.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
References in Sushruta Samhita
Also ajaka, sphotaka, kapittha (wood apple), bilva (bael), nirgundi (vitex), and jasmine flowers.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)
The Surasadi Gana consists of: surasa (basil), shveta-surasa, phanijjhaka, arjaka, bhustrina (lemongrass), sugandhaka, sumukha, kalamala, kutheraka, kasamarda, chavaka, kharapushpa, vidanga, katphala, surasini, nirgundi, kulahala, ondura-karnika, phanji, prachiva, laka, kakamachi, and vishamushtika (verse 18).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
The Surasadi Gana consists of: surasa (basil), shveta-surasa, phanijjhaka, arjaka, bhustrina (lemongrass), sugandhaka, sumukha, kalamala, kutheraka, kasamarda, chavaka, kharapushpa, vidanga, katphala, surasini, nirgundi, kulahala, ondura-karnika, phanji, prachiva, laka, kakamachi, and vishamushtika (verse 18).
— Sushruta Samhita, Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis); Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.