Nirgundi is a herb, having quite similar look as Basil. It is an Ayurvedic herb with numerous health benefits in it. Many of us are still unaware of it. Let us see the health benefits of Nirgundi.
In Ayurveda, Nirgundi/Five-leaved chaste is an extraordinary and miraculous herb. The power and efficacy of the herb is also described in the books of Charaka Samhita.
The appearance of Five leaved chaste:
It is 6-12 ft tall, multibranch bushy plant covered with very fine hairs. The bark of stem is thin and the leaf stalk is long and 3-5 leaves grow at its tip. The edges of the leaves are plain or serrated. It bears small flowers, in 2-3 inch long inflorescence and is blue or white in color with a purple tint.
The fruits are small, round and of mixed color; white and black. The bark of the root is green outside and yellow inside.
Where are the Nirgundi plants found?
Wild plants of Nirgundi are found almost everywhere. When its leaves are crushed, they emit a typically foul smell. Based on flower types, there are two varieties of this plant- blue and white-flowered.
Blue flowered plant is called Nirgudi and white-flowered plant is called Siduwar.
Properties of Five leaved chaste plant:
- Supresses kapha, vata, alleviates vata and relieves pain.
- Its very famous medicinal herb for vata related problems.
- Enhances intellect.
- It is anthelmintic and kills worms and micro organisms.
- Promotes digestion, stimulates liver and cures bronchial asthma.
- It is antipyretic and especially cures high fever.
- Promotes physical strength and cures eyes and nose related problems.
Nomenclature:
English name- Five leaved chaste
Hindi name- Samhalu, Meudi
Sanskrit name- Sinduvar, Nirguni, Sinduk
Marathi name- Nigad, Nirgundi
Telugu name- Tellavavili
Kingdom- Plantae
Family name- Verbenaceae
Botanical name- Vitex nigundo
Now, let us talk about the health benefits of Nirgundi herb. It is really magical and rich in health promoting benefits.
Health benefits of Nirgundi herb:
11. Treats Mental disorders
- Give 2-4 gm powder of its fruits, 2-3 times a day.
- It cures disorders of nasal passages and mind.
22. Helpful in Throat-ache
- Use the decoction of Nirgundi for gargles.
- It cures all the throat and mouth related disorders.
- In case of sourness and swelling of throat, mix its oil in slightly warm water and add some salt to it.
- Use this water for gargle.
- It cures the throat problems.
33. Ear problems
- In case of pus in ear, put 1-2 drops of nirgundi medicated oil, mixed with honey in ears.
- It treats very soon and effectively.
44. Cures Chronic rhinitis
- Boil its 10 gm leaves in 100 ml water and give it to the patient, every morning and evening.
- It cures fever and chronic rhinitis effectively.
55. Treats Liver disorders
- In liver enlargement, give 2 gm powder of Nirgund with 1 gm black myrobalan and 10 mg cow’s urine.
- Or, give 2 gm Nirgundi powder with 500 mg black kutki and 500 mg rasot, twice a day.
66. Nirgundi leaves Cures Headache
- Grind its leaves and prepare cake of the paste and tie it on earlobes.
- It cures a headache.
77. Enhance digestion power
- Give 10 ml juice of its leaves with 2 black peppers and Ajwowan, twice a day.
- It enhances the digestion power and relieves stomach pain.
- It is also good for swelling in the stomach caused by indigestion or accumulation of wind and stomach pain.
88. For Eased delivery
- Grind its leaves and apply the paste on stomach, abdomen and vaginal area.
- It results in easy delivery.
99. Regains Good health
- Give 10-20 gm of ghee medicated by the juice of its root, fruits, and leaves regularly.
- It helps to regain good health and also increases appetite.
1010. Increases Sexual vigor
- Grind 40 gm each of root of Nirgundi and dry ginger powder.
- Prepare 8 doses of it.
- Give 1 dose daily with milk.
- It improves the sexual potency of the person.
1111. For Long life/Enhanced immunity
- Cook 1 liter of Nirgundi juice in low heat, till it becomes thick like jaggery syrup.
- Store it in airtight container and give this regularly 2 teaspoon, for 3 months.
- Within 3 months of usage, the patient regains youthfulness and long life.
- It also cleanses asthma, tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases.
1212. Nirgundi Aids in Slipped discs
- Give 5 gm powder of its bark or give 20 gm decoction of its leaves.
- You can prepare the decoction by cooking the leaves, on low flame thrice a day.
1313. Treatment for Fever
- In case of fever due to severe cold and pneumonia, massage its oil.
- You can make the oil more effective by mixing ajowan and 1-2 garlic buds in it.
- Warm the oil slightly and use.
1414. Helpful in General weakness
- Massage of its oil is very beneficial in general weakness and problem of legs.
1515. Helpful in Filariasis
- Grind thorn apple, castor oil plant’s root, spreading hogweed, bark of drumstick plant and mustard.
- Form a paste of it and apply on the affected area.
- It cures even the chronic elephantiasis and filariasis.
1616. Use of Nirgundi in Goitre
- Grind its leaves to form juice.
- Give 10-20 gm of this juice every morning and evening.
- Also, give warmth to its leaves.
- It is beneficial in curing goiter.
1717. Nirgundi leaves Relieves Tumour
- Heat its leaves and tie on the tumor.
- It dissolves the tumor.
1818. Treats Wounds
- Apply the medicated oil of its root and leaves.
- It cures ulcers, scabies, itching and all kinds of wounds.
1919. Nirgundi For Flaky dry skin
- During winters, our skin gets flaky and dry. In this one can use the oil.
- On a daily basis, apply this oil to the overall body and face.
- It makes your skin soft and youthful.
2020. Aids in Tetanus
- Give 3-5 gm of its juice with honey, thrice a day.
- It cures tetanus effectively.
So here we saw the 20 health benefits of Five-leaved chaste or Nirgundi plant. If you are also suffering from any of the disease listed above, then must give nirgundi a try.
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7 Comments
This is very good article to knowing education in a simple way. Thank you.
Seshadri
I was searching for the herb Nigundi having referred in Rudrayamala for success of yoga.
I am satisfied for the details about it. Thank you.
Good suggestions
I have read that the nirgundi powder will eradicate some neuro related problem but it’s not in the 20point benefit. Facing neurological problems from four years and cannot walk property. After walking 10 minutes I feel restless. I am unable to carry the half load of my body. On the left leg . almost 40doctors given the same medicine. With different names. Now I am taking my own medicine looking at ayurvedic advises, massages and powder. Please help me someone. Thanks, Subhash Panda, hyderabad.
Sir I want a tree of nigundi
“Grind thorn apple, castor oil plant’s root, spreading hogweed, bark of drumstick plant and mustard.
Form a paste of it and apply on the affected area.
It cures even the chronic elephantiasis and filariasis.”
I want to make a paste like this and I wonder if you could give me some more details about how to do it. Of course you meant to say to include nirgundi in this paste, though you did not say to grind nirgundi with the other 5 herbs. So, there will be a total of 6 herbs in the paste. What proportions of each? How to make the paste thick and sticky? I am guessing that nirgundi is the pivotal herb that does the primary job of dissolving the thickened lymph and clears the lymph passages — is this correct?
Nice information.