Macroscopic identification
A large aromatic shrub or a small tree, up to 4.5 meter
in height. Leaves are palmately compound, mostly
trifoliate occasionally penta-foliate.
Parts used
Leaf, root, seed (renuka), flowers and bark
Pharmacological action: leaves are externally
anti-parasitic; internally alterative, aromatic bitter,
and vermifuge anodyne. Root is tonic, febrifuge,
alterative, expectorant and diuretic. Fruit is nervine,
cephalic and emmanogogue. Dried fruit acts as a
vermifuge. Flowers are cool and astringent.
Action and uses in Ayurveda
Sula, sopha, vatvyadhi, aamvata, kustha, kandu, kasa,
pradra, adhmana, pliha roga, gulma, aruchi, krimi, vrana,
karnsula, sutika jwara
Indications
Catarrh, Cholera, Colic, Diarrhea, Dysmenorrhea,
Dyspepsia, Ear disorders, Endometriosis, Fever,
Fibrocystic Breast Disease, Headache, Heart Disease,
Hemicrania, Hemorrhoids, Infertility (Female), Liver
disorders, Malaria, Menopause, Menorrhagia (Heavy
Menstruation), Menstrual Difficulties (primary and
Secondary Ammenorhea), Nausea, Premenstrual Syndrome,
Rheumatism, Skin diseases, Ulcers, Worms
Photochemical
Leaves contain a colorless essential oil of odor of the
drug and resin. Fruit contains an acid resin, an
astringent, organic acid, malic acid, traces of an
alkaloid and a coloring matter. It is thought to contain
a progesterone-like compound The chemical constituents
are the monoterpenes agnuside, eurostoside, and aucubin.
Chasteberry also contains the flavonoids casticin,
chryso-splenol and vitexin.
Properties and action
Rasa: tikta, katu, kasaya
Guna: laghu
Virya: usna
Vipaka: katu
Karma: kaphsamaka, vatsamaka, sophara, kesa,
chaksusya, visaghna, smritiprada, anulomna
Preparations
Powder, oil, extract, tincture, decoction, and
poultice
Therapeutic classification index
-
Digestive system: fruit
is used in diarrhea, intestinal worms and colitis
-
Respiratory system:
leaves when smoked relieve catarrh and headache.
-
Skin: juice from the
leaves relieves fetid discharge and worms from
ulcers.
-
Nutrition and
metabolism:
-
Genito-urinary system
Leaves are very efficacious in dispelling
inflammatory swellings of the testes from suppressed
gonorrhea or gonorrheal Epididymitis and orchitis.
Employing an aqueous extract from the fruit, a 1979
study reported good results on premenstrual water
retention. Women were able to sustain a good level
of milk production for breast-feeding while taking
this herb. While it took some time for the drug to
take effect, the women were able to continue the use
of the drug for months without harmful side effects.
Thus, Vitex's benefits stem from its actions upon
the pituitary gland?specifically on the production
of luteinizing hormone. This increases progesterone
production and helps regulate a woman?s cycle. Vitex
also keeps prolactin secretion in check. The ability
to decrease excessive prolactin levels may benefit
infertile women
-
Musculoskeletal
system
Leaves are very efficacious in dispelling
inflammatory swellings of the joints from acute
rheumatism, sprains and contusions
Dose: powder (root) ?3-6 gm; powder (seed)
?3-6 gm
Fresh juice10-20 ml
Capsule Nirgundi contains pure and concentrated
Nirgundi
Dosage: one capsule twice a day
Package size: 60 capsules.
References
- Dr.KM Nadkarni, The Indian Materia Medica, Vol.I,
pg 1278
- Prof P.V Sharma, Dravya Guna Vigyana, Vol II, pg
66
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India, Part I,
Vol.III, pg 142
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