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ABSTRACT:
Traditional medicines were originally used with vast knowledge about the pharmacological activity of numerous plants. Vitex nigundo (Nirgundi) is one of the very useful plant in Indian System of medicine. It is a large aromatic shrub distributed throughout India. This species is globally distributed in Indo-Malaysia, cultivated in America, Europe, Asia and West Indies. The plant has also been extensively used in traditional medicine. It has been used for the different diseases like cephalgia, otalgia, arthritis, colic, rheumatism, skin diseases, urinary disorders, wounds, ulcers, Bronchitis, malaria fever, epilepsy, haemorrhoids, dysmenorrhoea as one of the effective medicine. In modern medicine it has also reported to posses potent pharmacological properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antibiotic, Etepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, oxidative stress, anti-androgen, snake venom neutralization and anti-allergic activities. This review gives a bird's eye view mainly on the pharmacognistic characteristics, Traditional uses, and pharmacological actions of Vitex negundo Linn.
KEYWORDS: Vitex negundo Linn., Anti-inflammatory, Ayurveda , Pharmacological evidence.
INTRODUCTION:
Ayurveda is the science of living. It deals with the prevention of diseases, promotion of health, longevity and cures the diseases. The recorded use of natural products for Ayurvedic medicinal purposes date back at least 3000 year back. . It is interesting to note that a single plant species finds use for treatment of a wide spectrum of health disorders in traditional and folk medicine; some of which have been experimentally validated. Vitex nigundo (Nirgundi) is one of very useful plant in Indian System of medicine. The plant holds great promise as a commonly available medicinal plant and it is indeed no surprise that the plant is referred to in the Indian traditional circles as 'samaroganivarini '. In Ayurveda it has been used for the different diseases with pharmacological evidence since a long time.
Vernacular names:1
Eng.- Five leaved chest tree.
Etindi-Samhalu, Sambhalu, Nirganda, Nisinda, Shivari, Sandura, Sinura.
Beng.-Nishinda, Samalu, Nirgundi.
Guj.- Nagoda, Nagada.
Kan. - Niragundi, Lakkagida, Nekka, Nakilu.
Mal.- Karunocci
Mar. - Nirgundi, Nisind, Nigundi, Nigada, Lingada,
Punj.-Banna, Marwan, Shiwari, Maura,Torbanna
Tam.-Nirkundi, Nallanocci
Tel. - Nallavavilli, Vavilli,T ellavavilli.
Assam-Pasutia, Aggla-chitta.
Odia- Beyguna, begundia, Nirgundi, Indrani
Urdu-Poast-e-sambhalu
Geographical Distribution:
Vitex usually grows from three to nine feet tall, but under cultivation can develop to 20 feet tall. Nirgundi occur in tropical to temperate regions (up to...