Nirgundi is an important herb in Ayurveda. The botanical name of nirgundi is Vitex niaundo, which belongs to the family Verbenaceae. This herb is also known by various other names such as Samhalu, Meudi. This herb pacifies the kapha and vata doshas of the body. The roots, seeds and leaves part of this herb are used to prepare medicines.
Nirgundi herb has various properties such as bitter, acrid, astringent, heating, anthelmintic and cephalic. It is used to cure various diseases such as leucoderma, inflammations, spleen enlargement, eye diseases, bronchitis and various other diseases. Some Ayurvedic properties and other benefits of nirgundi herb are discussed in this article.
Ayurvedic Properties of Nirgundi
Nigundi herb has the following Ayurvedic Properties:
- Taste (Rasa) — Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta)
- Characteristics (Guna) — Light (Laghu), Rough (Ruksha)
- Potency (Veerya) – Warm (Ushna)
- After digestion effect (Vipaka ) – Pungent (Katu)
Health Benefits of Nirgundi
Various health benefits of Nirgundi herb are as follows:
- Cold — 20 ml decoction of nirgundi should be used with 250 gm of vacha and 1 gm of pippali powder.
- Cough — juice is extracted from the whole plant of nirgundi and is mixed with ghee to alleviate cough problem.
- Anti-inflammatory — This is an anti-inflammatory herb, which is used to kill pain. The herb is made into paste form and applied on the affected site to get relief from pain.
- Pneumonitis — Nirgundi herb is also used to cure pneumonitis condition.
- Arthritis — Roots of nirgundi herb are made into powder form to treat arthritis and lumbago.
- Excessive Bleeding — This herb is used for treatment of excessive bleeding during menstruation.
- Skin diseases – This herb is also used to cure various skin problems.
- Eye sight — Nirgundi herb is used to improve eye sight.
Apart from the above benefits, nirgundi herb is used to get beautiful hairs and improves memory.
