Nirgundi Herb
Vitex negundo
Nirgundi Herb (Vitex negundo) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Iridoid glycosides (agnuside, aucubin) have moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Lignans from stem bark are absorbed more slowly (Tmax 3-4 h) providing sustained activity.
| Botanical name | Vitex negundo |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Also known as | Nirgundi Herb, NirgundiHerb |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2925564 · Wikidata Q14807863 · NCBI Taxonomy 361442 |
This entry and nirgundi describe the same drug, Vitex negundo, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use; the other is treated as the primary record for citation.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Nirgundi_Herb |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (whole herb powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Taila (medicated oil), Ghrita (medicated ghee), Swarasa, External poultice
Standard Dosage: 2-4 g whole herb powder daily in divided doses; 15-30 mL decoction twice daily; 500 mg - 1 g standardized whole herb extract twice daily
Bioavailability: Whole herb (including stem, leaf, root, and flower) provides a broader phytochemical profile compared to leaf-only preparations. Iridoid glycosides (agnuside, aucubin) have moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Lignans from stem bark are absorbed more slowly (Tmax 3-4 h) providing sustained activity. Whole herb aqueous decoction has enhanced bioavailability of polar constituents compared to alcohol extract.
Optimal Timing: Oral preparations: after meals. Taila/external application: before bath or at bedtime. Ghrita: on empty stomach with warm water for systemic Vata management.
Standardized Extract: Whole herb extract (6:1) standardized to total iridoid glycosides >2% (as agnuside), total flavonoids >3% (as casticin). Ghrita preparation with validated saponification value and acid value per API norms.
Shelf Life: Dried whole herb: 12-18 months; Churna: 12-18 months; Extract: 24-36 months; Taila: 24-36 months; Ghrita: 24-36 months (can extend with proper storage)
Storage: Dried herb: well-ventilated, airtight containers, below 25 deg C, RH <55%. Ghrita: clean, dry glass or food-grade containers, below 30 deg C, protect from moisture. Taila: amber glass, room temperature.
Marker Compounds: Agnuside, Aucubin, Casticin, Vitexin, Luteolin-7-glucoside, Lignan glycosides, Beta-sitosterol, p-Hydroxybenzoic acid
Extraction Methods
- Sequential aqueous-alcoholic extraction for comprehensive phytochemical capture
- Traditional decoction (1:16 w/v, reduced to 1/4 volume)
- Hydroalcoholic percolation (50% ethanol)
- Oil infusion of whole herb in sesame/coconut oil base
- Ghee-based extraction (Ghrita Paka method)
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews6
- 2024. Vitex Genus as a Source of Antimicrobial AgentsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38337934 · doi:10.3390/plants13030401
- 2023. Cardioprotective Effects of Vitex negundo: A Review of Bioactive Extracts and CompoundsJournal of evidence-based integrative medicine. PMID 37279951 · doi:10.1177/2515690X231176622
- 2022. Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of genus Vitex (Lamiaceae)Phytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 35172042 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7330
- 2020. Recent advances in natural therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancerJournal of chemotherapy (Florence, Italy). PMID 31928332 · doi:10.1080/1120009X.2019.1707417
- 2018. Vitex negundo and its medicinal valueMolecular biology reports. PMID 30311123 · doi:10.1007/s11033-018-4421-3
- 2015. Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Vitex negundoPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 25641408 · doi:10.1002/ptr.5303
Laboratory and animal studies6
- 2025. Antiviral Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts Vitex negundo and Macaranga tanarius Against SARS-CoV-2Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 40872330 · doi:10.3390/pathogens14080820
- 2024. Triterpenoids and triterpenoid saponins from Vitex negundo and their anti-inflammatory activitiesPhytochemistry. PMID 38554895 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114068
- 2020. Vitex negundo Linn.: phytochemical composition, nutritional analysis, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activityCellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France). PMID 32583767
- 2018. Bioactive chromone constituents from Vitex negundo alleviate pain and inflammationJournal of pain research. PMID 29343985 · doi:10.2147/JPR.S145551
- 2013. PASS-predicted Vitex negundo activity: antioxidant and antiproliferative properties on human hepatoma cells--an in vitro studyBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 24305067 · doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-343
- 2010. Tris(2,4-di-tert-butyl-phen-yl) phosphateActa crystallographica. Section E, Structure reports online. PMID 21588579 · doi:10.1107/S1600536810029673
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