Uses of Vitex negundo Linn (Nirgundi) in Ayurveda and its Pharmacological Evidences

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, Hepatoprotective, 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.