Nirgundi Leaves 🌿
(Ayurvedic Pain-Relief & Vata-Shamak Herb)
Botanical name: Vitex negundo
Common names: Nirgundi (Hindi), Sambhalu, Five-leaved chaste tree
Family: Lamiaceae
🌱 About Nirgundi
Nirgundi is one of the most powerful Ayurvedic herbs for pain, swelling, and nerve issues, especially related to Vata disorders.
✅ Health Benefits of Nirgundi Leaves
🦴 1️⃣ Joint Pain & Arthritis (Top Benefit)
- Reduces inflammation & swelling
- Excellent for:
- Knee pain
- Back pain
- Cervical & sciatica pain
👉 Works best in oil, paste, or steam therapy
🔥 2️⃣ Anti-Inflammatory & Analgesic
- Acts like a natural painkiller
- Helpful in:
- Sprains
- Muscle strain
- चोट (injury)
🧠 3️⃣ Nerve Pain & Vata Disorders
- Relieves nerve compression pain
- Used in:
- Frozen shoulder
- Slip disc (supportive use)
🌬️ 4️⃣ Respiratory Relief
- Helps in cough, cold, asthma
- Reduces chest congestion
🦠 5️⃣ Antibacterial & Antifungal
- Useful in skin infections, itching, wounds
🍃 How to Use Nirgundi Leaves
🧴 1️⃣ Nirgundi Leaf Oil (Most Effective)
Method:
- Heat mustard or sesame oil
- Add crushed nirgundi leaves
- Cook till leaves turn crisp
- Cool & strain
👉 Massage warm oil on painful area 1–2× daily
🌿 2️⃣ Leaf Paste (External)
- Crush fresh leaves
- Warm slightly
- Apply on swollen joints
- Cover with cloth for 30–60 min
🌫️ 3️⃣ Nirgundi Steam (Swedana)
- Boil leaves in water
- Take steam for joint stiffness
🍵 4️⃣ Leaf Decoction (Internal – Limited Use)
Dose:
- 5–7 leaves boiled in 1 cup water
- Reduce to half, drink once daily
⚠️ Use internally only for short periods
⚠️ Precautions & Contraindications
- ❌ Avoid during pregnancy
- ❌ Not for long-term internal use
- ⚠️ Excess may cause acidity
- ⚠️ Use carefully if Pitta is high
🧘♂️ Ayurvedic Properties
- Rasa: Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)
- Virya: Ushna (hot)
- Effect: Pacifies Vata & Kapha, may increase Pitta
🌿 Best For
✔ Joint pain
✔ Arthritis
✔ Muscle strain
✔ Sciatica
✔ Swelling & inflammation