Abstract:
Vitex negundo which belongs to Verbenaceae
family is a commonly used plant in both Ayurveda and
traditional medicine system in Sri Lanka. It is also known
as the 'Nika' in sin,hala and 'Nirgundi' in sanskrit. This
review aims to provide an overview on Pharmacological
activities and medicinal properties of Vitex negundo. The
information is collected from authentic Ayurveda texts,
scientific journals and electronic media. According to
Ayurvedic texts, leaves and roots of Vitex negundo are
mostly used. According to Ayurveda pharmacological
properties of Vitex negundo tikto, katu and kashaya in
rasa, laghu and ruksha in guna, ushna in veerya and katu
in vipoka exist. Other medicinal properties are kapha-
vatahara, shathahara, vrunashodhana, vrunaropana,
keshya, janthugna, medya, kasahara, kushtagna,
kandugno, jwaragna, balya, rasayona and chakshusya.
Therapeutically it can be used for fever, ear diseases, skin
diseases, diseases Of the genito- urinary system and
diseases of the respiratory system. Anti-inflammatory
activity, Pain suppressing activity, Anti-histamine activity,
Membrane stabi!ising activity, Antioxidant activity, Anti-
itching activity, Anti-nephrotoxic activity, Antiradical and
Anti- /ipoperoxidative effects, Anxio/ytic effect, Alpho-
amylase inhibitory activity, Larvicida,' activity, Anti-
conulsant activity, Anti-nociceptive activity. Anti-bacterial
activity and Anti- microbial activity of Vitex negundo have
been scientifically proven. The present review attempts to
encompass an up to date comprehensive literature
analysis on Vitex negundo with respect to its
pharmacological activities and medicinal properties.
