Nirgundi

Vitex negundo · 黄荆

Herbs & Roots. Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine.

Also called Five-leaved chaste tree, Sindhuvara, Lagundi, Huang jing

Pinyin: Huáng Jīng

Sanskrit: निर्गुण्डी (Nirgundi)

Few human safety studies

A shrub from India and Asia, used in Ayurveda for pain and swelling and in Chinese medicine for colds and cough.

Did you know? Its leaves usually split into five leaflets, which is where the common name five-leaved chaste tree comes from.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Joint pain & arthritis. Traditional use for joint and muscle pain. Human trials are few.
Traditional proof
Inflammation. Lab and animal studies show anti-inflammatory action. Human evidence is lacking.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Joints, Immune system

Traditional use

Ayurveda uses nirgundi for joint and muscle pain, swelling and parasites. Chinese medicine uses the fruit (huang jing zi) to release wind-cold colds and ease cough and stomach pain.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic. Energy: warming.
Ayurveda: Calms Vata and Kapha. Taste (rasa): bitter, pungent. Energy (virya): heating. After digestion (vipaka): pungent. Krimighna (anti-parasite), Vishaghna (counters toxins).
Chinese medicine: 黄荆 Release the exterior. Nature: warm. Flavour: pungent, bitter. Enters the Lung, Stomach and Liver channels.

How people take it

Leaf or fruit decoction in tradition. No tested human dose is established.

Decoction, tea and powder.

Where to get it

Grows wild across India, China and Southeast Asia, often along roads and field edges. Leaves and dried fruit are sold in herb shops. Leaf and fruit products are different, so check which part is sold.

Be careful

Few human safety studies exist. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12.

Mixing with other things

No specific mixing notes on file. That doesn't prove it's safe with everything; ask a pharmacist about your full list.

The honest take

Nirgundi is a long-used Ayurvedic and Chinese herb for pain, swelling and colds. Its human evidence is thin, and most support comes from lab and animal studies. Sources also disagree on its taste and dosha effects.