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33.
VITEX NEGUNDO
Eng.
= Indian privet; Ind. = Nirgunda
Habitat
and Description
It
is a large shrub or small tree with bluish purple flowers.
It is generally found in southern India and Burma.
It contains alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, glycosides, resins and
tannins.
Parts
used : Root, fruit, flower, leaves and bark.
Actions:
Alternative, febrifuge, analgesic, nervine, emmanagogue,
aphrodisiac, and tonic.
Therapeutic
uses
·
In
Arthritis and related disorders
It
is generally used for rheumatoid Arthritis, osteoarthritis, sciatica,
lumbago, cervical spondylitis and pain in the calf muscles. Its decoction is used as steam bath to ease the pain from
Arthritis. Leaves are used to
ease inflammatory swellings of the joints.
·
Other
uses
Inhalation
of smoke from dried leaves relieves catarrh and headache.
Powdered root is taken for piles, dysentery, dyspepsia and boils.
Flowers inpowder form are taken in case of discharge of blood from
the stomach and bowels and in fever and liver complaints.
Leaves and bark are used in case of scorpion sting.
It is highly useful in case of female problems such as amenorrhoea,
menorrhagia, premenstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhoea.
Mode
of Administration and Dosage
Externally,
paste made out of the leaves or oil is used.
Internally the juice of the
leaf can be given in the dose of 15 to 20 ml twice daily.
Roots, seeds and bark are used in powder form.
They are given in a dose of one teaspoonful twice a day on an empty
stomach. Decoction is
generally given as one ounce ( six teaspoonful) twice daily.
Precaution
If
taken in recommended doses, no side-effects are reported.
Rare side-effects include gastrointestinal upset and skin rash. It
is contraindicated during pregnancy.
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