Nirgudi / निर्गुडी / Chinese Chaste Tree / Vitex negundo L.

  • Local Name: Nirgudi / निर्गुडी
  • Common Name: Chinese Chaste Tree
  • Botanical Name: Vitex negundo L.

Status & Habitat

  • Status: Least Concern

  • Habitat: Shrub

  • Occurrence: Near bodies of water, recently disturbed land, grasslands, and mixed open forests

  • Season of Availability: Warmer parts of the year.

  • Geography: Eastern and Southern Africa and Asia

  • Method of Propagation: Vegetative propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Stem cuttings

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves

  • Can be Eaten Raw: No

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: No

  • Ripe: N/A

  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw plant

  • As Food: Seed is a pepper substitute, and may also be eaten.

  • As Medicine: Paste of matured leaves is applied to areas of swelling; seed/fruit powder used to cure nasal passage disorders; leaf oil applied to joints to reduce joint pain. Leaf extract is used for earache

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: N/A

  • Boiling Before Cooking: N/A

  • Pickling: N/A

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Seeds may be used as a pepper alternative; paste of leaves and bark can be used; leaf and bark decoction may be taken; leaf and bark may be powdered.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Good source of calcium and phosphorus.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Ear ailments, Pain reliever, Rheumatoid athritis, Abdominal ailments, Fever, Cough

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Paste of matured leaves is applied to areas of swelling; seed/fruit powder used to cure nasal passage disorders; leaf oil applied to joints to reduce joint pain.