Family Name: Lamiaceae
Botanical Name(s): Vitex Negundo, Vitex Agnus Castus
Popular Name(s): Five Leafed Chaste Tree, Chasteberry, Nirgundi,
Sambhalu, Vitex, Agnus-Castus, Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper, Cloister
Pepper, Indrani, Nirgandhi, Nochi
Parts Used: Roots, root, flowers, leaves, bark
Habitat: This plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean countries
and Central Asia.
Description: A deciduous shrub, having an airy and spreading
habit, grows up to 10 feet. It has five-fingered leaves, which begin to
bud as late as June, and eight-inch lilac flower spikes.
Uses: The extract of all the Vitex fruit constituents affects
the activity of the pituitary gland. It helps increase progesterone
production, which can be beneficial for women's health in many cases, as
it gives the opportunity to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce the
symptoms of menopause and PMS (irritability, breast tenderness, mood
switches, menstrual cramps), and even fight women infertility, caused by
hormone imbalance.
