Scientific name: Vitex negundo L.
Family: Verbenaceae
Synonym: Vitex arborea Desf.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Nishinda, Baranishinda.
Tribal name: Niramisludi (Chakma), Soyin ma pata (Tanchangya), Thoai bai gach (Marma).
English name: Indian privet, Chinese chaster tree, Five-leaved chaster tree.
Description of the plant: A large shrub to small tree, 8-10 m tall. Leaves digitately 3-5 foliolate, leaflets 4-12 cm long, lanceolate, acute to acuminate at the apex, base cuneate. Flowers are numerous, blue to lavender, 6-7 mm long, borne in terminal inflorescences (panicles) 10-20 cm long. Fruit is a succulent drupe, globose, black when ripe, about 4 mm in diameter.
Plant parts used: Leaf, flower, root.
Ethnomedicinal uses: Pounded leaves are applied on the forehead to treat headache.
An extract is made with the leaves is used for hot bath once a day for two days to treat fever.
Infusion of seeds used for disinfecting wounds and ulcers.
Fresh juice extracted from the leaves of the plant is applied on the whole body once a day for three days to treat mania infantum.
Powder prepared from the roots of the plant is taken to treat dysentery.
The roots of the plant used for dyspepsia, colic, rheumatism, worm infestation, boils, and leprosy.
Decoction made from the leaves is administered for the treatment of cough, asthma, toothache, and ringworm.
Flowers are used for diarrhoea, cholera, fever, and diseases of the liver.
Fresh juice extracted from the leaves is taken twice a day (two tea spoons amount each time) for two weeks to treat black fever.
Distribution: The species occurs throughout the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
