Nochi, also called Nirgundi or Five-Leaved Chaste Tree (Vitex negundo) is an evergreen medicinal deciduous shrub.
The Nochi leaves are used as biopesticide and insecticide. The Nochi leaves are dried and kept with woolen clothes to repel insects. The smoke from the Nochi leaves is used as a mosquito repellent.
Various parts of the tree such as leaves, leaf oil, roots, fruits, and seeds are used in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, and Allopathy for therapeutic purpose. It is used in the treatment of diseases that occur due to vitiation of Vata and Kapha, headache, skin affections, wounds, swelling, asthmatic pains, male and female sexual and reproductive problems.
Common Names
Scientific Name: Vitex Negundo
Sanskrit: Nirgundi, Sindhuvara, Indrasursa, Indranika, Sinduka.
Assamese: Pasutia, Aggla-Chita, Pochatia, Aslok
Bengali: Nisinda, Samalu, Nirgundi, Sinduari, Beguna, Nishinda, Nishinde
English: Five-Leaved Chaste Tree, Chinese Chaste Tree, Indian Privet
Gujarati: Nagoda, Nagaol, Nirgari
Hindi: Samhalu, Saubhalu, Nirgandi
Kannada: Bile-Nekki
Malayalam: Indrani
Siddha: Noohi
Tamil: Nirkunnchi, Nallanochi
Telugu: Nallavalli, Vavilli, Tellavavilli
Urdu: Sambhalu, Panjangusht
Health Benefits of Nochi or Nirgundi
1. Remedies of Asthma Symptoms
Applying nirgundi oil, a strong antihistamine on the nose, neck and chest diminishes congestion in those suffering from asthma. It is also effective in healing several respiratory illnesses like bronchitis, allergies and breathing difficulties.
2. Treats Menstrual Cramps
The fruits of Vitex negundo abound in terpenoids, which contribute towards rectifying hormonal imbalance in the female system. This, in turn, assists in easing conditions of discomfort such as menstrual cramps and uterine fibroids, besides treating infertility.
3. Relieves Anxiety
Nochi Leaf (Nochi Ilai) Nirgundi is laden with valuable flavonoids and fatty acids, which promote intelligence and improve memory capacity of the brain. In addition, they also uplift moods and regulate sleep, thereby remedying anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
4. Alleviates Joint Pain
The alkaloid nishindine, present in ample amounts in nirgundi root and bark extracts, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) qualities. This helps to mitigate joint pain and muscle spasms in those who have arthrities.
5. Cures High Fevers
Nochi Leaves ( Nochi Ilai) Nirgundi helps to reduce high body temperatures, combat infections and boost immunity, due to its rich vitamin C content and natural antibiotic characteristics. Boil nirgundi leaves in water, filter it out and consume, for instant relief from fevers.
Urdu: Sambhalu, Panjangush
Siddha Medicinal Uses of Nochi
1. The leaves are made into small pieces tied in bundles or kizhi, heated and used for fomentation or ottradam in swellings, arthritis and pain all over the body due to increased vatham etc.
2. 20-30 grams of leaf juice along with the same quantity of cows urine is mixed and given early morning for spleenomegally. Also the leaf paste is externally applied over the inflammed spleen area.
3. The decoction of the Nochi Leaf (Nochi Ilai) is given for vatha diseases, burning sensation of urethra, abdominal pain, intestinal worms etc.
4. The Nochi Leaf (Nochi Ilai) juice is prepared as oil and applied over the head for the inflammation around the neck.
5. For head ache, sinusitis the Nochi leaves (Nochi Ilai) are used to prepare a pillow and is proved to be very effective for these conditions.
6. The leaves are put in water, boiled and used for steam inhalation, perspiration occurs and this is an effective remedy for fever and body pain due to derrangement of vatham.
Weight :- 50 grams