Vitex negundo L.

Nomenclature and Morphological Overview

Vitex negundo L., commonly known as the Chinese chaste tree, five-leaved chaste tree, horseshoe vitex, or nisinda, is a large aromatic shrub with quadrangular branchlets that are densely covered in whitish tomentose hairs. It is widely used in folk medicine, especially in South and Southeast Asia.

Growth Form and Size

This species grows as an erect shrub or small tree, reaching heights between 2 and 8 meters (6.6 to 26.2 feet). Its bark is reddish brown.

Leaf Structure

Leaves are digitate, most often with five lanceolate leaflets, though sometimes only three. Each leaflet measures around 4 to 10 centimeters (1.6 to 3.9 inches) in length; the central leaflet is the largest and has its own stalk.

Leaf Features

Leaf margins are toothed or serrated, and the underside of each leaflet is covered in hairs.

Inflorescence Size

Numerous flowers grow in panicles 10 to 20 centimeters (3.9 to 7.9 inches) long.

Flower Characteristics

Individual flowers are 6 to 7 millimeters (not centimeters) long, and range in color from white to blue. Its petals vary in length, with the middle lower lobe being the longest.

Flower Hairs

Both the corolla and calyx are covered in dense hairs.

Fruit Structure

The fruit is a succulent drupe, 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) in diameter, with a shape ranging from rounded to egg-shaped. Ripe fruits are black or purple.

Native Range

Vitex negundo is native to tropical Eastern and Southern Africa and Asia. It is widely cultivated and has become naturalized in many other regions.

Specific Indigenous Distribution

It is indigenous to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Habitat

It is commonly found growing near bodies of water, on recently disturbed land, in grasslands, and in mixed open forests.

General Uses

Purified extracts of Vitex negundo are believed to have medicinal properties. The plant is used to protect stored garlic from pests.

Philippine Medicinal Use

In the Philippines, it is approved by the Department of Health as one of ten official herbal medicines used as a cough remedy, and is sold under the trade names Ascof, Plemex, and Lagundex.

Malaysian Medicinal Use

In Malaysia, it is used in traditional herbal medicine for women's health, including treatments to regulate the menstrual cycle, manage fibrocystic breast disease, and as a post-partum remedy.