Nirgundi, aka: Nirguṇḍī; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Nirgundi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)

Nirguṇḍī (निर्गुण्डी):—One of the sixty-seven Mahauṣadhi, as per Rasaśāstra texts (rasa literature). These drugs are useful for processing mercury (rasa), such as the alchemical processes known as sūta-bandhana and māraṇa.

context information

Rasashastra (रसशास्त्र, rasaśāstra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.

Ayurveda (science of life)

1) Nirguṇḍī (निर्गुण्डी) is a Sanskrit word referring to Vitex negundo, a large shrub from the Lamiaceae (mint) family of flowering plants. It is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā. In English, the plant is known as “horseshoe vitex” or “Chinese chastetree”, among others. Two varieties are recognized: one with pale blue flowers (Śvetapuṣpī), and the other with blue flowers (Puṣpanāṭika (?)). Among the Tamils, one of these plants is supposed to be male and the other female, and for this reason they are usually combined together in their prescriptions. In the Nighantas, Nirguṇḍī is described as cephalic, pungent, astringent, bitter and light; a remedy for colic, swellings, rheumatism, worms, leprosy, dyspepsia, phlegm and boils.

Nirguṇḍī is classified as a synonym for Sinduvāra by Amarasiṃha in his Amarakośa (a Sanskrit botanical thesaurus from the 4^th century). It can also be spelled as Nirguṇṭī.

This plant (Nirguṇḍī) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers (jvara), as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā.

2) Nirguṇḍī (निर्गुण्डी) is another name for Śephālikā (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis “night-flowering jasmine”), from the Apocynaceae family. The term is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Carakasaṃhitā. This synonym was identified by Amarasiṃha in his Amarakośa (a Sanskrit botanical thesaurus from the 4^th century).

Nirguṇḍī (निर्गुण्डी).—The Sanskrit name for an important Āyurvedic drug combination.—Nirguṇḍī is pungent, bitter, hot, pacifies kapha and vāta and destroys worms. Its leaf-juice is useful in kuṣṭha, oedema and āmavāta (theumatoid arthritis).

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

nirguṇḍī (निर्गुंडी).—f S pop. nirguṇḍa f or nirgūḍa f or nirguḍī f A shrub, Vitex negundo or trifolia. It is distinguished into kātarī nirguḍī & sādī nirguḍī. The leaves are used in fumigations.

nirguṇḍī (निर्गुंडी).—f nirguṇḍa f nirgūḍa f or nirguḍī f A shrub, vitex negundo or trifolia.

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