Vitex negundo

Description: Vitex negundo is an erect shrub or small tree growing from 2 to 8 m in height. The bark is reddish brown. Its leaves are digitate, with five lanceolate leaflets, sometimes three. Each leaflet is around 4 to 10 cm in length, with the central leaflet being the largest and possessing a stalk. The leaf edges are toothed or serrated and the bottom surface is covered in hair. The numerous flowers are borne in panicles 10 to 20 cm in length. Each is around 6 to 7 cm long and are white to blue in color. The petals are of different lengths, with the middle lower lobe being the longest. Both the corolla and calyx are covered in dense hairs. The fruit is a succulent drupe, 4 mm in diameter, rounded to egg-shaped. It is black or purple when ripe.

Flowering and Fruiting: August to February.

Economic Importance: Vitex negundo relieves muscle aches and joint pains. The Ayurvedic and Unani Pharmacopoeia of India has documented the use of the leaf, seed and the root to treat excessive vaginal discharge, edema, skin diseases, pruritus, helminthiasis, rheumatism and puerperal fever.

Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30311123/