VE II BEN A GE2E, 7 3 



4 



is Nilacunmly and the Telugu Nela-giimadL {Ainsru\ Mat 

 InrLj ii., p. 240.) 



VITEX NEGUNDO, Linn, 



Fig. — JFifjht Ic, t. 519 ; Rjiccdcy Hort. MaL li.^ t. 12* 



VITEX TRIFOLIA, i:/>^;^. 



Fig.— ^c)^. ^la(j,, t 2187 ; Rheede, Ilort. MaL iL, t, IL 



Hab. — Tlirougliout India and Ceylon. The leaves, root, 

 and fruit. 



Vernacular. — -Sambhaki, Nisinda {Hind.), Nisinda {Bcng.)y 

 Vanai, Nigiidi, Lingur {Mar^)^ Yellai-nochi, Nir-nochi (2\x^v?.), 



Tella-vavili, Niru-vavili {TeL), Nochi, Nirnochi [MaL), Lakkij 

 Kare-lakki {Can.}, Niguri {Gnz.), 



History, Uses, &C. — These two shrubs, the properties of 



which appear to be identical, are described by Sanskrit writers 

 under the names of Nirgundi, Sindhuvara,* Sephalika, Sveta- 

 pushpi, Pushpanilika, &c. Two varieties are recognisei: one 

 Avith pale blue flowers {SvetcqmHlipi) y and the other with blue 

 flowers [PnalqyanHikti). 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 pre- 

 scriptions. In the Nighantas, Nirgundi is described as cephalic, 

 pungentj astringent, bitter and light; a remedy for colic, swell- 

 ings, rheumatism, worms, leprosy, dyspepsia, phlegm, and boils. 



The leaves are generallj'' used as a discutient fomentation in 

 sprains, rheumatism, swelled testicles, contusions, &c. The root 

 is thought to be tonic, febrifuge, and expectorant, and the fruit 

 nervine, cephalic, and enimenagogue. 



Mahometan physicians use these plants as substitutes for 

 VifexAgnus-castasy the fruit of which is imported into India and 

 sold in the ba/ars as Sambhitlu-ke-bij, 



* Sinduku, Siiuhivara or Syandavara, from beiug used to prevent a 

 flow of humours, is probably more currcct. 



HI.— 10 



