Five-leaved Chaste Tree (Nirgundi)

Five-leaved chaste tree is a large aromatic shrub of the mint family with four-angled whitish branchlets, palmate leaves of three to five leaflets that are pale beneath and loose sprays of small bluish-purple flowers. It grows in wasteland and along streams throughout India, including Kerala.

The leaf and root are used. Ayurveda calls it Nirgundi and values it in traditional preparations for joint comfort and respiratory comfort. Its leaves are used in herbal steam, poultices and oils for massage.