Vitex negundo

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Vitex negundo
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Verbenaceae Genus: Vitex Species: V. negundo
Binomial name
Vitex negundo

[edit] Botany

Erect, branched tree or shrub, 2-5 m high. Leaves usually 5-foliate, rarely with 3 leaflets only. Leaflets lanceolate, entire, 4-10 cm long, slightly hairy beneath. Panicles terminal, slightly hairy, many-flowered, 10-20 cm long; additional axillary ones often present. Flowers blue to lavender, 6-7 mm long. Fruit globose, black when ripe, about 4 mm in diameter.

[edit] Distribution

Widely distributed in the Philippines; in thickets and waste places; flowering year round. Best propagated by use of mature, leafless stem cuttings.

[edit] Parts utilized

Leaves, bark, roots and seeds. Leaves may be harvested three months after establishment.

[edit] Constituents

Volatile oil; resin; alkaloid; lichen acids; glucoside.

[edit] Uses

[edit] Folkloric

Leaf decoction for fever, headache, toothache, cough, asthma. (1) For fever and toothaches, boil 6 tbsp of the chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes; strain and cool. Divide the decoction in 3 parts and take one part every 3-4 hours. Also, bruised leaves may be applied to forehead. (2) For asthma and cough: Take 1/4 of the decoction three times a day. Pounded leaves applies on the forehead and temples for headaches. (3) Aromatic bath or sponge bathing: Boil 4 handfuls of leaves in a pot of water for 5 minutes; use the lukewarm decoction for sponge bathing. (4) Wounds and ulcers: Use infusion of leaves as wash. Recent Use Lagundi has been proven to be an effective analgesic and antitussive (prepared as a pleasant tasting cough syrup) and has been considered as a replacement for dextromethorphan in the public health system. New Application Studies have shown benefit through reduction of coughing and relaxation of the bronchial smooth muscles. Being promoted by the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) for cough and asthma. One of a few herbs recently registered with the Philippines Bureau of Foods and Drugs (BFAD) as medicines.

[edit] Availability

Wild-crafted. Commercial formulations: Tablets (Ascof by AlterMed / Pascual Laboratories), teas, and syrup.