Lagundi Scientific Name: Vitex negundo Linn.

English Name: FIVE-LEAF CHASTE TREE

Botany Lagundi is an erect, branched tree or shrub, 2 to 5 meters high. Leaves are usually 5-foliate, rarely with 3 leaflets only, and palmately arranged. Leaflets are lanceolate, entire, 4 to 10 centimeters long, slightly hairy beneath, and pointed at both ends, the middle leaflets being larger than the others, and distinctly stalked. Flowers are numerous, blue to lavender, 6 to 7 millimeters long, borne in terminal inflorescences (panicles) 10 to 20 centimeters long. Calyx is hairy, and 5-toothed. Corolla is densely hairy in the throat, and the middle lobe of the lower lip is longest. Fruit is a succulent drupe, globose, black when ripe, about 4 millimeters in diameter. It is a large native shrub that grows in the Philippines and has been traditionally used as herbal medicine. The Philippine Department of Health has conducted research and study for Lagundi and has suggested that the lagundi plant has a number verifiable therapeutic value

Organic Compounds Present (Constituents)

Volatile

oil;

resin;

alkaloid;

lichen

acids;

glucoside.

Constituents of oil: sabinene, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, b-caryophyllene, a-guaine and

globulol. Study on essential oils showed B-caryophyllene common to leaves, flowers and dried fruits. Leaves yield a colorless essential oil and a resin; the fruit yields an acid resin, an astringent organic acid, mallic acid, and coloring matter.

Leaves contain an alkaloid nishindine, flavones, luteolin-7-glucoside, casticin, iridoid glycosides. Phytochemical screening of ethanol leaf extract yielded alkaloids, iridoids, phenolic acids, flavonols and flavonoids.

Seeds contain hydrocarbons, B-sitosterol, benzoic acid and phthalic acid, antiinflammatory diterpene, flavonoids and triterpenoids.

Lagundi, Herbal Medicine - Health Benefits Lagundi has been traditionally used as herbal medicine by Philippine folks. The efficacy of Lagundi has also been verified by the Philippine Department of Health and other Philippine based scientists which concentrated on its use to ease respiratory complaints. Lagundi is generally used for the treatment of coughs, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems, Lagundi is also known for its analgesic effect that helps alleviate pain and discomfort. Other traditional benefits that are derived from the use of Lagundi are as follows:

Relief of asthma & pharyngitis Recommended relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea

Treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox Removal of worms, and boils

Lagundi Herbal Medicine Preparation Lagundi leaves, root, flowers, and seeds are believed to have medicinal value. Lagundi concoction is prepared by boiling, steeping, and then straining various parts such as lagundi leaves, roots, flowers and seeds.

Warning and Side Effects of Lagundi Lagundi use is widely acceptable as safe for use for children and adults and no adverse reaction has been reported. However, moderate use is recommended for pregnant women, and treatment should not exceed one week. If symptoms persist and irritation occurs, stop the use and consult your doctor.

References: http://www.stuartxchange.org/Lagundi.html http://www.medicalhealthguide.com/articles/lagundi.htm