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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.
Distribution
Widely distributed in the Philippines;
in thickets and waste places; flowering year round. Best propagated
by use of mature, leafless stem cuttings.
Parts
utilized
Leaves, bark, roots and seeds. Leaves may be harvested three
months after establishment.
Constituents
Volatile oil; resin; alkaloid; lichen acids; glucoside.
Uses
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 Department of
Health (DOH) for cough and asthma. One of a few herbs recently registered
with the Bureau of Foods and Drugs (BFAD) as medicines.
Preparation
How to make lagundi syrup
• Clean fresh lagundfi leaves and chop.
• In 4 glasses of water, boil 4 tablespoons of minced lagundi
leaves for 50 minutes.
• Strain the liquid extract and add 1 part honey to 4 parts extracts.
• Boil in an earthen pot or enamel-lined saucepan for 15 minutes
until the desired viscosity is attained; cool.
• Pour the syrup in clear amber-colored bottles.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Commercial formulations: Tablets (Ascof by AlterMed / Pascual Laboratories),
teas, and syrup.
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