Description
· A coarse, erect, branched, more or less hairy aromatic annual ).5 to 2 m tall, with square stems.
· Leaves: ovate, opposite, 4-9 cm long, pointed at the tip, pointed to somewhat heart-shaped at the base, and toothed at the margins.
· Flowers: axillary, long-stalked. Calyx hairy, about 4 mm long, but soon enlarges in fruit to about 1 cm long, striate with erect, stiff teeth. Corolla blue, strongly zygomorphic, bilabiate; stamens 4, declinate, and about 8 mm long, with a limb 5 mm in diameter.
· Fruits: seeds are flat and mucilaginous.

Distribution
Very abundant in open, waste places at low and medium altitudes throughout the Philippines.

Constituents
A greenish volatile oil, 0.006837 - 0.0135% - menthol.

Parts utilized
Whole plant.
Collect from April to June.
Wash, cut in pieces and compress. Dry under the sun.

Drug Characteristics and Pharmacologic Effects
Bitter, minty and aromatic.
Analgesic, decongestant, and antipyretic, stimulates blood circulation.

Uses
Folkloric
· Fever associated with cold.
· Flatulence: Decoction of herb as tea.
· Boils: Crush leaves and apply on affected area.
· Headache: Crush leaves and apply on forehead or temples.
· Pounded fresh material applied as poultice may be used for treatment of snake bites.
· Decoction of fresh material may be used as external wash for dermatitis, eczema.
· Infusion of dried leaves is taken for fever or applied to the forehead for headaches and to boils. The juice of leaves, mixed with lime juice, is drunk for stomach aches.
· Juicee of leaves used for athlete's foot, applied daily to interdigital areas.
Others
A bedbug repellant from the intense pungency of the leaves.

Availability
Wild-crafted.