Botany
Tala is an erect herb reaching a height of about 50 cm. Leaves are opposite, oblong-ovate, 3 to 10 cm long, 1.5 to 4 cm wide, pointed at both ends, and toothed at the margins. Upper surface of the leaves is rough. Flowers are about 1 cm long, purplish, and clustered on stems which are found in the axils of the leaves or which terminate the leafy branches.
Distribution
In open, wet places at low altitudes in Lepanto, Nueva Viscaya, Pampanga, Bulacan, Camarines and Sorsogon Provinces in Luzaon; Palawan, Panay, Negros and Mindanao.
Also occurs in India to Malaya and Polynesia.
Constituents
Leaves yield an essential oil.
Essential oil has yielded p-methoxybenzoic acid, anisaldehyde, anisylacetone, trans-anethole, cis-anethole, methylchavicol, formic acid, propionic acid, acetic acid, valeric acid, acetone and hentriacontanol.
Properties
Aromatic with a flavor similar to Chinese star anise.
Considered carminative and tonic.
Parts used
Leaves.
Uses
Culinary
Anise-scented leaves used as flavoring for food.
Folkloric
Infusion of leaves used as diuretic and digestive tonic.
Juice of the plant rubbed over the body for pestilent fever.
Decoction of leaves is taken internally for gonorrhea and impotence.
In Thailand, decoction of leaves used as expectorant; externally as cosmetic for skin care.
In India, used as diuretic and stomachic.
Others
Essential oil used for perfuming of hair oils.
Studies
• Antimicrobial: Essential oil and constituents have exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi. The essential oil has shown antifungal activity.
• Flavonoids: Aerial parts and roots have yielded flavonoids: 5-Hydroxy-6,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (salvigenin), 5-Hydroxy-7,2',4'-trimethoxyflavone, and 5-Hydroxy-7,8,2',4'-tetramethoxyflavone.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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