Scientific Name
Vitex negundo
Where it is commonly available
Tropical East Africa, Madagascar, from India to Japan, southward through Malesia to Polynesia; distributed throughout the Philippines
Pre-clinical
Antimutagenic, depressant on cardiac function
Clinical
Antitussive (Philippine setting)
How to use them
For cough
> Boil crushed fresh lagundi leaves in a pot with 2 cups of water until only half of the water is left. Leave the pot uncovered when it starts boiling.
> Amount of crushed leaves according to patient’s age: 1 ½ tablespoons (2-6 years old); 3 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 6 tablespoons (13 years old and above)
References
Cortes-Maramba 1981; Dayrit 2014; Galvez Tan 2014; Quisumbing 1978; TKDL 2015
Vitex negundo (Lagundi) contains antioxidant phenolic compounds and flavonoids such as casticin, chrysoplenol D, luteolin, iso-orientin, and luteolin-7-0-glucoside. Other compounds such as epicatechin, quercetin, catechin, myricetin, tocopherol, β-carotene and lycopene were also found to be present in lagundi leaf extracts. Chrysoplenol D was identified as the bioactive substance having anti-histaminergic and muscle relaxant properties particularly useful for cough and asthma. Lagundi is also used for the treatment colds, fever, flu, chronic bronchitis, pharyngitis, rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea, and certain skin or digestive complaints. Primarily it is recognized as herbal medicine for respiratory problems.
Five-leaved chaste tree/Lagundi