Suppression
Klip dagga
Category: Medicines - plant based
Type
Voluntary
Introduction and description
Leonotis nepetifolia, also known as klip dagga, Christmas candlestick, or lion's ear, is a species of plant in the genus Leonotis and the family Lamiaceae (mint). Varieties include
- Leonotis nepetifolia var. africana (P.Beauv.) J.K.Morton - Indian Subcontinent, much of Africa
- Leonotis nepetifolia var. nepetifolia - much of Africa
Distribution
It is native to tropical Africa and southern India. It can also be found growing abundantly in much of Latin America and the West Indies.
Description
It grows to a height of 3 metres and has whorls of striking lipped flowers, that are most commonly orange, but can vary to red, white, and purple. It has very soft serrated leaves that can grow up to 4 inches wide.
Leonotis nepetifolia (klip dagga) is related to L. leonurus (wild dagga or lion's tail.) The most noticeable difference between the two is the leaf shape. L. nepetifolia leaves are cordate with serrated edges, except the top pair which are lanceolate with serrated edges. The leaves are all lanceolate with serrated edges on L. leonurus.
Traditional medicine
Leonotis nepetifolia is known in Trinidad as shandilay and the leaves are brewed as a tea for fever, coughs, womb prolapse and malaria.
Related observations
Healing observations
- An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Trinidad 021423
- Dr Duke’s list of Ethnobotanical use for Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae) Gros Pompon; Pompon; Grasse Mulatre; Gros Tete; Salbadi; Rumbut tambak-tambak rimba; Molinillo; Cevadille 021425