Lagundi (Vitex Negundo)
- A shrub known in English as the “5-leaved chase tree” which grows wild in vacant lots and waste land. The flowers are blue and bell-shaped and small fruits turn black when ripe. It is better to collect the leaves where are in bloom. Matured branches are planted.
Parts utilized:
- Leaves, flower.
Uses:
- Asthma, cough and fever– boil the chopped raw fruits or leaves in 2 glasses of water left for 15 minutes until the water left in only one glass. Strain. The following dosages of the decoction are given to age group.
- Dysentery, colds and pain in any part of the body as influenza – boil a handful of leaves and flowers in water to produce a glass full of decoction 3 times a day.
- Skin Diseases (dermatitis, scabies, ulcer, eczema) and wounds – prepare a decoction of the leaves. Wash and clean the skin/ wound with the decoction.
- Headache– crushed leaves may be applied on the forehead.
- Rheumatism, sprain, contusion insect bites– pound the leaves and apply on affected part.
- Aromatic bath for sick patients – prepare leaf decoction for use in sick and newly delivered patients.
Sources: Cuevas, Francis Public Health Nursing in the Philippines. 10th Edition 2007
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal
