Common Name:

General Information

Hyptis capitata is an aromatic, annual to perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody. It can grow 50 - 200cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is cultivated for medicinal use in home gardens in Ecuador[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad to Cuba and southeast N. America

Habitat

A pantropical weed in settled areas, open waste places, fallow rice paddies[]. Usually found on degraded farmland and along roads and clearings in lowland rain forest at elevations up to 750 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid tropics,

The plant has spread widely as a weed and is reported to be invasive in many areas. It seeds prolifically each year, which ensures its survival. The seeds, however, are light-sensitive and germination requires exposure to light. On the other hand, exposure to far-red radiation, which is predominant where sunlight is filtered through a canopy of leaves, hinders germination. Thus, since the plant is often found along margins and tracks of rainforests, there will be a large quantity of ungerminated seeds present which provides a nucleus of infestation when these areas are cleared[]. The seed can be spread in several ways: the flower heads, containing seed, are spread by water; the seeds are also dispersed by animals, humans, vehicles (including slashers and machinery), and when attached to fur, clothing and mud[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are excitant and tonic[]. A cold water infusion of the crushed leaves is drunk as a remedy for 'black diarrhoea'[]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a sedative and calmative, and to reduce heart palpitations[].
A decoction of the leaves is used to clean wounds[]. The crushed leaves are applyied to cuts and abrasions in order to prevent infections[]. The young leaves are pounded into a paste and applied to the affected areas as a treatment for stomach ache[].

A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of amenorrhea[].

The plant (part not specified) is used as a treatment for dry cough and tooth aches; gas pains in infants and convulsions in children[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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