Some species of Plectranthus are difficult to identify because of a lack of clear-cut morphological criteria to discriminate not only among species within the genus but also among the closely related genera. This has resulted in numerous taxonomic problems in the naming of species with the result that species have often been placed in several closely related genera like Coleus, Solenostemon and Englerastrum. In addition, some species formally placed in Plectranthus, are now recognized as the more distantly related genus Isodon.
Because of these taxonomic issues, different names have often been used for the same species of Plectranthus and thus it has been difficult to collate information about the ethnobotanical uses of this genus. Furthermore, the most commonly used medicinal species of Plectranthus have a high degree of synonymy[].
This report is very much indebted to the work of C.W. Lukhoba et al. - Journal of Ethnopharmacology 103 (2006) 1–24[] in untangling much of this mess of names, and utilizes the on-line Kew database ‘World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (http://wcsp.science.kew.org/home.do) for determining currently accepted names and synonyms (as of 2018).

Common Name: Country Borage

General Information

Plectranthus amboinicus is an attractive, evergreen perennial plant with lemon-scented, thick, succulent, sprawling stems and fleshy leaves; it can grow 50 - 100cm tall. The lower parts of the stems become more or less woody[, , , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild, mainly for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental and also for medicinal uses and for its edible leaves, which are particularly popular in Mexico and parts of the Caribbean[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Burundi, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique, Natal, Swaziland. Arabian Peninsula - Yemen, to India

Habitat

Roadsides, waste places and on river banks; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plectranthus amboinicus is a plant that ranges from warm temperate areas with dry, mild winters to tropical areas with dry to wet climates[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 36°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 2,600mm, but tolerates 700 - 4,000mm[].
Succeeds in full sun or shade[, ]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil in partial shade[]. Grows best in a light soil[]. A rampant-growing, creeping plant, succeeding well in a woodland[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7[].
The plant is widely cultivated for ornament, food and medicines. It sometimes escapes from cultivation and becomes naturalised on disturbed ground[]. It can form dense carpets in shaded dry forest and is said to be invasive on some Pacific Islands[, ].
There is at least one named variety[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. They have an oregano-like aroma[]. Occasionally used as a potherb[], and sometimes eaten raw with bread and butter[]. They are more commonly used as a flavouring in recipes that call for mixed herbs or oregano, and to spice dishes containing tomato sauces[, ]. The leaves can be chopped, made into flour balls and fried in oil[]. A very strong, aromatic flavour, so it should be used sparingly[].

A tea can be made from the leaves[, ].

Medicinal

Country borage is a strongly aromatic herb with a sage-like flavour[]. It is known to reduce inflammation, though little else is known of its effects[].
The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of the plant have been attributed to the presence of a number of compounds in the plant, including carvacrol, codeine, flavones, phenols, tannins and aromatic acids[].
The leaves have been found to have bronchodilator activity and anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity[].
The plant has been shown to have antimicrobial activity, and is reported to have antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus-1, and anti-HIV inhibition activity[].

The leaves are said to be antibacterial, antitussive and febrifuge[]. They are taken internally in the treatment of a range of digestive problems such as dyspepsia, indigestion, diarrhoea and wind[]. An infusion or syrup made from the aromatic leaves is prescribed to treat coughs[]. The leaves are also used to treat a wide range of other complaints including epilepsy, convulsions, meningitis, congestive heart failure, fevers, colds, bronchitis, asthma, cholera, menstrual pains, labour pains, delayed labour, post-partum pain and to aid expulsion of the afterbirth[, , , ].
The leaves are frequently utilized in the treatment of urinary diseases in the Amazon and India. This species is also reported to relieve kidney troubles, treat vaginal discharges and is drunk after childbirth[].
Applied externally, the leaves are used to treat headaches, inflammations, skin allergies, wounds, burns, sores and ulcers[, , ]. When rubbed on the skin, they will quickly bring relief to bites and stings[, , ].
The leaves are harvested as required and used fresh[].

The seed oil is a treatment for acute edematous otitis acuta in Polynesia, whereas in India its leaves are rubbed onto the eyes to alleviate conjunctivitis[].

The plant has cytotoxic and anti-tumour promoting activity and can be used in the treatment of cancer[].
The plant is used to treat snakebites[].
The plant is antiinflammatory[]. It is used for treating stiff neck and backache[].

Other Uses

The spicy fresh leaves are used to scent laundry and the hair[, ]. The leaves are rubbed into the hair and body after bathing[].
Preparations of the leaves can be used for washing clothes and the hair[].
The leaves are rubbed on the body to act as an insect repellant[].

An essential oil obtained from the plant is rich in carvacrol[]. It is used medicinally[].
The essential oil obtained from the leaves and stems is used as a skin conditioner in commercial cosmetic preparations[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in well-drained soil, covering lightly with a thin layer of sand, and place in a warm but shaded spot. The seed germinates in about three weeks[].
Cuttings - very easy, shoots put in a pot of water will root quickly[].
Division.

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