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:

General Information

Plectranthus vettiveroides is a semi-succulent perennial plant growing up to 60cm tall from a fibrous rootstock.
The plant is cultivated in southern India (Tamil Nadu) for its fragrant roots, which are used medicinally and as a hair tonic[]. It is sold in local markets for medicinal use[].
Plectranthus vettiveroides is only known in cultivation, and the extent of cultivation has greatly diminished since the start of the 20th century. The plant is classified as 'Extinct in Wild' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013), and is also considered to be threatened with extinction in cultivation[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern India

Habitat

The plant is not known in a truly wild state.

Properties

Conservation Status	Extinct in Wild
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is emmenagogue and stimulant[]. It is often used to treat a wide range of digestive problems including stomach aches, dyspepsia, nausea and vomitting[].

The fibrous and strongly aromatic roots of Plectranthus vettiveroides have both medicinal and religious significance. They are used in various formulations in the Ayurveda and Siddha schools of herbalism[].

The roots and root oil are traditionally used to treat cachexia, fever, burning of liver, swelling of hands and feet, head-ache, dysentery and eye pain. The roots are also used for the treatment of burning eyes, diarrhoea, intrinsic haemorrhage, strangury, hyperdipsia, leprosy, leucoderma ulcer, nausea, vomiting, skin diseases, giddiness and quenching thirst[].

The root extract has anti-bacterial, deodorant and cooling properties - it is used as one of the ingredients in hand sanitizers[].
The dried black stem is sold as vetiver in raw drug shops in Tamil Nadu and is one of the herbal materials used in Yagya. The dried stem powder is prescribed by Siddha doctors as bathing powder[].

Other Uses

The roots are straw-coloured and slightly fragrant when fresh, but turn dark and are strongly aromatic when dry. The fragrant roots are used to make garlands for the decoration of temple images and for dressing hair[].
The plant is used as a tonic when washing the hair and is said to promote hair growth[].
The dried stem is also used as an ingredient in the incense industry[].

Propagation

Seed - the plant rarely flowers so seed is not usually available. If it is obtained, then sow it 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 of Plectranthus species generally root easily - soft tips root faster than semi-hardwood growth. The cuttings are best taken 60 - 100mm long with three or four nodes, making the cut just below a node. Place them in sand, perlite, vermiculite or peat, or any mixture of these, keep them moist and shaded and they should root in 2 - 3 weeks[]

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