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 barbatus is a semi-succulent, evergreen perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody, it grows from a thick, tuberous rootstock. The branching stems are generally decumbent, rooting at the lower nodes where they touch the ground; the plant forms a clump of growth up to 75cm tall[, , ].
The plant has a very wide range of medicinal applications and is commonly harvested from the wild. It is cultivated for medicinal use in several countries including China, India and Brazil, is grown as a hedge and soil stabilizer in Africa and India, and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental[, ].

Known Hazards

The plant is known to have embryo- and fetotoxic activities on rodents[]. It can sometimes cause perianal dermatitis[].

Botanical References

Range

Eastern Africa - Eritrea to Tanzania, through the Arabian Peninsula to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, southern China and Thailand

Habitat

Open, semi-arid areas, on waste places and often on shallow, moist soil among rocks on slopes; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[].
All parts of the plant are aromatic[].
This species has been considered to be the progenitor of Plectranthus esculentus N.E. Br.[].

Edible Uses

The tuberous roots are eaten as a condiment in India, where they are often prepared as a pickle[, ].

Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[].

The powdered nutlets (seed capsules) are added as a flavouring to pickles and roasted foods[].

Medicinal

In traditional medicine in Brazil, Plectranthus barbatus is commonly used as an analgesic, a remedy for malaria, and to cure liver and stomach diseases[, ]. In India it is considered to have anti-allergenic activity[].

The diterpene forskolin, obtained from the root tubers, is used in the preparation of drugs against cardiomyopathy, glaucoma, asthma and certain cancers[].
The plant contains an essential oil that exhibits anti-allergic activities through passive cutaneous anaphylaxis
inhibition[].
Studies have shown that extracts of the plant reverse allergic bronchospasm[].

The plant, especially the leaves, is used to treat a wide variety of digestive complaints, including stomach aches, nausea, gastritis and intestinal spasms[, ]. It is also used to relieve a range of respiratory complaints including colds, coughs, bronchitis and pneumonia[]. It is used to treat heart, blood and circulation conditions, such as myalgia, angina, haemorrage and hypertension[]. It is also used to treat psychiatric problems, insomnia and convulsions[]. It is used to treat a range of infections including throat and mouth infections, tonsillitis, gastro-intestinal infections, genitourinary infections, as well as ear and eye infections. It is used to treat malaria in Brazil and to break fevers in East Africa and India.
The plant is a recognized source of useful antiglaucoma agents[].
The leaves are used to treat conjunctivitis and earache[].
The whole plant is said to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity, and antiprotozoic activity against protozoa, such as Giardia[].
The plant is used in the treatment of syphilis. It is used as an emmenagogue and oral abortifacient or contraceptive, and as an aphrodisiac. The contraceptive property of this species is corroborated by the fact that the leaves were found to have an anti-implantation effect in rats[].
It is applied externally in the treatment of burns, wounds, sores, insect bites, ringworm and skin allergies[]. It reduces swelling on bruises and is used to bathe babies suffering from measles[].
It is used for treating rheumatism, stiff neck, backache and dislocated bones[]. The leaves, when burned a little and placed on the skin of the neck, are said to relieve stiffness[].
The plant is used in the treatment of teeth and gum disorders[].
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 reported to stimulate the immune system[].
The plant is antiinflammatory and purgative[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used as a small hedge and is planted on hillsides to act as a soil stabilizer in eastern Africa, India and Sri Lanka[, ].
The plant, when composted, makes a good manure[].
When growing well in the wild, the plant is said to be a good indicator of fertile soils[].
The flowers are attractive to bees[].

Other Uses

The soft velvety leaves have a camphorous aroma and are used as a body rub to cleanse and deodorize the skin[].

An extract of the roots is used as a skin conditioner in commercial cosmetic preparations[].

Both the leaves and the stems are used to hasten the ripening of bananas[].

The whole plant contains a forskolin-like compound that is used in hair dyeing[]

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 - soft tips root faster than semi-hardwood growth but both root easily. 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[]
Division.

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