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 laxiflorus is a freely-branched, climbing, perennial plant with ascending to spreading stems that form roots at the lower nodes. The stems can become more or less woody and persist; the plant usually growing 70 - 150cm tall, but up to 400cm with support[, ].
The plant is often harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in the shade of trees[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

East tropical Africa - Sudan, Ethiopia, south to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and S. Africa

Habitat

Often locally common in forest margins and on shady stream banks[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The leaves have a sharp citronella-like scent[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Plectranthus laxiflorus is a widely used medicinal plant in eastern Afica, being employed the treatment of a wide range of conditions[]. The plant is said to be abortifacient, antimicrobial, antirheumatic, odontalgic, ophthalmic, purgative and stomachic[, ].

The plant is often used to treat abdominal pain and a wide range of other digestive problems[, ]. A tea made from the leaves is taken as a treatment for coughs and colds[, ]. The plant is also used to treat rheumatism and psychological problems, including madness[].
It is used as an enema in the treatment of influenza, fevers and abdominal conditions[, ].
The crushed leaves and young stems are used to treat eye complaints[, ]
The plant is rubbed on the skin as a treatment for leprosy[].

An infusion of the root is used as a mouthwash to treat loose and bleeding teeth and other gum disorders

Other Uses

The crushed leaves and stems are used as an insect repellant to keep mosquitoes away[].

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 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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