Health Update

Small tufty shrub, about 1m. high. Stems slender, rigid, much-branched; bark brown. Leaves opposite, very narrow, caducous; main nerve conspicuous. Flowers white, solitary in the axil of the leaves. Capsule small; seeds angular. All parts of the plant are strongly scented.

Flowering period:

April – June.

Distribution:

Grows wild on arid soils in the mountains and the midlands.

Parts used:

The whole plant, except the roots. It is collected from July to October during its flowering period and sun-dried or heat-dried. The essential oil is obtained from the plant by distillation.

Chemical composition:

The whole plant yields 0.76% essential oil, consisting of cineol, pinene, linalol and limonene.

Therapeutic uses:

The whole plant, except the roots, possesses antibacterial, antifebrile and haemostatic properties. It is indicated in the therapy of coryza, influenza, headache, measles, colic and jaundice, in the form of a fumigation of the dried plant or the inhalation of vapour from a boiling decoction of the fresh plant. It is also prescribed against epistaxis, impetigo, dyspepsia, haemorrhagic dysentery and menstrual disorders, in a dose of 8 to 16g per day in a decoction. It is applied externally as an antiseptic in treating furunculosis and impetigo. The essential oil tincture is used for massage in cases of rheumatism.

Source: Medicinal plants in Viet Nam (Institute of Materia Medica – HANOI – WHO/WPRO, 1990, 444 p.)