---

CLASSIFICATION

ORDER	: Lamiales
FAMILY	: Lamiaceae
GENUS	: Plectranthus L'Hér
SPECIES	: amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.
BOTANICAL NAME	: Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.
SYNONYMS	: Coleus amboinicus Lour.
COMMON NAME	: Cuban Oregano, Indian Borage, Indian Mint, Mexican Mint
TAMIL NAME	: Karpuravalli
HINDI NAME	: Patta ajwain

PLANT DESCRIPTION

HABIT:  Succulents

HABIT :  A sprawling, perennial and succulent herb with short hairs and fleshy stems.

LEAVES:  Petiolate, simple, densely velvety, fleshy, ovate to roundish, margins toothed.

INFLORESCENCE :  Spikes

FLOWER:  Pedicellate, sepals bell shaped.Corolla in different shades from pale blue to maroon to pink, bilipped. Stamens fused to form a tube.

FLOWERING AND FRUITING TIME:  Not known.

MEDICINAL USES

This is very useful in the treatment of sour throat, congestion sinusitis etc as it contains the compounds that act as an powerful expectorent which eliminate phlegm and mucus from the respiratory tract.

It also helps to boost the immune system.

The leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus contain the volatile compounds that are rich in omega- 6 – fatty acids such as gamma- linolenic acid. Which helps to reduce arthritis by preventing joint degradation.

Vitamin A and carotenoids present in it helps to improve the vision, reduce the oxidative stress and reduce the macular degradation.

Being diuretic in nature, this herb is efficient in cleaning the body toxins and stimulates urination.

IMAGES

Print this page