Plectranthus amboinicus

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Plectranthus amboinicus

Plectranthus amboinicus (pronunciation: plek-TRAN-thus am-boi-NI-kus), also known as Cuban oregano, Spanish thyme, or Mexican mint, is a perennial plant native to Southern and Eastern Africa. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes many other aromatic herbs and shrubs.

Etymology

The genus name Plectranthus is derived from the Greek words 'plektron', meaning a 'spur', and 'Anthos', meaning 'flower', referring to the spur-shaped flowers of some members of this genus. The species name amboinicus refers to Ambon Island in Indonesia, where early specimens of the plant were collected.

Description

Plectranthus amboinicus is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 1 meter in height. It has fleshy, pubescent (hairy) leaves that are broadly ovate and emit a strong aroma when crushed. The plant produces small, white to pale purple flowers in terminal spikes.

Medicinal Uses

Traditionally, Plectranthus amboinicus has been used in herbal medicine for its supposed benefits in treating a variety of conditions such as respiratory ailments, skin diseases, and digestive problems. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.

Related Terms

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski