Hyptis suaveolens
Content
Description
A strongly aromatic, almost fetid, much-branched herb, 0.5-2 m high.
Leaves firmly herbaceous, ovate to broadly obovate, 3-5 by 2-4 cm, subacute, base rounded, truncate, often slightly oblique;
Flowers in lax, 2-5-flowered secund cymes, arranged racemosely towards the ends of branches in the axils of smaller leaves.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Borneo present, Carolines present, New Ireland present, Pacific: Marianas present, tropical America
Native of tropical America, naturalized in all tropical countries and throughout Malesia, though rare in forest-clad islands (e.g. Borneo). Also in New Ireland, Marianas, Carolines, etc.
Uses
In Java it is considered a medicinal plant (HEYNE, Nutt. Pl. 1927, 1333). It is sometimes used as forage for cattle. It is also said to promote lactation in women.
In Peninsular Thailand the very tips of the shoots are sometimes added to food as a flavouring. Medicinally, it is a stimulant, sudorific and useful against catarrh in Malaya. Malays use it for poulticing skin complaints ().
In the Philippines the fetid-aromatic leaves are put under beds, chairs, etc. to drive out bedbugs (). The crushed leaves are used as an antiseptic for wounds and skin-diseases (). The leaves are further used for the preparation of antirheumatic and antisuporific baths. Also the roots find application, e.g. as an appetizer, for affection of the uterus, etc. (cf. SANTOS, ).
HARTLEY () listed this species as a potential medicine against cancer.
In Peninsular Thailand the very tips of the shoots are sometimes added to food as a flavouring. Medicinally, it is a stimulant, sudorific and useful against catarrh in Malaya. Malays use it for poulticing skin complaints ().
In the Philippines the fetid-aromatic leaves are put under beds, chairs, etc. to drive out bedbugs (). The crushed leaves are used as an antiseptic for wounds and skin-diseases (). The leaves are further used for the preparation of antirheumatic and antisuporific baths. Also the roots find application, e.g. as an appetizer, for affection of the uterus, etc. (cf. SANTOS, ).
HARTLEY () listed this species as a potential medicine against cancer.
Citation
EPLING 1949 – In: Rev. Mus. La Plata n.s.: 261
BACK. 1931: Onkr. Suiker.: 567
POIT. 1973: Atlas: t. 539
KUDO 1929 – In: Mem. Fac. Sc. & Agr. Taihoku Un.: 147
HASSK. 1844: Cat. Hort. Bog.: 130
QUIS. 1951: Medic. Pl. Philip.: 817
TEYSM. 1856 – In: Nat. Tijd. N. I.: 193
K.SCH. & LAUT. 1905: Nachtr. Fl. Schutzgeb.: 372
BARTLETT 1926 – In: Pap. Mich. Ac. Sc.: 59
PRAIN 1907 – In: J. As. Soc. Beng.: 705
POIT. 1923 – In: En. Philip.: 417
Hook.f. 1885 – In: Fl. Br. Ind.: 630
THUNB. 1845: Fl. Filip., ed. 2: 352
BLANCO 1837: Fl. Filip.: 477
HEND. 1950: p. 391. – In: Mai. Nat. J.: f. 361
Miq. 1858 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 959
F.-VILL. 1880: Nov. App.: 164
HATUS. 1966 – In: Mem. Fac. Agr. Kagoshima Un.: 48
HENTY & PRIT-CHARD 1975: p. 106. – In: Bot. Bull. Lae: fig.
POIT. 1918: Sp. Blanc.: 338
THUNB. 1878 – In: Fl. Filip., ed. 3: 250
Koord. 1912 – In: Exk. Fl. Java: 153
MUKERJEE 1940 – In: Rec. Bot. Surv. India: 63
BTH. 1833: Lab. Gen. Sp.: 124
BTH. 1831 – In: Linnaea: 82
VIDAL 1885: Phan. Cuming. Philip.: 136
KENG 1969 – In: Gard. Bull. Sing.: 96
Ridl. 1923 – In: Fl. Mal. Pen.: 645
BACK. & BAKH. f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java: 634
VIDAL 1886: Rev. Pl. Vasc. Filip.: 213
Merr. 1912: Fl. Manila: 409
BTH. 1848 – In: DC., Prod. 12: 126
DAMMERMAN 1926 – In: Nat. Tijd. N. I.: 44, 75