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Leonotis leonurus
Introduction
Leonotis leonurus, also known as Wild Dagga or Lion’s Tail, is a species of plant in the Leonotis genus and the Lamiaceae (mint) family native to southern Africa.
Related Species
Related Species
There are about thirty species of plants from the family Lamiaceae in the genus Leonotis, but only one other, L. nepetifolia (Klip Dagga), shares the entheogenic properties of L. leonurus. The main difference between the species is that L. nepetifolia‘s flowers sprout from a round prickly ball.
Uses
Uses
Medicinal Uses
Leonotis has been used to treat various conditions including epilepsy, diabetes, bites and stings, skin diseases, muscular cramps, respiratory disorders, hypertension, headaches, viral hepatitis, intestinal worms, obesity and eczema [1].
In 1992, Wild Dagga was shown to reduce breast tumors in mice.
In most common uses the leaves are picked, dried, and then brewed as a tea.
Chemical Constituents
Chemical Constituents
- Leonurine, a mild vasodilator and smooth muscle relaxant.