- Region
- Africa
- Origin
- Southern Africa, among rocks and in grasslands; grown elsewhere as an ornamental
Africa · Herb · № 921
Leonotis leonurus
Herb · Africa
Wild dagga
Leonotis leonurus
A shrub of the mint family, two to three metres tall, with orange, tubular flowers in whorls around the square stems. Contains marrubiin and leonurine, as well as labdane compounds. Considered mildly calming; which substance causes the effect is not yet clear.
Safety notes
Little researched. Smoking damages the lungs, even without tobacco. Can cause dizziness and drowsiness. The plant is not on the lists of the Dutch Opium Act. This information describes traditional use and is no encouragement or advice. Use is at your own risk; the makers of this site are not responsible for the consequences. Never alone, never together with alcohol, other drugs or medicines, not in pregnancy, with heart disease or mental illness (also in the family), and do not drive. In an emergency call 112.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- African healing traditions: Little researched; smoking damages the lungs. Use at your own risk; never alone and not with medicines.
Preparation
Traditionally the leaves and flowers are dried. The Khoikhoi smoked them, and in southern Africa the leaves are made into a tea or a decoction that is drunk. Externally a decoction is used for skin complaints and bites.
Use in traditions
The word dagga comes via Afrikaans from the Khoikhoi word dachab. Later it also became the name for cannabis, which is why this plant is called 'wild' dagga. The Khoikhoi smoked the plant before the Europeans arrived. Healers in southern Africa use it for cough, colds, fever, headache, asthma and snakebite. The plant came to Europe in the seventeenth century.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
African healing traditions
Attributed effects
For cough, colds, fever, headache and snakebite, and as a mild intoxicant.
Preparation and amount
Dried leaves and flowers as a tea or decoction, or smoked.
Caution: Little researched; smoking damages the lungs. Use at your own risk; never alone and not with medicines.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Decoction