Lantanacamara Linn.
Family: Verbenaceae
Common names –wild sage, red sage, Indian Lantana, shrub verbena, tick berry, Bahama tea, and èwonadele (Yoruba).
A perennial shrub with aromatic leaves when bruised. Lantana grows up to 1-2 meters in height with purple, red, yellow, orange, bright red, and dark blue flowers often mixed in clusters. Flowers are very beautiful and attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. The plant produces small round berries that are initially green and turn black when ripe.
The herb is known as a noxious weed often found in cultivated fields and other ecosystems, such as woodlands, grasslands, wastelands, roadsides, and even forests.
Parts used: leaves, flowers, and roots.
The phytochemical components of Lantana which attribute to its insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti oxidant, antipyretic, calminative, anti hypertensive, antibacterial, anti fungal, anti tumor, wound healing properties as well as nematicidal activities include –resins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenes, phlobatannins, and coumarins. No wonder the plant has so many traditional uses in primary health care delivery in rural African communities and many parts of the world.
Traditional applications of the plant are as follows:
Stomach discomfort- its leaves and extracts have found a place in traditional medicine as a digestion aid, very good at soothing stomachaches and reducing bloating, cramps, and flatulence. Taking the leaf tea 2X daily will help soothe various indigestion symptoms of gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea and dysentery.
Respiratory problems: The herb has been traditionally used to alleviate respiratory conditions, thanks to its expectorant, immune boosting, and anti-inflammatory properties. For respiratory conditions like asthma, common colds, coughs, sore throat, and bronchitis, take warm lantana tea. The natural cooling sensation of the plant can help to bring down a fever when infected with the flu. To make the herb tea, simply infuse a tablespoon of the dried leaves in freshly boiled water for 30 minutes, sieve and take one cup, two to three times a day. Its natural expectorant properties help clear mucus and soothe the airways. Also, ashes from the dried leaves with a pinch of sea salt can be licked – 1 leveled teaspoon 2-3x daily.
Skin disorders-The decoction prepared from the leaves is mostly used in herbal medicine for wound healing and to alleviate many skin issues like chicken pox, measles, rashes, itchy spots, leprosy, craw-craw, eczema, and scabies. Apply the leaf juice or decoctions on affected parts. Poultices can be used as a paste on minor wounds and burns. The paste helps prevent infection and promotes healing. Apply as needed, ensuring the wound or affected area is clean before each application. It is good to know that nature has given us a powerful handy resource like lantana for common emergencies, thanks to its fast-acting antiseptic and anti microbial properties.
Rheumatism and joint pain: Traditional practices indicate that Lantana might have analgesic properties and thus be utilised to alleviate the discomfort of rheumatism and joint pain. The tincture and essential oil make a powerful pain relief. To make the tincture, soak fresh leaves in ethanol for a minimum of two weeks. Take 15–30 drops of the tincture, diluted in warm water, two to three times a day. This can help reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. Decoctions of the roots can also help.
Toothache: Studies reveal their effectiveness against various bacteria responsible for gum disease and dental decay, both of which can cause pain. Leaves are chewed liberally. Crushed fresh roots or powdered dry roots are applied on the gum.
Fever and malaria: The herb’s antipyretic properties make it useful for reducing fever, including that associated with malaria. A decoction from the plant’s leaves is to be taken a half-cup 3X daily or at regular intervals until the fever subsides.
Mosquito repellent: Place some flowers in a jar and pour coconut oil (or any carrier oil of your choice) over them. Be sure that all the flowers are covered with oil. Cover the jar and leave to marinate for a minimum of 2 weeks with the lid covered. Strain and your repellent is ready! If you want it really strong, after straining, add a fresh batch of lantana flowers to the oil, let it sit for another two weeks, and then you strain. Apply to ward off mosquitoes. It usually should last for about 2 hours before it wears off. Reapply, if needed. Juice of the leaves can also be mixed with adequate base and applied topically on exposed parts of the body.
Oxidative stress: Lantana extracts have demonstrated antioxidant activity against harmful free radicals, shielding our cells from oxidative damage and potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases. The plant’s antioxidant power has positioned it as a potential ally in the quest for overall health and well-being.
And that’s not all, Lantana has been used as an anti-tumor, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic agent, and tonic. Nature’s remedies are indeed powerful, as demonstrated by Lantana camara.