lagundi
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LAGUNDI or VITEX NEGUNDO
Lagundi or Vitex negundo is a large shrub native to the Philippines that has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Research conducted by the Philippine Department of Health has suggested that the plant has a number of practical uses, and its use is actively promoted by the government as a result. Outside of the Philippines, preparations of lagundi are sometimes available at stores which supply herbal medicines, or through practitioners of herbal and alternative medicine.
This plant is native to the swamps of the Philippines, where it can sometimes grow quite tall. It has a single thick, woody stem like a trunk, and the leaves appear palmately, in the form of five pointed leaves that splay out like the fingers of a hand. The leaves, root, flowers, and seeds of lagundi all appear to have medicinal value.
Preparations of lagundi have been used for a wide variety of complaints traditionally, although scientific research has concentrated on its use for respiratory complaints. It is generally accepted in the Philippines to be useful for coughs, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems, and the Philippine government actively promotes it as an alternative to Western cough medicines. Some doctors also prescribe it to assist in the treatment of asthma, as regular doses appear to reduce the strength of asthma attacks.
Scientific analyses have shown that Lagundi has anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory effects. These effects help the asthmatic because histamine can constrict the bronchial tubes, and inflammation of mucus membranes can cause wheezing. In addition, Lagundi was found to inhibit leukotriene release. Luekotrienes, like histamine, contribute to constricted breathing and inflammation of the lungs. In double blind studies comparing Lagundi to two prescription medicines, Theophylline (a bronchodilator) and Bromohexine (for cough), lagundi’s bronchodilation and antitussive results were
LAGUNDI or VITEX NEGUNDO
Lagundi or Vitex negundo is a large shrub native to the Philippines that has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Research conducted by the Philippine Department of Health has suggested that the plant has a number of practical uses, and its use is actively promoted by the government as a result. Outside of the Philippines, preparations of lagundi are sometimes available at stores which supply herbal medicines, or through practitioners of herbal and alternative medicine.
This plant is native to the swamps of the Philippines, where it can sometimes grow quite tall. It has a single thick, woody stem like a trunk, and the leaves appear palmately, in the form of five pointed leaves that splay out like the fingers of a hand. The leaves, root, flowers, and seeds of lagundi all appear to have medicinal value.
Preparations of lagundi have been used for a wide variety of complaints traditionally, although scientific research has concentrated on its use for respiratory complaints. It is generally accepted in the Philippines to be useful for coughs, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems, and the Philippine government actively promotes it as an alternative to Western cough medicines. Some doctors also prescribe it to assist in the treatment of asthma, as regular doses appear to reduce the strength of asthma attacks.
Scientific analyses have shown that Lagundi has anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory effects. These effects help the asthmatic because histamine can constrict the bronchial tubes, and inflammation of mucus membranes can cause wheezing. In addition, Lagundi was found to inhibit leukotriene release. Luekotrienes, like histamine, contribute to constricted breathing and inflammation of the lungs. In double blind studies comparing Lagundi to two prescription medicines, Theophylline (a bronchodilator) and Bromohexine (for cough), lagundi’s bronchodilation and antitussive results were