Lippia javanica `Fever Tea'
[ Family name: Verbenaceae ]
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Lippia was named after Augustin Lippi 1678-1701, an Italian traveller and natural historian.
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Infusions are used as a tea, and are also taken as a general health tonic. As a tea, it has a calming and relaxing effect,
It is naturally caffeine free, and has a good taste and pleasant aroma.
The smoke from the herb has proven to be affective, if inhaled, against asthma, chronic coughs and pleurisy. The leaves and stems are burned.
Lippia javanica is also used ritually in a cleansing ceremony when someone has been in contact with a corpse and also for protection against dogs, crocodiles and lightning.
The Zulu's use the whole plant as a protective charm (intelezi) for sprinkling around the homestead to ward off evil.
The Masai make a red ointment from it, which they use to decorate their bodies.
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Active ingredients :
L. javanica is rich in volatile oil and numerous monoterpenoids have also been identified.
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Pharmacological effects :
Volatile oils have decongestant and antiseptic effects.
The possible pain-relieving activities require further study.
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