Leonitis Leonorus "Wild Dagga"

The plant is a broadleaf evergreen large shrub native to South Africa and southern Africa. It is known for its medicinal properties, including the treatment of fevers, headaches, malaria and dysentery.

The main psychoactive component of Leonotis leonurus is leonurine, according to peer reviewed journal published phytochemical analysis. Like other plants in the mint family, it also contains marrubiin.

The name "wild dagga" links it closely to cannabis, as "dagga" is derived from the Khoikhoi "dachab", an indigenous South African name for cannabis species.

Medicinal Uses

• Wild Dagga has long been used in African traditional medicine as a treatment for fevers, headaches, malaria, dysentery and snakebite. It is very similar to Klip Dagga but considered to be slightly more potent, however some people claim the opposite to be true, and this can be dependent on the quality of the sample being tested.
• In Trinidad it is a common cold, fever and asthma remedy.
• Studies suggest that teas or tinctures made with the leaf possesses anti-nociceptive properties (it inhibits the sensation of pain), is anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic and therefore lend pharmacological credence to the folkloric uses of this herb in the management and/or control of painful, arthritic, and other inflammatory conditions, as well as for adult-onset type-2 diabetes mellitus.
• Both Klip Dagga Leonotis nepetifolia and Wild Dagga Leonotis leonurus are excellent heart tonics.
• They are used for heart conditions associated with anxiety and tension and will calm palpitations, tachycardia and irregular heartbeats.
• The dried foliage of Leonotis - both Wild Dagga and Klip Dagga - can be used as a legal substitute for marijuana (ganja, cannabis, hemp).
• Smoking this dried herb gives an euphoric-like effect and exuberance.
• The flowers are the most potent part and can be smoked or used as a calming tea.