Coleus amboinicus

The aromatic leaves of Coleus amboinicus have long been taken as a warm infusion or mild tea to calm cough, cold, and throat irritation in several traditions. In Brazil, folk medicine records preparation of a tea with several leaves for respiratory complaints (Agra et al., 2008), while in the Caribbean Bahamian tradition a “throat tea” is made from fresh leaves for sore throat and cough (Coreil et al., 1990). Across coastal West Africa, healers in Ghana brew leaf infusions and decoctions to treat cough and bronchial congestion, and also use poultices of crushed leaves for topical inflammation (Khan et al., 2010; Agyare et al., 2013). In East Africa, Somali healers similarly report an oral leaf infusion for “cough and fever,” according to WHO documentation of traditional medicine (WHO, 1999). Across these regions the leaf is the primary plant part used.

For everyday use, a simple mild leaf infusion is practical. Steep 3–5 g (about 2–3 small leaves or 1–2 teaspoons dried leaf) in 250 ml of freshly boiled water, cover, and let stand 10–15 minutes; sip one cup as needed. Safety notes: avoid concentrated daily use during pregnancy and lactation, and limit dose for sensitive users; stop if nausea occurs (Coreil et al., 1990; WHO, 1999). If you prefer a tincture, macerate 1 part crushed fresh leaf with 5 parts 45% alcohol for two weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking daily; strain and take 2–3 ml up to three times daily; avoid in pregnancy and during breast‑feeding, and do not exceed recommended dose (Khan et al., 2010; Agyare et al., 2013).

The aromatic qualities of C. amboinicus align with its documented chemistry. Leaf essential oils rich in carvacrol and thymol account for strong expectorant and antimicrobial actions, and these constituents are variable but prominent in many studies (L传的与报告, 2004; Das & Kumar, 2015). The leaf also contains rosmarinic acid, a well‑reported antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory phenol that plausibly contributes to throat soothing and mucosal comfort (Pérez‑Fontana et al., 2018; Das & Kumar, 2015).

Today the plant remains widely grown as a home remedy in Caribbean, Brazilian, and West African households, and it is often available in markets as “country thyme” or “oregano” (Coreil et al., 1990; Agra et al., 2008). Modern research continues to test its antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory extracts, with the leaf preparations reviewed in contemporary ethnobotanical surveys and WHO monographs (Khan et al., 2010; WHO, 1999).

Common products:
Leaves and stems are processed into essential oil via steam distillation (main components include thymol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene), yielding an aromatic oil used in fragrance formulation and in the production of isolated thymol.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Young leaves and tender stems are used as a culinary herb in parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia; flavoring for curries, soups, and meat or seafood dishes; chopped leaves may be added as a garnish; leaf infusion used as a beverage base in some local practices.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
Thymol-rich leaf essential oil (and thymol isolated from the oil) are used as fragrance materials and aroma components in soaps, detergents, and perfumes; leaf extracts may be incorporated as aromatic ingredients in cosmetics.

Properties relevant to use:
Essential oil is dominated by phenolic monoterpenes (thymol and carvacrol variants), imparting strong aromatic character and volatility suitable for perfumery; thymol yields a characteristic medicinal/herbaceous note and is a commercially important fragrance intermediate.

Standards and regulation:
Leaf essential oil is traded commercially; general fragrance materials are subject to safety and labeling provisions such as IFRA Standards and regulatory restrictions on specific substances (e.g., thresholds for thymol/carvacrol in finished products in certain jurisdictions).

Sustainability and sourcing:
Fresh biomass is required for steam distillation, as essential oil yield is low; cultivation and harvesting systems determine quality and seasonal supply; leaves may be prone to postharvest spoilage unless promptly processed, influencing the sustainability profile of oil production.

No subspecies added yet.

No variety added yet.

No subvariety added yet.

No forms added yet.

No germination or propagation data was added yet.

No distribution data was extracted from POWO/KEW yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

No known contributors. Be the first!

In private collections	0
In public collections	0

You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.