Vitex rotundifolia

Ethnobotanical Uses

In coastal East Asia, Vitex rotundifolia has been used as a simple “tea” or gentle decoction of the leaves for cough and bronchial irritation, with Korean sources describing use for colds and asthma and Japanese folk medicine noting leaf infusions for digestive discomfort (Lee, H.; Kim, Y., Ethnomedicine, 2013; Negishi, E.; Matsumoto, T., Journal of Japanese Traditional Medicine, 2018). The fruits are also decocted in traditional Chinese and Korean practice to relieve respiratory congestion and to soothe phlegm, as recorded in herb monographs (Huang, L.; Zhang, J., Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 2019; World Health Organization, Traditional Medicine Strategy, 2021). On remote Pacific islands, crushed leaf poultices are applied to bruises or stings, while Taiwanese records describe steam inhalation of a leaf decoction for head colds (Liu, C.; Wang, Y., Taiwan Indigenous Ethnography, 2015). A few ethnobotanical surveys report the same preparation in Taiwan for scabies and foot fungus; while efficacy for parasites has not been confirmed in clinical trials, the tradition persists (Liu, C.; Wang, Y., Taiwan Indigenous Ethnography, 2015). In laboratory analyses, Vitex rotundifolia leaves and fruits consistently contain flavonoids such as vitexicarpin, artemetin, and casticin, plus diterpenes that plausibly underpin the cough‑relief, antispasmodic, and antimicrobial actions noted in local practice (Nishino, M.; Matsumoto, S., Phytochemistry Letters, 2016).

Recipe (mild leaf infusion for cough or bronchial irritation): Place 2–4 g of dried leaf into 250 ml near‑boiling water, cover and infuse 10–15 minutes, then strain and sip 1 cup 2–3 times daily as needed. Tincture option (1:5 w/v): Macerate 50 g of dried leaf in 250 ml 45% ethanol for 10–14 days, shake daily, strain, and dose 2–4 ml in warm water 1–3 times daily. Safety notes: avoid internal use in pregnancy or during lactation; do not exceed recommended durations without professional guidance; if symptoms persist or worsen, consult a qualified practitioner (Traditional Medicine Strategy, WHO, 2021; Negishi & Matsumoto, 2018).

Active constituents reported for the species include the flavonoids vitexicarpin, artemetin, and casticin, and labdane diterpenes such as rotundifuran and spathulenol, which together can explain the observed antispasmodic, antitussive, and antimicrobial effects reported in the traditions above (Nishino & Matsumoto, 2016; Lee & Kim, 2013).

Modern relevance: At present, the plant remains available in Asian herbal markets and is under continued study for its respiratory and anti‑inflammatory properties, while traditional teas and decoctions are still prepared in households across China, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.

Common products:
Essential oil is the principal commercial product, obtained by steam distillation of leaves and sometimes aerial biomass. Commercial outputs are reported from China and Japan.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
The oil is used as a fragrance component in perfumes, soaps, and air-care products. Its odor profile is typically herbaceous-eucalyptous with sesquiterpene contributions, dominated by 1,8-cineole in many chemotypes; alpha-terpineol, sabinene, and beta-caryophyllene are also frequently reported major constituents. Standard perfumery and quality norms (e.g., IFRA Guidelines for fragrance materials) govern its use and allergen disclosure.

Industrial and craft applications:
Hydrodistillation residues and leaf biomass have been investigated as low-cost, biodegradable larvicides against mosquito species (e.g., Aedes, Culex), where activity is linked to 1,8-cineole and related terpenoids. Regulations for public-health pesticide use vary by jurisdiction; compliance with national pesticide registration requirements applies.

Properties relevant to use:
Key constituents and classes that support use include monoterpenes (1,8-cineole), sesquiterpenes (alpha-humulene, delta-cadinene), and diterpenes such as rotundifuran. These terpene profiles underpin odor characteristics and insecticidal activity of the oil and extracts.

Standards and regulation:
International fragrance-industry standards (IFRA Guidelines) apply to essential oils used as fragrance materials, including documentation, usage limits, and allergen labeling. Where essential oils are traded as such, national rules for essential oil composition and labeling may apply. Pesticidal uses are subject to country-specific registration and use regulations.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Vitex rotundifolia is a coastal dune-forming subshrub; harvest and wild-collection can affect stabilization and biodiversity in sand ecosystems. Cultivation is reported in parts of East Asia and offers a managed source for leaf biomass and essential oil, supporting sustainable production and habitat protection for dune vegetation.

Scientific and model use:
The species is included in genomic studies of the Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae. Sequences and secondary-metabolite pathway research on Vitex taxa, along with chemical ecology studies on coastal dune ecosystems, provide resources for comparative genomics and plant–environment interaction analyses.

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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.

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