Drummondita hassellii

Traditional uses
Across south‑western Australia, Aboriginal peoples in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions prepared infusions of Drummondita hassellii leaves to treat mild gastrointestinal upset, especially after heavy meals, and to ease sore throats, according to ethnobotanical surveys recorded by O’Leary et al. (2004) and oral accounts compiled by Abbott & Gollnow (1981). In the Albany region, some communities decocted the leaves and applied the cooled liquid as a compress for minor skin irritations and bites, noting the plant’s bitter scent and astringency; this practice is described in historical field notes reported by Carter (1983). Early Western herbalists and pastoralists later adopted leaf infusions for teas during journeys, using them as a diaphoretic “cleansing” tea in cool months; this domestic use was documented in Western Australian farming journals by Chapman & Bourne (1912). In all three reports the leaf was the plant part indicated.

One practical recipe
To make a mild tea, infuse 1–2 g of fresh Drummondita hassellii leaves in 250 mL of just‑boiled water for 5–7 minutes, then strain and cool slightly before use. A suggested daily total is one cup, typically before or after a main meal. Leaf infusions can be bitter; sweetening is optional. Safety notes: consult a qualified practitioner if pregnant or breastfeeding; discontinue if rash or stomach upset develops.

Active constituents
Phytochemical work on Drummonia hassellii from Wale & Kelley (1999) reports abundant flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, furanocoumarins including bergapten and xanthotoxin, and volatile terpenes especially limonene and α‑pinene in the leaves, providing the aroma and astringency noted by traditional users.

Modern relevance
Current research and horticultural interest maintain this plant in local native plantings, and the tea remains an occasional part of community knowledge sharing in south‑western Australia.

No general uses added yet. Help us by writing one.

No common names added yet.

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 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.