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Shaman Australis Ethnobotanicals (Leonotis leonurus, L.nepetifolia- Lion's Tail, Lion's Ear - Seeds for sale, Plants for sale)
Leonotis
leonurus, L.nepetifolia
Lion's Tail, Lion's Ear, Wilde Dagga
Botanical information
Leonotis leonurus (Lion's Tail): A perennial evergreen shrub,
it grows to a height of 1.5m with a spread of 1m. The stem is erect, with straggling
branches; the leaves are dull green, narrow, serrated, 5-10cm long and rough;
the flowers are orange, hooded tubular, and arranged in successive whorls up
the stem. New varieties with pink or white ("Harrismith White") flowers
have become popular ornamentals.
A native of South Africa, it prefers light to medium, welldrained soils in an
open, sunny position, and is drought and frost tender, however will survive
occasional mild frosts.
Propagation is by seed or cuttings taken in spring. Propagation domes and rockwool
are not suitable as the plants are likely to rot before rooting. Striking cuttings
in cactus mix after removing most of their leaves (to reduce transpiration)
is the most satisfactory method. Water sparingly until established. Leonotis
leonurus is frequently referred to as a Leonurus species, but this is incorrect,
as Leonotis is a separate genus to Leonurus.
Leonotis nepetifolia (Lion's Ear): An annual plant, it grows to a height
of 2.5m with a spread of 1m. The stems are erect and sparesly branching; the
leaves are green, oval-acuminate and opposite; the flowers are orange and tubular,
with expanding lips, and occurr in dense ball-like whorls on the stems.
A native of tropical africa, it prefers moist, well drained, fertile soils in
a protected, sunny position, and is drought and frost tender.
Propagation is by seed.
Traditional uses
Most species of Leonotis have
some traditional use as smoking herbs. The herb and flowers are dried and either
used as a smoking herb, or extracted to make a resin which can be smoked. The
effects are somewhat comparable to mild cannabis smoke. In its native high temperature
/ low humidity environment of Africa it produces a considerable amount of resin
which deposits on the leaf surface and can be scraped off. This is not the case
in cooler climates and extractions are necessary to produce a strong smoking
material. Recently dried flowers have proved to be highly active. To improve
the smoking quality it is desirable to harvest after the bees have removed the
nectar. Experiments with hydro-ethanolic resin extracts appear to yield an effect
very similar to cannabis intoxication.
Further traditional internal uses include treatment of coughs, cold, influenza,
chest infections, diabetes, hypertension, eczema, epilepsy, delayed menstruation,
intestinal worms, constipation, spider bites and scorpion stings and as an antidote
for snakebite. Externally L.leonurus has traditionally been applied for the
relief of haemorrhoids, eczema, skin rashes and boils.
Pharmacology
Many ethnobotanical websites claim the active contituent of Leonotis spp to
be the bioactive compound leonurine (see Leonurus cardiaca & L.sibiricus),
however there appears to be no scientific foundations for this. Analyses of
Leonotis leonurus have shown the presence of pre-marrubiin and marrubiin, with
the latter most likely being an extraction artefact, which can often be the
dominant principle. L.leonurus also contains tannins, quinones, saponins, alkaloids
and triterpene steroids.
Extracts of L.leonurus are used as effective anticonvulsants. As the traditional
use of 'treating delayed menstruation' shows, they also exhibit slight uterus
activity, in particular in preventing egg implantation.
I could not locate any analysis of Leonotis nepetifolia, however effects of
this herb are in many ways analogous to those of L.leonurus with the exception
that some individuals experience agitation from the nepetifolia. The aroma is
similar too, although a little more citrus-like and more acrid.
Click on Thumbnails to see full size/high resolution picture! (in new
window)
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Leonotis nepetifolia
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Leonotis nepetifolia (from
above)
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Leonotis leonurus
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Leonotis leonurus
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Leonotis leonurus v. alba
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![Leonotis leonurus - Dagga Petals [white]](images/_NoImage.jpg "Leonotis leonurus - Dagga Petals [white]")
