Lippia graveolens

Scientific name: Lippia graveolens Kunth

Synonym: Lippia berlandieri Schauer

Botanical family: VERBENACEAE

Vernacular names

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Costa Rica:

orégano
wild marjoran

Other vernacular names

Costa Rica:

Oregano

Geographical distribution

South Texas to Nicaragua.

Botanical description

Thin shrub up to 2 m in height, aromatic, short pilose branches.Leaves oblong to elliptic or ovate to ovate-oblong, 2-4 cm long, usually obtuse or rounded at the apex, rounded or subcordateat the base; densely pilose on the upper side, densely
tomentose and glandular on the underside; finely crenate-edged margins. Flowers in subglobose to oblong spikes 4-12 mm long; white corolla.

Voucher(s)

Ocampo,36-88,CR

bronchitis

leaf and stem, decoction, orally¹

The leaves and stems of Lippia graveolens are a condiment of relatively widespread human consumption.

For bronchitis (expectorant):
prepare a decoction with 30 grams of leaves in 4 cups (1 litre) of water, boil for 5 minutes in a covered vessel. Leave to cool, strain (filter) and drink 1 cup 3 times a day.
Preparations must never be stored for more than 24 hours, even if refrigerated.

The use for bronchitis (expectorant) is classified in the REC category based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, the toxicity studies and the scientific information published.

Not for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children under 12 years.

TRAMIL Work⁹
The aqueous extract (decoction), freeze-dried, from leaves and stems (5 g/kg/5 days), was administered orally in Swiss mice (5 males and 5 females), the control was carried out with distilled water (0.5 ml/animal/day) with another 10 mice of the same strain and characteristics; they had an observation period of 7 weeks once the administration was completed. There was no mortality or signs of toxicity in the parameters evaluated according to the Irwin multidimensional scheme.

No data are available to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children younger than 12 years
of age.

The aerial parts contain oxygenated heterocyclic compounds: lapachol; flavonoids: naringenin, pinocembrin².

The essential oil contains monoterpenes: borneol, camphene, carvacrol, 1-8 cineol, p-cymene, myrcene, α and β-pinene, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpinene, α-terpineol, α-tujene, thymol; sesquiterpenes: β-caryophyllene, humulene; phenylpropanoids:
eugenol^3-5.

The leaf tincture and infusion (2 mg/ml) in vitro showed activity against Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and Streptococcus pneumoniae^6-7.

Extracts with dichloromethane and alcohol exhibit antifungal activity on Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus⁸.

Pharmacopoeia

Ed.3

References

1 OCAMPO R, 1988
Encuesta TRAMIL (Costa atlántica), Instituto de Desarrollo Agrario, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
2 DOMINGUEZ X, SANCHEZ H, SUAREZ M, BALDAS J, GONZALEZ M, 1989
Chemical constituents of Lippia graveolens. Planta Med 55(2):208-209.
3 PINO J, ROSADO A, BALUJA R, BORGES P, 1989
Analysis of the essential oil of Mexican oregano. Die Nahrung 33(3):289-295.
4 COMPADRE C, HUSSAIN R, LEON I, ENRIQUEZ R, 1987
Volatile constituents of Montanoa tomentosa and Lippia graveolens. Planta Med 53(5):495-496.
5 SALGUEIRO LR, CAVALEIRO C, GONCALVES MJ, PROENCA DA CUNHA A, 2003
Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Lippia graveolens from Guatemala. Planta Med 69(1):80-83.
6 DABROY LP, 1994.
Confirmación de la actividad antibacteriana de algunas especies del género Lippia contra bacterias que causan infección respiratoria. Tesis Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacia. Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala.
7 MENDOZA JC, 1995.
Confirmación de la actividad antimicrobiana de 3 especies del género Lippia. Tesis Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacia. Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala.
8 CACERES A, SALVADOR L, 1994.
Actividad antibacteriana y antifúngica de plantas de uso medicinal en Guatemala. Memoria del Congreso Científico. 10 años del CYTED. Cancún, México.
9 GARCIA GM, COTO MT, GONZALEZ CS, PAZOS L, 2002
Toxicidad aguda en ratones, del extracto acuoso de hoja y tallo de Lippia graveolens. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

Disclaimer

The information provided is for educational purposes only for the benefit of the general public and health professionals. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Since some parts of plants could be toxic, might induce side effects, or might have interactions with certain drugs, anyone intending to use them or their products must first consult with a physician or another qualified health care professional. TRAMIL has no responsibility whatsoever towards the user for any decision, action or omission made in relation to the information contained in this Pharmacopoeia.

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Lippia graveolens

Vernacular names

Costa Rica:

Costa Rica:

Geographical distribution

Botanical description

Voucher(s)

Pharmacopoeia

References

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