Aztec Sweet Herb

Phyla scaberrima syn lippia dulcis

HISTORY

Aztec Sweet herb is more often known as Lippia dulcis, but Harold Moldenke, who wrote the natural monograph of Verbenaceae,(Lippia dulcis is a member of this family) feels the correct name should be Phylla scaberrima.

In Belize, located in the heart of Central America, this plant is a fave folk remedy for bronchitis and dry, hacking coughs.
The fresh plant material is boiled, and the patient holds his head over the pot of steaming herb. The warm mixture is then strained and sipped slowly.
For toothaches, the flowers are chewed or placed directly on the gum.

The Greek for tribe (phylla) means "compound flower heads", and in Latin, scaberrima means "most rough".

NAMES

Honey Herb
Bushy Lippia
Yierba dulce
yierba buena
neuctixihuitl
Tzonpelic xihuitl
orozuz
orozul
salvia santa
corronchoco.

CONSTITUENTS

Hernandulcin
Leaves contain bispolane sesquiterpene, hernandulcin, as 0.0004% of dried herb.
Essential oil is up to 53 % camphor and 16% camphene, providing the odour.

Plants from Cuba have 11% beta carotene and 9% 6 -methyl- 5- hepten- 2- one but only a trace of camphor.

USES

chronic bronchitis
expectorant
dry, hacking cough
colds
asthma
colic
Lippiol
respiratory sedative
inhibitory effects on enterobacteria
curative
alterative
inducing menstruation
abortefascient
non-sugar sweetener (Stevia)
sweetening candies
sweet leaves in fruit salad

Contra-Indications

Medicines from this herb, or as fresh herbs, Aztec Sweet Herb perhaps should not be used by pregnant mothers.
People in the Caribbean islands, Central and South American use this herb to induce menstruation.
In contemporary folk medicine of southern Mexico, Aztec Sweet Herb is also used as an aid to abortion.
The herb is not safe for pregnant as well as lactating mothers.

Having a high camphor content, Aztec Sweet Herb is not for childrens' use.
Camphor is toxic to small children and causes vomiting, central nervous system depression, and coma; is an abortifascient, possibly from the camphor.
It also contains camphene, which is particularly toxic for small children and can induce vomiting and nausea. In extreme cases, it may lead to the depression and cause coma.
Not recommended, does not have GRAS status.