Habitat.—It is carefully cultivated throughout the Philippines.
Anisomeles ovata, R. Br. (Phlomis alba, Blanco.)
Nom. Vulg.—Taligharap, Tag.; Jerusalem Sage, Eng.
Uses.—The infusion of the leaves is bitter and aromatic and is used in catarrhal inflammations of the stomach and intestines and in intermittent fevers. Used as a vapor-bath it produces abundant diaphoresis, and the infusion given internally has a like effect. The leaves, when distilled, yield an oil which is used as an external application in rheumatism.
Botanical Description.—A plant 6° or more high. Root fibrous, trunk and branches enlarged at the joints. Leaves opposite, ovate, obtusely serrate, soft and downy. Flowers pink, verticillate, in opposite clusters around the stem, with several linear and hairy involucres at the base of each cluster. Calyx, 5 sharp teeth. Corolla, 2-lipped; the lower much larger, downy within, 3-lobed, the middle lobe larger and broader, notched at the extremity, and its borders turned downward; the other 2 lateral lobes very small, narrow; the upper lip much shorter and smaller, entire, enveloping the stamens. Stamens didynamous. Style about the same length as the stamens. Stigma bifid. Fruit, 4 small seeds.
Habitat.—Very common on the fields of Manila Province.
Leucas aspera, Spreng. (Phlomis Zeylanica, Blanco.)
Nom. Vulg.—Pansipansi, Solasolasian, Karukansoli, Tag.; Pansipansi, Paypaysi, Vis.
Uses.—The bruised leaves are applied to the bites of serpents or poisonous insects. In India they are similarly used. The juice of the leaves is very useful in the treatment of certain skin diseases, especially psoriasis.