Wild Dagga Traditional Herbal Medicine Plant

Wild Dagga (Lion's Ear, Lions Tail, Leonitus leonurus 1) for centuries has been a native herb to South Africa. 2 It is known to be a member of the Mint Family of plants. 5 Lion's Ear exported to Europe for cultivation and grown in Holland since the 1600's. 11 Herbal plant has many medicinal properties, smoked to achieve euphoria and cultivated in gardens for colorful and esthetic appearance especially in autumn. Flowers (red, orange, yellow, or white tubular flowers 3) of the plant produce a large amount nectar for gardens, abundant source for attracting pollinating birds, bees, and butterflies. Besides, the plant creates a nice border in landscaping design. 2 During summer and autumn flowering time of the Wild Dagga. 5 "Wild Dagga is often found in pastures, open grasslands, or growing within the nooks and crevices of sun-drenched rocks. 2

"Leonitus leonurus grows in warm climates like southern California..."requiring little attention or special soil and nutrients in order to thrive." 2 During the summer months Wild Dagga should be well watered but less than during the winter months. Herbal plant grows healthy when compost is added. 8 Also, plant prefers acid soil: pH between 5 and 7 normally. 13 When the herbal plant reaches full maturity extends as far as two or three feet tall and 12- 18 inches wide. 2 Wild Dagga propagate from seeds, cuttings (recommend during the end of the winter) or dividing up large clumps. 8 After cutting off a three inch piece of the stem, should be dipped immediately into rooting hormone (available in most gardening stores), and then planted into sterile soil. After planting the seeds of the Wild Dagga take ten days to germinate. The herbal plant can be grown indoors but will not grow as tall compared to being grown outside because of the limited size of the pot. 9

Leaves and roots of the Lions Tail provide a remedy and treat health concerns including poisonous snake bites and other type of bites (scorpion and spider bites 6) and stings especially within the terrain of South Africa. 2 The Zulu African people sprinkle a concoction of the plant around their houses to keep snakes away. 6 Also, the herbal plant leaves and roots are used to treat skin conditions, boils, eczema, itchiness, muscle cramps, influenza, bronchitis and cough. "It lowers Blood Pressure and eases headaches. Fusions from the leaves are used to treat asthma and viral hepatitis." 1 African tribes (Tswana, Zulu, and Xhosma) make a brew from the leaves, flowers and stems of the Wild Dagga, applied as an enema in sheep, goats, cattle and as well as humans. 6

Wild Dagga sometimes referred to as marihuanilla, when smoking the dry leaves of the plant produces a euphoric effect similar to marijuana (cannabis) because of the chemical alkaloid leonurine. 2 The leaf of the herb plant is smoked to treat epilepsy and partial paralysis. 6 "It may be addictive on the order of nicotine with regular usage." Traditionally foliage of the herb is made into medicinal tea which causes hypnotic effect. "When taking larger amounts, you can experience visionary effects when you close your eyes!!!" 5 In the United States Wild Dagga can be purchased legally and not considered a controlled substance. Recommend not to operate machinery under the influence of smoking the herbal extract. 4

Wild Dagga is available for purchase from Web-sites (www.horizonherbs.com, www.crimsonsage.com or maybe www.richters.com 12) including E-bay. Lawn and Garden search provides the nearest location to buy Wild Dagga: http://www.lgyp.com/Wild_dagga_in_.htm

When ordering Wild Dagga recommend purchasing only the flowers and avoid purchasing weighted seed pods considered useless. 7 The herb is not recommended for use during pregnancy and unknown how Wild Dagga interacts with other drugs. 10.

References:

1.) Introduction to Wild Dagga - http://www.herbal-smoke-shop-guide.com/introduction-to-wild-dagga/

2.) Lions Tail Dried Wild Dagga Petals - http://www.salvia.ca/store/wild-dagga.html

3.) Leonotis leonurus - http://www.erowid.org/plants/leonotis_leonurus/

4.) Wild Dagga Flat Dried Leaf (Klip) - http://www.shamansgarden.com/p-162-wild-dagga-flat-dried-leaf-klip.aspx

5.) Buy Wild Klip Dagga - http://www.iamshaman.com/wilddagga.htm

6.) Traditional / Folk Use for Wild Dagga (Published Reports) - http://www.daggashop.com/dagga-folk/folkuse.htm

7.) Botanicmagic.com - Wild Dagga Flowers (Lion's Tail) - http://www.botanicmagic.com/eshop/10Browse.asp?Search=Wild+Dagga

8.) Wild Dagga - http://www.ohiotraders.com/wilddagga.html

9.) Leonotis leonorus Wild Dagga - Orange or White - http://www.alchemy-works.com/leonotis_leonorus.html

10.) Wild Dagga - http://home.intekom.com/herbsorganic/pages/working%20on/wild%20dagga/wild%20dagga%20information.htm

11.) Leonotus leonurus - http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leon_leo.cfm

12.) plz help Leonotis Leonurus (wild dagga) Question - http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/herbal/msg0902015822466.html

13.) "Leonotis Leonorus, Wild Dagga... Orange Flowers" - http://www.gardenjoy.co.uk/orangeyellow/gardenshrub0034.htm