Vitex trifolia L.

Legundi (Vitex trifolia) is an upright shrub 1-4 meters tall of the Lamiaceae family, widely found in tropical regions and commonly planted as a yard hedge in Indonesia. Several tribes in the archipelago have traditionally used its leaves as an antiasthma jamu. Legundi is also believed to be diuretic and help relieve cough.

This plant grows wild in teak forests, secondary forests, shrubland. Prefers barren, hot and sandy places. Grows at elevations of 1,100 m above sea level. Easily grows in various soil types.

• Stem round wood, hairy twigs, dirty white in color.
• Leaves compound, trifoliate, inverted egg-shaped, tapering tip and base, smooth edges, pinnate, green in color, underside hairy in white.
• Flowers compound panicle-shaped, light purple, emerging from the stalk tip.
• Fruit round, hard-walled.

Propagated vegetatively (mature stem cuttings) and generatively (seed).

Essential oils (Sesquiterpene, Terpenoid, Ester compounds, Vitrisin, Flavone glycosides, Non-flavonoid friedelin, β-sitosterol, Glucoside and Hydrocarbon compounds), Camphene, L-α-pinene, Silexicarpin, Casticin, Terpenyl acetate, Luteolin-7-glucoside flavopurposid, Dihydroxy, Benzoic acid.

Analgesic, diuretic, worm remedy, stimulates sweating, asthma remedy, cough and uterine health.

• Pick fresh leaves then wash thoroughly with running water and drain.
• Dry the leaves with an oven at 50°C.
• Once dry, grind with a blender into powder.
• Pack and store in a clean, airtight container/plastic.

Langgundi (Minang), Gandasari (Palembang), Lagondi (Sunda), Sangari (Bima), Laura (Makassar) and Lawarani (Bugis).