Lantana camara

 

Botanical Name:- Lantana camara

Common Name:- Red Sage

Lantana camara is a perennial flowering plant found in tropical areas.

The Lantana plant is known for its clustered flowering form with an aromatic scent. Lantana flowers display bright tinges of yellow, red, pink and orange. It is a very adaptable species, which can inhabit a wide variety of ecosystems.

This plant does grow quickly and aggressively so plan its location accordingly. The showy flowers appear from mid-summer until the first frost and come in a wide range of colour from pink, white, yellow, orange, red and purple or mixed colours.

Uses and Benefits:

1)   1. Medicinal properties of the leaves:

Lantana Camara has amazing health benefits. Its leaves are used for treating malaria, chickenpox, asthma, ulcer, swelling, eczema, tumour, high blood pressure, bilious fever, sores, measles, fevers, colds and high blood pressure.

2)   2.  A source of essential oil:

 Lantana essential oil is extracted from the leaves through steam distillation method. The extract has a pale yellow colour and its aroma exhibits woody undertone and scent like that of basil. Oil is used externally for treating skin irritation, leprosy, and scabies. It is also an antiseptic for wounds.

3)    3.   Ayurveda:

Lantana camara, which belongs to the Verbenaceae family has been an important coniferous plant in ayurvedic and indigenous medicinal systems. The different parts of plant extract have been used for various illnesses.