Scientific name: Pogostemon auricularius (L.) Hassk.
Family: Lamiaceae
Synonym: Dysophylla auricularia (L.) Blume
Bengali/Vernacular name: Aripachuli.
Tribal name: Rixom payo(Marma), Paichungsa (Chakma).
English name: Tiger steam, Buntot pusa.
Description of the plant: An annual, hairy herb, 30 to 60 cm in height. Leaves 2-8 cm long, elliptic to ovate, subentire to serrate, hairy. Flowers are small, pink, borne in whorls or hairy spikes.
Plant parts used: Leaf, stem.
Ethnomedicinal uses: A paste is made with the leaves of the plant are applied on the forehead to treat headache.
The juice is extracted from leaves of the plant, after adding little amount of salt it is taken thrice a day (two tea spoons amount each time) for three days to treat diarrhoea.
The leaves of the plant are pounded, alone or poultice with lime, then applied to the abdomen to treat abdominal pain.
A fresh juice is extracted from leaves and stems of the plant are applied into the eye twice a day (one drop each time) to treat hysteria.
A paste is made with the leaves and stems of the plant, after warming it is applied on the stomach once a day for three days to treat flatulence.
Distribution: It is found all over the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
