Vitex negundo / Verbenaceae / Lagundi
The leaf that
earned a license.
A wild roadside herb of the Philippine archipelago — and one of the very few traditional plants to cross into official medical recognition.
The Premise
Lagundi grows wild across the archipelago — from coastal lowlands to highland barangays — and Filipino families have leaned on it for generations to ease cough, fever, and tired lungs. What sets it apart from almost every other folk remedy is simple and rare: the science caught up, and the state signed off.
-
5
leaflets per stem —
the five-leaved chaste tree -
PNF
listed in the Philippine
National Formulary -
3×
daily cup of tea
while symptoms persist
What is
lagundi?
Lagundi (Vitex negundo) — also called the five-leaved chaste tree — is one of the most important medicinal plants in the Philippines. It grows wild from coastal lowlands to highland barangays, and has been used in traditional Filipino medicine for generations to treat respiratory ailments, fever, and skin conditions.
What makes lagundi exceptional among traditional herbal plants is that it has crossed into official medical recognition: the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) includes lagundi in its list of approved herbal medicines and in the Philippine National Formulary — a status almost no other folk remedy holds.
What it
is used for
An affordable, locally available alternative with documented efficacy — where pharmaceuticals carry their own costs and side effects.
-
i
Cough
Bronchial complaints of every kind — productive, dry, and the cough that rides in with an upper respiratory infection.
-
ii
Asthma
Bronchospasm relief — the airway-opening action that earned lagundi its place in formal Philippine medicine.
-
iii
Fever
Taken as a tea to encourage sweating and bring a temperature down — the second great traditional use.
What the
research says
The clinical evidence for lagundi in respiratory conditions is stronger than for almost any other Philippine herbal medicine. Studies under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) have demonstrated bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory activity.
The mechanism: flavonoids and iridoid glycosides in the leaves inhibit inflammatory pathways — specifically the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway implicated in both inflammation and bronchospasm. That dual action is why one herb can calm an inflamed airway and open it at the same time.
- ActiveFlavonoids
- ActiveIridoid glycosides
- TargetCOX pathway
- ActionBronchodilator
- ActionAnti-inflammatory
- Validated byDOST · PITAHC
How to brew
lagundi tea
The infusion
- Water
- 2 cups
- Dried leaves
- 1 tbsp
- or Fresh leaves
- 2–3, bruised
- Simmer
- 10 min
- Adult dose
- 3× daily
- Child dose
- ½ tbsp, 2× daily
A small amount of honey may be added without affecting efficacy.
- 1
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- 2
Add 1 tbsp dried lagundi leaves — or 2–3 fresh leaves, bruised to release the oils.
- 3
Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- 4
Strain, let cool slightly, and drink three times daily while symptoms persist.
Standardised commercial syrups with calibrated dosing are available where a measured dose matters most — especially for children.
Cautions &
interactions
-
Avoid
Pregnancy. Animal studies suggest possible uterotonic effects; safety in human pregnancy isn't established.
-
Consult
Breastfeeding. Exercise caution and speak with a healthcare provider before use.
-
Not a substitute
Lagundi does not replace antibiotics in a bacterial respiratory infection.
-
Seek care
Fever above 39 °C, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or symptoms beyond five days — see a clinician.
Frequently
asked
Is lagundi safe for children?
Yes, with appropriate dosing. DOH-approved lagundi syrup formulations are designed for paediatric use, with guidelines by body weight. For home preparations from dried leaves, halve the adult dose — and consult a pharmacist or doctor if the child is under 2 or symptoms are severe.
Is it the same as five-leaved chaste tree?
Yes — "five-leaved chaste tree" is the common English name for Vitex negundo, which Filipinos call lagundi. "Five-leaved" refers to the palmate arrangement of five leaflets on each stem. "Chaste tree" comes from a historical European belief that the plant suppressed libido — a folk idea not supported by modern pharmacology.
Where can I buy lagundi in the Philippines?
Dried leaves, standardised syrup, and tablets are available at most Philippine pharmacies and health-food stores. For certified organic dried lagundi and other Philippine herbal plants, Agriko ships nationwide. Read more in our guide to Filipino herbal remedies.
From the wild — certified organic
Grown in the Philippines.
Delivered to your door.
