Coleus amboinicus
Dublin Core
Title
Coleus amboinicus
Subject
Taxonomy
Phylum : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Lamiales
Family : Lamiaceae
Genus : Coleus
Species : Coleus amboinicus
Common Name
Mexican Mint, Spanish Thyme, Cuban Oregano, Indian Borage
Phylum : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Lamiales
Family : Lamiaceae
Genus : Coleus
Species : Coleus amboinicus
Common Name
Mexican Mint, Spanish Thyme, Cuban Oregano, Indian Borage
Description
Characteristics
It is a perennial herb with a life cycle of 3 – 10 years, fleshy and highly aromatic. It has a tendency to climb or creep, and can reach up to 1 m tall.
Morphology
Leaves
Leaves simple, thick and fleshy, light green with opposite leaf arrangement (2.5 – 3 cm long, 2.5 – 3 cm wide). Leaves are broadly ovate or triangular in shape (truncate leaf base and a broadly acute apex). Leaf margin is crenate. Lower surface contains numerous glandular hairs, giving a frosty appearance.
Stem
Stems are tomentose (densely covered with short, soft hairs).
Flower
10 – 20 flowers are arranged in a verticil inflorescence (10 – 20 cm long). The flowers encircle the floral stalk at several points along the floral stalk, with points closer together at the tip than at the base. Flower has bell shaped calyx.
Plant part used
Leaves
Traditional Uses
List of Country
The native range of this species is Kenya to S. Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India.
Red List Category
Not Evaluated (NE)
It is a perennial herb with a life cycle of 3 – 10 years, fleshy and highly aromatic. It has a tendency to climb or creep, and can reach up to 1 m tall.
Morphology
Leaves
Leaves simple, thick and fleshy, light green with opposite leaf arrangement (2.5 – 3 cm long, 2.5 – 3 cm wide). Leaves are broadly ovate or triangular in shape (truncate leaf base and a broadly acute apex). Leaf margin is crenate. Lower surface contains numerous glandular hairs, giving a frosty appearance.
Stem
Stems are tomentose (densely covered with short, soft hairs).
Flower
10 – 20 flowers are arranged in a verticil inflorescence (10 – 20 cm long). The flowers encircle the floral stalk at several points along the floral stalk, with points closer together at the tip than at the base. Flower has bell shaped calyx.
Plant part used
Leaves
Traditional Uses
- Herb and Spice : The leaves are used to add flavor to meat and bean dishes, especially in Caribbean cuisine. The flavor is described as being a combination of thyme and oregano.
- The leaves of the plant are often eaten raw or used as flavoring agents, or incorporated as ingredients in the preparation of traditional food.
- The plant is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation or swelling
- n Indonesia, Philippines and India, the plant is used as a treatment for coughing. Indonesian women that have given birth sometimes drink soups made with the leaves to promote lactation.
- The efficacy of the leaves of Coleus amboinicus (CAL) in the management of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).
- Properties including antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antitumor, wound healing, anti-epileptic, larvicidal, antioxidant and analgesic activities.
List of Country
The native range of this species is Kenya to S. Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India.
Red List Category
Not Evaluated (NE)
Source
Publisher
Ain Nazhirah Binti Abdullah
Contributor
Ain Nazhirah Binti Abdullah
Language
English
Collection
Citation
“Coleus amboinicus,” BIDARA, accessed February 4, 2026, https://bidara.uthm.edu.my/items/show/961.