Common Names: Bush Tea, Gambian Tea Bush, Sweetleaf, Savannah Tea
Local Names: Efinrin-gogoro, Efinrin-foromaba (Yoruba, Nigeria),Tchayo (Fon, Benin), Sauvane (French West Africa), Bunsurun fadama, godon kada (Hausa, Nigeria).
Species ID: NMP-098 | wfo-0000229007

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Lamiales

Family: Verbenaceae

Genus: Lippia

Species: L. multiflora

Synonyms: Lippia aschersonii Schauer, Lippia dulcis var. multiflora Kuntze, Lippia plicata Baker, Lippia adoensis Hochst.

Lippia multiflora, commonly known as Bush Tea, is an aromatic, evergreen shrub or small tree native to West Africa, growing up to 3–4 m tall. Its key features include:

·       Habit: Erect shrub or small tree, often multi-stemmed, with a dense canopy.

·       Stem: Slender, woody, greyish-brown, with short pubescence.

·       Leaves: Opposite, elliptical to lanceolate, 5–12 cm long, 2–5 cm wide, fragrant when crushed, with serrated margins and a rough texture.

·       Flowers: Small, white to pale lavender, 3–5 mm long, in elongated, terminal or axillary clusters (panicles); corolla tubular with five lobes (Burkill, 2000).

·       Fruit: Small, fleshy drupes, 2–4 mm diameter, green turning dark purple when ripe, containing one seed.

Its aromatic leaves and clustered flowers make it a distinctive member of the Verbenaceae family (Neuwinger, 2000).

Lippia multiflora is widely distributed across tropical Africa, including:

·       West Africa: Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin.

·       Central and East Africa: Cameroon, Sudan, Uganda, Angola.

It thrives in savannahs, forest edges, and disturbed areas at elevations of 200–1,500 m, preferring well-drained, sandy to loamy soils (pH 5.5–7.0) and full sunlight (Burkill, 2000).

Lippia multiflora, commonly known as bush tea, is a perennial aromatic plant native to tropical Africa, widely recognized for its diverse medicinal properties. Traditionally, it has been used to treat ailments such as bronchial inflammation, malaria fever, conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal disturbances, enteritis, coughs, and colds. The plant exhibits antihypertensive and diuretic properties, making it beneficial for managing high blood pressure and promoting diuresis. Additionally, Lippia multiflora has demonstrated sedative and mild tranquilizing effects, supporting its traditional use in relieving stress and enhancing sleep. Phytochemical analyses have identified essential oils rich in compounds such as linalool, camphor, terpineol, thymol, and other monoterpenes, which contribute to its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. These properties validate the traditional applications of Lippia multiflora and highlight its potential for further pharmacological research.

·       Antipyretic: Leaf infusions in Ghana treat fevers. Abena et al. (2003) found essential oil (8 ml/kg) reduced yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats by 1.2°C, linked to monoterpenes like geranial.

·       Anti-inflammatory/Analgesic: Used in Nigeria for stomach aches and muscle pain. Abena et al. (2003) reported essential oil (4 ml/kg) reduced acetic acid-induced writhing in mice by 50%, due to neral and geranial.

·       Hypotensive: Leaf decoctions in Burkina Faso lower blood pressure. Taoubi et al. (1997) showed verbascoside (20 mg/kg) decreased arterial pressure in rats by 30%, suggesting vasodilatory effects.

·       Antimicrobial: Used in Benin for infections. Olugbade et al. (2017) confirmed essential oil (MIC 25 μg/ml) inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

·       Anxiolytic/Sedative: Tea in Togo aids sleep. Abena et al. (2001) found crude extract (200 mg/kg) increased pentobarbital sleep time in rats by 40%, indicating CNS depression.

·       Antiplasmodial: Used in Mali for malaria. Valentin et al. (1995) reported essential oil inhibited Plasmodium falciparum (IC₅₀ 1/21,000 dilution) in vitro.

Phytochemicals include essential oils (geranial 22%, neral 14%), phenylethanoids (verbascoside), and flavonoids, supporting its broad therapeutic uses (Olugbade et al., 2017).

⚠  Toxicity Profile: No acute toxicity observed in rats at 2,000 mg/kg of extract, but high doses (>1,000 mg/kg) may cause mild sedation or gastrointestinal irritation due to volatile oils. Skin contact with leaves may irritate sensitive individuals (Abena et al., 2001).

·       Nutritional: Young leaves and inflorescences eaten as a vegetable in Sierra Leone, rich in antioxidants (Neuwinger, 2000).

·       Cultural: Used in Ghanaian rituals for purification (Burkill, 2000).

·       Economic: Leaves harvested for herbal tea trade in West Africa (Olugbade et al., 2017).

• Abena, A. A., Diatewa, M., Gakosso, G., Gbeassor, M., Hondi-Assah, T., & Ouamba, J. M. (2003). Analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil of Lippia multiflora. Fitoterapia, 74(3), 231–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00029-7

• Abena, A. A., Atipo-Ebata, J. K., Hondi, A. T., & Diatewa, M. (2001). Psychopharmacological properties of crude extract and essential oil of Lippia multiflora. L’Encéphale, 27(4), 360–364. PMID: 11686058

• Burkill, H. M. (2000). The useful plants of West Tropical Africa (Vol. 5). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

• Neuwinger, H. D. (2000). African traditional medicine: A dictionary of plant use and applications. Medpharm Scientific Publishers.

• Olugbade, T. A., Ojo, O. A., & Oladipo, O. O. (2017). Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of Lippia multiflora Moldenke leaves. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 5(4), 148–152.

• Taoubis, K., Fauvel, M. T., Gleye, J., Moulis, C., & Fouraste, I. (1997). Phenylpropanoid glycosides from Lantana camara and Lippia multiflora. Planta Medica, 63(02), 192-193. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957647

• Valentin, A., Pelissier, Y., Benoit, F., Marion, C., Kone, D., Mallie, M., Bastide, J. M., & Bessière, J. M. (1995). Composition and antimalarial activity in vitro of volatile components of Lippia multiflora. Phytochemistry, 40(5), 1439–1442. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00522-9

·       Tropical Plants Database - Lippia multiflora

·       West African Plants - Lippia multiflora

• β-Terpinene
• 1-Terpineol

Oladimeji, F. A., Orafidiya, O. O., Ogunniyi, T. A. B., & Adewunmi, T. A. (2000). Pediculocidal and scabicidal properties of Lippia multiflora essential oil. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 72(1-2), 305-311.