Essential oil of Lippia multiflora Moldenke: A review.

ABSTRACT

Lippia multiflora Moldenke is a tropical to subtropical herbaceous aromatic plant widely distributed throughout tropical Africa, South and Central American countries. It has been traditionally used in various communities for different purposes ranging from therapeutic febrifuge in form of tea and fumigants to non-therapeutic drink for relaxation and sedation, and as well as condiments. Of most economic and scientific importance is the essential oil in the aerial part of the plant, the “lippia oil”. The therapeutic properties of the plant are largely attributed by researchers to the oil. This review is aimed at collating all the scientific data available on the oil and drawing attention to its chemical components, pharmacological activities and resources for industrial exploration and exploitation.