Lion’s tail is native to South Africa.  It is known for its medicinal and mild psychoactive properties. Traditionally, it has been used to treat tuberculosis, jaundice, high blood pressure, and diabetes, and as a compress to treat snake bites.

South Africans also use the fresh juice of the stem as an infusion to purify the blood.

The dried leaves and flowers have a mild calming effect when smoked. It is considered far less potent than Cannabis and is not classified as a hallucinogenic, but it has been used as a tobacco substitute.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), it is said, among its other attributes, to Calm Shen (the Spirit), Move Qi, and stop itching. In the West, it is considered to have relaxant, antioxidant, cardioprotective, and hypoglycemic properties.

Do not confuse lion’s tail with motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca or L. artemisia), another plant in the family Leonurus, that is also sometimes commonly called lion’s tail.

Find out more about Lion’s Tail and its healing properties.