Lippia turbinata Griseb

Abstract

Lippia turbinata Griseb. is a native aromatic shrub commonly known as "poleo", "té del país?, "té criollo" or "poleo fno". It is widely used in traditional medicine of Northern and central Argentina. Infusions of aerial parts are used as diuretic, tonic, emmenagogue, for dysmenorrhea, as a regulator of the menstrual cycle and as abortifacient. Its essential oil shows remarkable variability in chemical composition. Very little research has been conducted on its non-volatile components. Eight oleanane-type triterpenes were identifed in a methanol-methylene chloride extract of "poleo". There are also relatively few studies on the biological activity of this herb. Antifungal, antimicrobial, nematocidal and antiviral activities against the Junin-virus have been reported for the essential oil. Piperitenone oxide, one of the main components in several collections, has been evaluated in relation to the following biological activities: cardiovascular, hypotensive, bradycardic, insecticidal, trypanocidal, schistosomicidal, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, analgesic and larvicidal. Infusions are used to stimulate uterine motility and therefore should not be consumed by pregnant women. In order to better assess its pharmacological utility, much additional research is needed on the non-volatile metabolites and biological properties of this species.