Pansi-pansi
Leucas aspera · Thumbai
- Names in the book
- Pansipansi, Solasolasian, Karukansoli, Tag.; Pansipansi, Paypaysi, Vis.
- Colours
- flowerwhite
- Native range
- South and Southeast Asia
- Family
- Lamiaceae, filed in the book under Labiatæ
- Printed as
- Leucas aspera, Spreng. (Phlomis Zeylanica, Blanco.)
- Sources
- Page 199 on Project Gutenberg · Wikipedia
The plant today
Leucas aspera is a plant species within the genus Leucas and the family Lamiaceae. Although the species has many different common names depending on the region in which it is located, it is most commonly known as Thumbai or Thumba. Found throughout India, it is known for its various uses in the fields of medicine and agriculture.
Excerpt from “Leucas aspera” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Recorded in the Philippines
GBIF holds 16 records of this plant from the Philippines. The ones with map coordinates fall in 6 provinces: Bataan (2), Batanes (1), Bulacan (1), La Union (1), Metropolitan Manila (1), Antique (1).
Counts from GBIF occurrence records, October 2026. They include planted trees and garden plants, and a province with no records may only lack collectors.
What the 1901 book says
A historical record, quoted as printed. Doses and remedies here are not medical advice.
Uses
The bruised leaves are applied to the bites of serpents or poisonous insects. In India they are similarly used. The juice of the leaves is very useful in the treatment of certain skin diseases, especially psoriasis.
Botanical description
A plant about 2° high, very well known to the natives. Leaves sessile, lanceolate, finely serrate and covered with short hairs. Flowers terminal, white, verticillate, with the characteristics of the mint family.
Recent research
The most cited papers since 2022 that name this plant in the title, pulled from Europe PMC in October 2026. Titles are the authors' own and the findings have not been reviewed here.
- Integrated computational approach toward discovery of multi-targeted natural products from Thumbai (Leucas aspera) for attuning NKT cells
- Understanding biochemical defense and phytoremediation potential of Leucas aspera in crude oil polluted soil
- Phytochemical Analysis, Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy of Leucas aspera Leaf Extracts