La Cach (Premna serratifolia)

Medicinal and Aromatic Coastal Shrub

Common Names: La Cach, Coastal Premna, Headache Tree, Agara, Arani, Vasa
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands

Premna serratifolia, commonly known as La Cach or Coastal Premna, is a hardy shrub or small tree known for its medicinal properties and aromatic leaves. This plant is often found growing in coastal areas and tropical forests, thriving in warm, humid environments. La Cach is widely used in traditional medicine, particularly in Southeast Asia and India, where its leaves, roots, and bark are used to treat a variety of ailments. The leaves are fragrant and are sometimes used as a spice in cooking. This versatile plant is drought-tolerant, resilient to coastal winds, and adds both medicinal and ornamental value to gardens.

Distinctive Features, Uses, and Nutritional Value

Foliage: La Cach has oval to lance-shaped, serrated leaves that are aromatic when crushed. The leaves are used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. La Cach plants flower and produce seeds year-round, but it is really cultivated for its foliage. The young leaves and tender shoots are typically cooked and eaten as greens or used to wrap meat or veggies with and grilled. The leaves, flowers, and roots of La Cach are known for their purported medicinal qualities in the Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems of medicine.

Flowers: The plant produces small, greenish-white flowers in clusters, which attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.  La Cach always gets a lot of attention during our Food Forest Tours due to it's unique appearance, beautiful deep purple berries (only harvested for seed) and eye-catching flowers.  It has a shrubby habit and makes a great ornamental hedge that always attracts a large number of butterflies and other pollinators.

Growth Habit: Premna serratifolia grows as a shrub or small tree, reaching up to 10-20 feet tall. It has a bushy, spreading habit and can be pruned to maintain a smaller size.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses

La Cach is highly valued in traditional medicine. The leaves, roots, and bark are used to treat fever, headaches, respiratory issues, and digestive disorders. It is also known to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it a common remedy for wounds and infections. In addition to its medicinal uses, the aromatic leaves can be used as a spice in cooking, particularly in Southeast Asian cuisine. The leaves are sometimes added to soups or stews for their fragrance and flavor.