Indian borage, Country Borage, French Thyme, Indian Mint, Mexican Mint, Cuban Oregano, Broad Leaf Thyme, Spanish Thyme
Coleus amboinicus, synonym Plectranthus amboinicus is a semi-succulent perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. Native to parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India, although it is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in the tropics where it is used as a spice and ornamental plant. The species epithet, amboinicus may refer to Ambon Island, in Indonesia, where it was apparently encountered and described by João de Loureiro.
Culinary Uses
Has a pungent oregano like flavor because they both share the ingredient Carvacrol a naturally occurring phenol found in its essential oils.
Both the fresh and dried leaves are excellent to use in Italian style dishes like Carbonara or Tomato sauces as a replacement for Sage and Oregano as Indian Borage grows more easily here in the tropics than these mediterranean herbs.
Some of our beverage clients use it for infusion in spirits.
Medicinal Uses
Plectranthus amboinicus commonly used in folk medicine for the treatment of cough, fever, sore throats has some evidence to support its analgesic and antiinflammatory activities.
Growing Conditions
Full Sun, sandy soil, regular re propagation which is easily done from stem cuttings