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Wild Dagga at a Glance
An indigenous southern African botanical with a long history of traditional use, Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonurus) is recognised for its distinctive leaves, striking orange flowers and place within southern African botanical traditions.
Botanical
Wild Dagga
Leonotis leonurus
Also Known As
Lion’s Tail
Carefully prepared for traditional botanical use.
Plant Part
Dried Leaves
Carefully dried and prepared as a single botanical.
Preparation
Herbal Infusion
Traditionally prepared by steeping the dried leaves in hot water.
Flavour
Earthy & Herbaceous
A distinctive naturally bitter botanical character.
Southern African Botanical
20 g
Carefully packed by Flowers from my Meadow for your home botanical apothecary.
Discover Wild Dagga
Curious about Wild Dagga? Discover what makes this distinctive southern African botanical different, how the dried leaves can be enjoyed and a few useful things to know before preparing your first cup.
What Makes Wild Dagga Distinctive?
Wild Dagga is one of southern Africa’s most recognisable indigenous botanicals, known for its tall growth, aromatic foliage and striking whorls of orange tubular flowers.
Is It Really a Dagga Plant?
Despite its common name, Wild Dagga is not cannabis. Wild Dagga is Leonotis leonurus, a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, and is botanically distinct from Cannabis sativa.
Can I Brew the Dried Leaves?
Yes. The dried leaves can be prepared with hot water as a traditional herbal infusion, often referred to simply as Wild Dagga tea.
What Is the Cup Like?
The prepared infusion has an earthy, herbaceous character with a naturally bitter edge — quite different from a delicate or naturally sweet herbal tea.
Can I Add Anything to It?
Yes. If you find the natural bitterness too pronounced, the prepared infusion can be enjoyed with a little honey or fresh lemon according to taste.
Does It Contain Caffeine?
No. Wild Dagga contains no traditional tea leaves and the prepared herbal infusion is naturally caffeine-free.
Wild Dagga Botanical Profile
Meet the distinctive southern African plant behind Wild Dagga and discover the botanical characteristics that define Leonotis leonurus.
Common Name:
Wild Dagga
Scientific Name:
Leonotis leonurus
Plant Family:
Lamiaceae
Plant Type:
Perennial, soft-woody shrub
Part Used:
Dried aerial parts, predominantly leaves and smaller stems
Botanical Character:
Wild Dagga is a distinctive upright shrub with aromatic foliage, square stems and striking rounded whorls of tubular flowers.
Flavour Profile:
Earthy, herbaceous and naturally bitter.
Flowers:
Most commonly vivid orange, with tubular flowers arranged in distinctive rounded clusters around the stems.
Leaves:
Narrow, aromatic leaves with toothed margins and softly textured undersides.
Traditional Context:
Wild Dagga has a long history within southern African botanical traditions, where different parts of Leonotis leonurus have traditionally been prepared in a variety of ways.
Preparation Style:
The dried botanical material can be prepared in hot water as a traditional herbal infusion.
Naturally Caffeine-Free:
Wild Dagga contains no traditional tea leaves and is naturally free from caffeine.
BOTANICAL PREPARATION
How to Prepare Wild Dagga Tea
Wild Dagga leaves are prepared as a simple herbal infusion. Because the dried leaves and smaller stems are more delicate than bark or roots, they are steeped in freshly boiled water rather than simmered.
STEP 1
Measure the Wild Dagga
Add 1–2 teaspoons of dried Wild Dagga for each cup you would like to prepare.
STEP 2
Add Freshly Boiled Water
Place the measured Wild Dagga in your cup or teapot and pour freshly boiled water over it.
STEP 3
Allow to Steep
Cover and allow the infusion to steep for 10–15 minutes.
STEP 4
Strain & Serve
Strain the dried botanical material from the infusion and pour into your cup.
Unlike tougher botanical materials such as bark and roots, dried Wild Dagga leaves are prepared by steeping them in hot water to create a traditional herbal infusion.
THE MEADOW KITCHEN
Simple Ways to Explore Wild Dagga
Wild Dagga has a distinctive earthy, herbaceous and naturally bitter character. Enjoy it simply as an infusion or combine it with complementary botanicals, citrus and honey to create different botanical tea rituals.
The Simple Wild Dagga Cup
Start simply and discover the naturally robust, herbaceous character of Wild Dagga on its own.
Ingredients
- 1–2 teaspoons dried Wild Dagga
- 1 cup freshly boiled water
Method
Pour freshly boiled water over the Wild Dagga, cover and steep for 10–15 minutes. Strain before serving.
Wild Dagga, Rooibos & Orange
Earthy rooibos and bright citrus create a rounded botanical blend while allowing Wild Dagga's distinctive character to remain present.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried Wild Dagga
- 1 teaspoon loose-leaf rooibos
- A small piece of dried orange peel
- 1 cup freshly boiled water
Method
Combine the botanicals, pour over freshly boiled water, cover and steep for 10–15 minutes. Strain before serving.
Wild Dagga, Mint & Lemon
Aromatic mint and fresh citrus bring brightness to the naturally earthy character of Wild Dagga.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried Wild Dagga
- 1 teaspoon dried peppermint
- Fresh lemon
- 1 cup freshly boiled water
Method
Combine the Wild Dagga and peppermint, pour over freshly boiled water and steep covered for 10–15 minutes. Strain and finish with a small squeeze of fresh lemon.
Wild Dagga, Honey & Ginger
A warming botanical cup pairing the robust character of Wild Dagga with aromatic ginger and gentle sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried Wild Dagga
- 2–3 thin slices fresh ginger
- 1 cup freshly boiled water
- Honey, to taste
Method
Combine the Wild Dagga and ginger, pour over freshly boiled water and steep covered for 10–15 minutes. Strain, allow to cool slightly and add honey to taste.
Begin with a simple Wild Dagga infusion, then experiment with complementary botanicals to discover the combinations you enjoy.
GOOD TO KNOW
Questions About Wilde Dagga
From its unusual name to preparing your first cup, here are answers to some of the questions you may have about Wild Dagga.
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Wild Dagga is the common name for Leonotis leonurus, a distinctive southern African botanical belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is recognised by its aromatic foliage and striking whorls of tubular orange flowers.
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No. Despite the word “dagga” in its common name, Leonotis leonurus is botanically distinct from cannabis. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, while cannabis belongs to the Cannabaceae family.
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Yes. Dried Wild Dagga can be steeped in freshly boiled water to prepare a herbal infusion commonly referred to as Wild Dagga tea.
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Add 1–2 teaspoons of dried Wild Dagga per cup, pour over freshly boiled water, cover and steep for approximately 10–15 minutes. Strain the botanical material before serving.
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Wild Dagga has a distinctive earthy, herbaceous and naturally bitter flavour. Honey, lemon, mint, rooibos or other complementary botanicals can be added according to taste.
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No. Wild Dagga is not made from traditional tea leaves and is naturally caffeine-free.
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Dried Wild Dagga preparations may use aerial parts of the plant. Our dried botanical consists predominantly of dried leaves with smaller stem material.
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Leonotis leonurus is indigenous to southern Africa and is particularly associated with the landscapes of South Africa, where it grows as a tall perennial shrub.
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Keep the dried botanical sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture to help preserve its natural character.
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Yes. Its robust, bitter character can be combined with other botanicals according to taste. Rooibos, peppermint, citrus peel, ginger and honey are some simple additions to explore.
Still have a question?
We’re always happy to help. If there’s something you’d like to know about Wild Dagga, its preparation or how to use it, get in touch with us.
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Carefully packed by Flowers from my Meadow in South Africa.
From our meadow to your home, with care.
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