ABSTRACT
The family Verbenaceae consists of approximately 100 genera and 2600 species of herbs, climbers, shrubs, and trees producing mainly diterpenes, iridoids, and flavonoids. In the field, Verbenaceae are recognized by their young stems which are quadrangular; the leaves which are compound, exstipulate, and decussate; and by terminal panicles of pinkish or blue bilabiate flowers or berries. In Burma, the bark is used to treat skin diseases. The Malays use the leaves to heal sores and to assuage stomachaches, and call the plant tampang besi. Clerodendrum deflexum Wall. is a shrub that grows to a height of 3m in lowland areas and mountain forests up to 3000m in altitude in Sumatra and Malaysia. In Indonesia, the juice squeezed from the fresh leaves and fruits is instilled into the ears to assuage earaches. The fruits are used to calm itchiness. The leaves and roots are boiled in water to make a liquid which is applied externally to mitigate rheumatic pains.
