Botany
A shrub or small tree reaching a height of 10 meters; slightly hairy to smooth. Leaves are elliptic-ovate to oblong-ovate, 6 to 10 cm long, 3 to 6 cm wide, pointed at the tip and pointed or rounded at the base. The flowers are small, greenish or greenish white, numerous, borne on terminal inflorescences (cymes), and up to 5 cm long and 6 cm wide. Calyx is green, equally 4-toothed and 1 to 1.5 cm long. Corolla is 4 mm long and hairy inside. Stamens are white. Fruid is rounded, fleshy, dark purple, 4 to 5 mm long.

Distribution
Found in secondary forests in the Philippines, esp some Luzon provinces.

Characteristics and chemical constituents
Leaves have a rank odor when crushed.
Stem bark contains three alkaloids: premnine, ganiarine, ganikarine. Premnine and ganiarine have sympathomimetic actions.
Used as cardiotonic, antibiotic, anticoagulant, stomachic, carminative, hepatoprotective, galactagogue, laxative.

Parts used
Leaves, bark.m

Uses
Folkloric
Leaves sometimes used as a "nganga" component, substitute for Piper betle with seeds of Areca catechu.
Leaves used for variety of stomacy ailments.
Root bark used for fevers, liver complaints, rheumatism, neuralgia.
In Myanmar, roots and stem bark used as laxative, carminative and stomachic. Decoction of whole plant used for fevers, rheumatism and neuralgia. source
In Ayurveda, roots are incorporated in many formulations.

Studies
• Antibacterial: The alcoholic extract of the root bark showed good antibacterial activity against gram-positive organisms in a preliminary screening.
• Immunomodulatory Activity: The roots of both plants of C. phlomidis and Premna integrifolia are incorporated in many valued Ayurvedic formulations. In a study evaluating the roots for immunomodulatory potential, both roots showed immunoprophylactic effect with C phlomidis showing higher response to specific immune activity. In no specific immune activity, both roots showed equal response.
• The effect of Premna integrifolia Linn. (Verbenaceae) on blood glucose in streptozotocin induced type 1 and type 2 diabetic rats.
• Hypoglycemic activity: In a study of 30 hypoglycemic plants from indigenous folk medicines, Preman integrifolia wsas one of 24 samples that showed significant blood glucose lowering activity.
• Premnazole / Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Premnazole, an isoxazole alkaloid from Premna integrifolia and Gmelina arborea exhibited signnificant anti-inflammatory activity in rats, comparable to that of phenylbutazone.
• Cardiac Stimulant Activity: PS contains alkaloids and iridoid glycoside. Study suggests that the ethanol extract produced a cardiotonic effect and the aqueous extract produced a ß-adrenergic effect.
• Hepatoprotective / Cytotoxic Activity: Study showed the alcoholic extract with significant hepatoprotective activity evidenced by decrease of serum enzymes, bilirubin and lipid peroxidation, comparable to drug silymarin. It also exhibited significant in-vitro cytotoxic activity. Results showed the alcoholic extract not only as an effective hepatoprotective agent, but with also significant antitumor activity.
• Antiparasitic Activity: In a study of 18 medicinal plants in New Caledonia evaluated in vitro against several parasites, Scaevola balansae and Premna serratifolia were the most active against Leishmania donovani.


Availability
Wild-crafted.