Ballota africana flowers

The Afrikaans name of this plant, kattekruie (cat herb), is derived from a similar European plant, Nepeta cataria, which has almost the same common name in Holland. It may grow to over a metre in height.

The leaves, fresh or dried, are used to make a tea for treating ailments ranging from coughs, colic, typhoid fever to hysteria! (See www.tradeavail.com.)