🌿 Bark of Vitex madiensis (Leung) – Tradition & Well-being 🔹 Scientific name: Vitex madiensis Oliv. (family Lamiaceae / Verbenaceae) 🔹 Vernacular name: Leung (Wolof, Senegal) 🔹 Origin: West Africa (Senegal, Mali, Casamance) ✨ Description: The bark of Vitex madiensis, called Leung, is a traditional African plant recognized for its purifying and toning virtues. It has been used for generations in traditional African medicine for its scientifically documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This bark can be used in decoction, poultice, bath, or gentle inhalation for well-being, purification, and external skin care. 🌿 Main virtues: * General well-being and toning: restores vitality and energy, traditionally used to support the body. * Purification and harmonization: can purify the air and create a soothing atmosphere. * Respiratory support: in gentle inhalation, contributes to the light comfort of the respiratory tract. * Anti-inflammatory and soothing: helps calm redness, irritations, and skin inflammations. * External skin care: astringent and toning properties, promoting healthy skin. 💧 Traditional uses: * External decoction: boil pieces of bark in water for 10-15 minutes, strain, and use to wash the skin or in a bath. * Inhalation/steam: breathe the steam to purify the air and promote respiratory comfort. * Poultices: mix the powd