Munnai is Premna serratifolia, a shrub or small tree of coasts, backwaters and village hedges whose crushed leaves have a strong smell. In Kerala and much of South India its root is used as agnimantha, one of the dashamula roots, while North Indian practice often uses Clerodendrum phlomidis. It grows from India and Sri Lanka across tropical Asia to the Pacific. Older books call it Premna integrifolia or Premna obtusifolia.
- Botanical name
- Premna serratifolia L.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Tamil
- Munnai
- Hindi
- Agnimanth
- Sanskrit
- Agnimantha
- Parts used
- Root in lists, Leaves
- Habit
- Coastal and village shrub-tree; agnimantha in Kerala practice
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Munnai
It is a shrub or small tree, often three to eight metres, sometimes with short spines on older stems.
The leaves are opposite, oval to broadly elliptic, and smell strongly when crushed.
Small, greenish-white flowers grow in flat-topped clusters at the branch tips.
The fruits are small, round drupes that turn purple-black.
Clerodendrum phlomidis has larger, tubular white flowers with long stamens.
Traditional use of Munnai
Ayurveda
Agnimantha root, from this plant in Kerala tradition, is used in dashamula decoctions and oils.
Kerala Ayurvedic practice
Kitchen
In parts of South-east Asia and the Pacific, young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.
South-east Asian and Pacific food practice
Modern notes on Munnai
Studies on extracts are mostly laboratory and animal work.
Its tolerance of salt makes it common at the edges of mangroves and backwaters.
Regional differences in which plant is called agnimantha affect the content of dashamula products.
The genus name comes from the Greek for tree stump, after the gnarled trunks of older plants.
Munnai safety
Use agnimantha only in formulas prepared by a trained practitioner, and avoid it in pregnancy.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows along coasts, mangrove edges and backwaters from India to the Pacific islands.
Bees and small insects visit the flowers.
Birds eat the black fruits.
Related plants
Also in Lamiaceae
Questions about Munnai
Is munnai agnimantha?
In Kerala practice, yes.
Is Munnai the same as thaluthalai?
No. Thaluthalai is Clerodendrum phlomidis.
Where does Munnai grow?
Along coasts and backwaters.
Why do the leaves smell?
They contain aromatic compounds.
What were the Munnai’s older names?
Premna integrifolia or Premna obtusifolia.
Is Munnai a mangrove?
No, but it often grows at mangrove edges.
Sources
- Premna serratifolia L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q1888249 (Premna serratifolia)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.