Genus Blumea is found in the tropical and sub-tropical zones of Asia, especially the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. A few species are found in Australia and still fewer in Africa.[2][4]
Many species of genus Blumea are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Other uses include as decorative dry plants.
Blumea balsamifera (Nat; หนาด) is reputed to ward off spirits in Thai folklore, and is used in Philippines herbal medicine as well.
Blumea axillaris (syn. Blumea mollis) leaf essential oil contains linalool (c. 19%), γ-elemene (c. 12%), copaene (c. 11%), estragole (c.11%), allo-ocimene (c. 10 %), γ-terpinene (8%) and allo-aromadendrene (c. 7 %). The essential oil had significant toxic effect against early fourth-instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus with LC50 = 71.71 and LC90 = 143.41 ppm.[6]
Blumea is also the name of the Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Plant Geography published by the National Herbarium of the Netherlands.[7]