The genus name Lagochilus is derived from the Greek elements λαγός (lagos) "hare" and χείλος (ch(e)ilos) "lip" (in reference to the distinctive shape of the corolla), while the Latin specific name inebrians signifies "intoxicating" — in reference to the use of the plant (in its native Central Asia) to prepare a mildly intoxicating tea (see below).

[4] Lagochilus inebrians is a small shrub of globular habit, bearing numerous stems reaching a height of 20–80 centimetres (10–30 in), woody at the base, simple or branched, leafy, the upper parts pubescent, the lower covered with white shiny bark.

Herbal material from L. inebrians is harvested during the flowering period by beveling the plants with sickles, or by cutting them with shears at a height of about 5 centimetres (2 in) from the ground.

The flowers, with their spiny calyces, and the leaves are then separated from the dry stems by shaking, so that they settle naturally at the bottom of the mass under the influence of gravity.

[5] In the ethnobotany of Central Asia, L. inebrians features as the source of a mildly psychoactive tea with tranquillising effects, used for recreational purposes and also in the folk medicine of the region as a styptic.