Rare Plants with Medicinal Potential

Rare Plants with Medicinal Potential

 21 Apr 2008

 CIBODAS is a tourist park as well as a protected forest that is used as a conservation area. Commemorating the 156th anniversary of the Cibodas Botanical Garden (KRC) (1852-2008), an exhibition of rare medicinal plants that are well known to the public was held for two days last weekend. This event is also the inauguration of the Environmental Education Service Program (Pepeling) for school students in Cianjur, West Java,

Some plants have been trusted as medicines and others have been scientifically tested, said the Head of UPT-KRC LIPI, Dr. Didik Widyatmoko MSc.

This potent medicinal plant exhibition was held as a hope to show the Indonesian people that we can actually be richer or at least equal to China for various kinds of traditional medicine. The reason is, traditional medicinal knowledge is our cultural heritage that is similar to China. Here are some types of rare plants that are believed to have medicinal properties:

1.       Centella asiatica (L), Urban or Gotu Kola

It grows creeper with kidney-shaped leaves, is found mostly in the open and humid at an altitude of 1-2,500 meters. All of these plants can be used to accelerate wound healing and eczema, promote breastfeeding, tight juice for women, and to increase concentration and memory. The part that can be used almost all parts of the plant. The method is only by boiling, brewing, or eating it immediately.

2.       Eclipta prostate (L) L or Urang-aring

Upright plant with a height of 0.9 m, leaves are oval elongated, white flowers on the tips or axillary of the upper leaves. Grows at 1-1500 m asl. Can be used to grow baby hair, dye and prevent gray hair by applying the squeezed water to the leaves. It can also be used to treat eczema by sticking these orang-aring leaves on the affected skin.

3.       Euchreta horsfieldii (Lesch) Benn or Ki Jiwo

Shrubs with a height of 1.5 meters, odd compound leaves and brown hair underneath. Creamy white flowers and fruit pods. This plant lives at an altitude of 1300-2000 m above sea level in Sumatra, Java and Bali. Can be used for lumbago medicine and aphrodisiac by drinking boiled water from the leaves and roots of plants.

4.       Ficus deltoidea Jack or Tabat Barito

Small shrubs that grow on the ground or attach to other plants. The leaves of this plant are spiral, ovate, breech to lanceolate, the underside is yellowish green to brown. It is believed to be an aprodisiac (sexual arousal enhancer) by drinking the water from the leaves.

5.       Graptophyllum pictum Griff or Handeuleum

A shrub up to 3 meters high. Leaves opposite, lanceolate stumped with dark purple color. Often found around wild plants. Can be used as a medicine for hemorrhoids and to remove gallstones. The method is only by drinking boiled water or the juice.