Poikilospermum suaveolens plant

P. suaveolens is widespread and found in India, Indo-China, southeastern China, Thailand, the Nicobar Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and the Philippines. Poikilospermum suaveolens is known to be efficacious as a medicinal plant. Ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology studies show that people generally use P. suaveolens as traditional medicine. This plant also has activity as anticandidal, antibesial, antiviral.

Krape roo (Cambodia), Xiang tian zhui tou ma (Chinese), Bunatol (Malay), Airai (Thai).

found growing in area up to 1500 m above sea level, and prefers open forests and shrubs, but is rare in seasonal forests. Easy to grow in moist, well-drained, loamy soil, in full sun to partial shade.

• Leaves - alternate and stemmed, broad leaf blades have oval-shaped, and measuring 10-60 by 2-25 cm with purplish veins underneath.
• Flowers - small, male flowers 1.5-2 mm long, female flowers 3-7 mm long, pink. The flowers rest in clusters like forked heads with male bunches 2.5-3.5 cm wide and female bunches 5-9 cm wide.
• Fruits - lonjong-obovoid, achenes berkutil, 3-5 mm.

Propagated by seeds and stem cuttings.

Flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and triterpenoids.

• The Higaonon tribe of Rogongon in Mindanao apply the latex or sap of stem for relief or treatment of sore eyes.
• In Lower Siam, sap is considered cooling for fevers. In Java, sap is used for the same purpose.
• In Java, pounded stems made into hair wash to destroy vermin.
• In Serampas, Indonesia, used for beri-beri.
• In Northern Thailand, one of the plants used in the preparation of postpartum herbal baths.
• In Malaysia, sap used for stomach ulcers; shoots applied to wounded skin.
• Sap from stem is drunk for postpartum treatment.
• Stem sap prepared in an oral drink, used for night fever.