Sengkubak

Sengkubak or Pycnarrhena longifolia is a plant from the Menispermaceae family that originates from tropical rainforests in Central and South America. In Indonesia, sengkubak is also an endemic plant around Kayan Mentarang National Park, West Kalimantan and grows wild in the Kars Bukit Bulan area in Jambi. This plant (young leaves) has been used for generations by the people living there as a natural flavor enhancer to replace synthetic flavor enhancers, such as MSG. These leaves provide a savory taste to dishes. Apart from that, many people also use it as a cooking spice, fresh vegetables, natural dye for cloth, and traditional medicine. It has bioactive compounds that have the potential to be used in the fields of pharmaceuticals (therapeutic agents), cosmetics (anti-acne drugs, fragrances or perfumes), and food (natural flavors and sweetening agents). This plant is also a natural antioxidant that can ward off free radicals or oxidation. However, forest land conservation has reduced the number of these plants.

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Sengkubak are generally found growing in lowland areas around 100-150 m above sea level, in hilly areas above 500-1.500 m above sea level. Found in secondary forest and tropical rainforest habitats. It prefers full sun and regular watering, and can also be grown in the shade of tall trees.

• Stems - woody.
• Leaves - arranged in pairs and opposite, green. Oval in shape, similar to brown leaves. The apex is rounded and the base is blunt to rounded. The lateral nerves consist of 6-8 pairs.
• Flowers - small, white or yellowish, star-shaped with five petals.
• Fruits - globose, smooth tomentous or pubescent.
• Seeds - small, black, egg-shaped.

Propagation of plants through seeds, cuttings or from sprouted roots. However, propagating this plant is not easy.

Steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, tannins, alkaloids (obaberine, homoaromoline, aromoline, daphnoline, limacine, krukovine, magnoflorine, and pycnarrhine), acetic acid, butyl ester (CAS), sabinene, cis-ocimene, alloaromadendrene (CAS), alpha.- bergamotene (CAS).

• Treats cholera, headaches, tumors, seizures, malaria, flatulence, eye irritation, snake bites, postnatal care.
• Reduces fever, prevents skin diseases.
• It has anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-acne and analgesic activities.

• Petik daun sengkubak secukupnya lalu bersihkan.
• Setelah bersih tumbuk daun atau potong-potong kecil.
• Kemudian keringkan atau angin-anginkan.
• Setelah kering simpan serbuk simplisia daun sengkubak dalam wadah tertutup dan kedap udara.