West Indian Holly

The spread of west indian holly includes tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, India, Myanmar, and Madagascar. This plant grows in the humid tropics and subtropics. West indian holly has not been widely cultivated, but has potential as an ornamental plant and also has many properties as traditional medicine that can overcome various health problems.

Hawaiian holly, Red leea, Red tree vine,  (Engl.), Huo tong shu (Chinese), Hansid hapan, Kojiya, Arigbokuta, Iya-kerere (Nigeria), Leia alaranjada (Portuguese), Kradangngaa daeng, Khueang khaeng maa, Seesa lueat (Thailand).

Succeeds in the humid tropics and subtropics. Prefers a position in part-shade, succeeding in any moderately fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. 

• Roots - Tap root.
• Stem and semi-woody branches, sometimes have a creeping rootstock.
• Leaves - pinnately compound and have obovate stipules. The young leaves are reddish-green in colour and turn to green as the leaves mature. The leaflets are  elliptic to lance shaped and have a rounded base with a caudate apex and a dentate margin. 
• Flowers - are borne on a cyme and are red to reddish-orange in colour. 
• Fruits - comes in the form of red berries when mature. 

Propagation by generative (seeds) and vegetatively (stem cuttings and grafts).

Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, polyphenols, anthraquinones, essential oils, terpenoids, quercetin, kaempferol, mearnsitrin, gallic acid, ethyl gallate, phlobatannin, phytic acid.

Treating stomach cramps, rheumatism, arthritis, muscle pain, treating edema and abscesses, vertigo or headaches, dysentery, toothache, epilepsy, diarrhea, hypertension, ulcers and has activity as a diuretic (urine laxative).

• Pilih daun leak bali segar dan tidak rusak, cuci bersih dengan air mengalir lalu tiriskan.
• Susun daun di atas nampan, kering anginkan tanpa terkena sinar matahari langsung hingga kering (daun mudah hancur ketika diremas).
• Setelah kering simpan dalam wadah tertutup