Socfindo Conservation

Seaside Clerodendron

Volkameria inermis L.

Lamiacea

Location in our garden

Seaside Clerodendron 1Seaside Clerodendron 2Seaside Clerodendron 3

Overview

Its native distribution covers Southern China, India, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Polynesia. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes cultivated as a medicinal plant, especially in India, and is commonly grown as an ornamental and hedge plant in tropical areas.

Vernacular Names

Yasamen katheb (Arabic), Volkameria (French), Ku lang shu (Chinese), Ibota-kusagi (Japanese), Bunga pawang (Malay)

Agroecology

Grows on open coastal areas,such as along the beach, in mangroves, along tidal rivers; also found along rivers and in swamps further inland; favouring sandy soils but also found on clays at elevations up to 100 m.

Morphology

  • Stems - erect, branches are slender while the knots are not annulated.
  • Leaves - Its stalked leaves have membranous leaf blades that are oval or narrowly lance-shaped, not covered with hair when mature, and 3.8–8.8 by 1.8–4.3 cm, with inconspicuous veins.
  • Flowers - Its flowers grow in groups of 3–7 on the end of branches (axils). Its petals are white or tinged purple, and fragrant.
  • Fruits - Its drupe (fruit) is drop-shaped, bright green turning black or brown, and 0.8 cm in diameter.

Cultivation

Propagated by seeds, softwood cuttings, cuttings of half-ripe wood, root cuttings and division of suckers.

Chemical Constituents

Flavonoids, sterols, flavones, triterpenes, diterpenes, quinones, neolignans, stearoptin with an apple-like odor, pentadecanoic acid-ß-D-glucoside, acetin and apigenin, new diterpenoids clerodane, cleroindermin, apigenin, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, phenolic saponins, tannins, iridoids, steroids, fixed oils, essential oils, and lignins.

Benefits

  • A decoction of the root is used as a bitter, febrifuge and general alterative. It is used in the treatment of intermittent fevers.
  • The finely ground roots are used as a remedy for an upset stomach, especially if this is caused by poisonous seafood. This treatment is often combined with a decoction of the leaves, simultaneously employed as a bath but also as a drink.
  • The root is boiled in oil and used as a liniment that is rubbed into affected areas when treating rheumatism.
  • The leaves are alterative, bitter, depurative and febrifuge. A decoction of roasted leaves is considered a remedy for beriberi.
  • A decoction of the leaves, or a poultice of the ground leaves, is applied topically in the treatment of skin diseases, swellings, itches etc., and help to prevent suppuration.
  • The seeds are reportedly used as a remedy for an upset stomach, especially when this is caused by poisonous seafood.
  • An extract of the plant has shown antiviral activity against hepatitis b.

Simplisia

  • Siapkan daun segar gambir laut secukupnya, cuci bersih dengan air mengalir lalu tiriskan.
  • Keringkan di bawah sinar matahari atau dengan oven suhu 40 °C hingga kadar air 10%.
  • Haluskan menggunakan blender hingga menjadi bubuk.
  • Simpan pada wadah bersih dan kedap udara.

Plant Parts Used

Seaside Clerodendron part 1
Seaside Clerodendron part 2
Seaside Clerodendron part 3

Traditional Recipes

1. Gatal

1. 1. Gatal

  • Ambil daun gambir laut secukupnya cuci hingga bersih.
  • Haluskan hingga menjadi pasta.
  • Oles pasta daun pada kulit yang gatal.

Reference Sources

  1. Fern, Ken. Useful Tropical Plants. (2021). Volkameria inermis. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Volkameria+inermis. 17-12-21
  2. StuartXchage. Philippines Medicinal Plant. (2019). Volkameria inermis. http://www.stuartxchange.org/Mangongot.html. 17-12-21
  3. Flora & Fauna Web. Volkameria inermis. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/8/1823. 17-12-21