Combretum indicum (L.) C. C. H. Jongkind
Rangoon-creeper / Akar dani/Akar suloh/Akar pontianak (M.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Terrestrial woody liana that can climb up to 8 m tall by means of hooks. Leaves are simple, arranged in opposite pairs along the stem, papery, adaxially glabrous except for the mid-vein that is covered with hairs. Leaf blade is elliptic to elliptic-oblong, acuminate at apex, rounded at base with entire margin and pinnate venation. Stems are densely covered with short hairs or glabrous, much-branched and cylindrical. Flowers are fragrant, tubular, pink turning red over a period of time and hanging. Inflorescence a terminal raceme. Fruit an elliptic-
Locally, the rhizome and stem are soaked into warm water as herbal bath to bathe newborn baby for consecutively 7 days after the baby is born. It is believed that the herbal bath can relieve fever and thrush. The juice from the rhizome is consumed to alleviate poisoning from bad food. The plant is reported for its antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, anticholinesterase, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, adaptogenic, antibacterial, antifertility, oestrogenic, anticariogenic, spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic
It is commonly found in forests and on grassy slopes. It prefers moist but well- drained soil under partial shade.
Seeds.
Considered native to Southeast Asia and possibly tropical Africa, widely cultivated in the Neotropics.
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