Strobilanthes crispa (L.) Blume
Yellow Strobilanthus / Pecah beling (Bru.)
Acanthaceae
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial shrub that can grow up to 1 m tall. The plant has slightly bitter taste. Leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, glossy and slightly hairy. Leaf blade is elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, acute or cuspidate at apex, attenuate at base with entire or wavy margin and pinnate venation. Stems are quadrangular, woody at the base and becoming brown when mature. Flowers are yellow and tubular. Inflorescence a terminal spine. Fruit a capsule.
Locally, the dried leaves are made into a decoction to treat kidney stone and hypertension. The plant is known for its antioxidant, antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic, wound healing, hypolipidemic and antiangiogenic activities.
It prefers moist but well-drained soil under full sunlight. It is usually found in hilly areas, on riverbanks and in abandoned fields.
Seeds and stem cutting.
Native to countries from Madagascar to Indonesia.
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