Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold

Ginje (Cascabela thevetia) is an upright shrub 3-8 meters tall of the Apocynaceae family, native to the Americas and spread to the Pacific and East Africa, commonly planted as a roadside ornamental. This plant has been used in traditional medicine in tropical America and Asia, though caution is needed as high doses can cause poisoning. Ginje is believed to be cardiotonic and to help relieve swelling.

Grows well in lowlands up to elevations of 900 m above sea level, in full sunlight, dry soil but not wind-tolerant. Prefers fertile, well-drained loamy soil.

• Stem woody, ridged, jointed, round, grayish-green in color, with an unpleasant smell.
• Leaves line-lance-shaped, short petiole, pointed tip, glossy green, clustered at the tips of twigs.
• Flowers trumpet-shaped, positioned opposite the leaves at the twig tips, yellow.
• Fruit a drupe, glossy green and turning black when ripe, containing latex, 5 cm in diameter.
• Seeds large, single, gray in color.

• Propagated by seed and stem cuttings.
• Seeds germinate quickly, visible after 3 months, 80% germination success. Flowers and fruits year-round in equatorial regions.

Root: nerifolin, thevelene, neriperside. Bark: peruvoside, nerifolin, lupeol acetate, theviridoside. Seeds: thevetin, cerberoside, thevefolin, ruvoside, peruvoside, theveside, vertiaflavone.

Strengthens the heart (cardiotonic), diuretic, heals swelling (antiswelling), vermifuge (anthelmintic), treats skin infections, remedy for fever in children.

• Take the stem and whole leaves of the ginje plant then wash thoroughly with water.
• Dry in the sun until dry, then store in a closed place.

Ki hujan (Sunda), Nagasari (East Java).