Medicinal Plants

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don

Tapak Dara

Apocynaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus (Tapak Dara) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus (Tapak Dara) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus (Tapak Dara)

Summary

Tapak dara (Catharanthus roseus) is a shrub 30-100 cm tall of the Apocynaceae family, originating from Madagascar and now cultivated as an ornamental plant throughout tropical regions. In Europe, this plant has been used as a diabetes remedy since the 3rd century, while in Hawaii it is used to stop bleeding. Its distinctive alkaloid compounds are believed to help address hypertension and have been researched for leukemia treatment.

Agroecology

Grows well in lowlands up to an elevation of 800 m above sea level. Prefers open, sunny to partly shaded areas in tropical climates with fertile, moist, well-drained soil, and soil pH between 5.4-5.8.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot.
  • Stem woody (base), with white sap, round-shaped stem.
  • Leaves single, opposite, pinnate venation. Elongated shape, inverted egg-shaped to oval. Base and tip of leaf pointed, smooth edges, midrib somewhat thick and fleshy.
  • Flowers compound, trumpet-shaped, consisting of five petals, finely hairy surface, white, purple, pink or white with red in the center, corolla tube 22-30 mm long.
  • Fruit hairy, hanging, containing many black seeds.

Cultivation

  • Propagated by seed, stem cuttings, roots.
  • Seeds are sown in polybags, once seedlings reach 15-20 cm transplant to the field or pot.
  • Harvest leaves/flowers at 4 months of age.

Chemical Content

Catharantihine, leurosine, sulphate, lochnerine, tetrahydroaltonine, vinrosidine, vinleurosine, vindoline, vindolinine, vincristine, vinblastine, reserpine, and serpentine.

Benefits

Treats leukemia, hypertension, diabetes, dysentery, anemia, fever, cough, asthma, bronchitis, constipation, boils/ulcers, burns, mumps swelling, breast and uterine cancer, digestive tract, canker sores, irregular menstruation, kidney stones, hand tremors, stomach inflammation.

Simplisia

  • Pick fresh tapak dara leaves then wash thoroughly with running water.
  • Dry by air-drying at room temperature until dry.
  • Once dry, grind with a blender.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Local Names

Rutu-rutu, Rumput jalang (Sumatra), Kembang sari cina, Kembang serdadu, Paku rane, Tapak doro, Cakar ayam, Tai lantuan (Java), Tapak lima (Bali), Usia (Maluku), Sindapor (Sulawesi), Kembang tembaga beureum (Sunda).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Asthma from Tapak Dara

1. Asthma

  • Boil 15-20 g tapak dara roots with 2-3 glasses of water until it boils.
  • Drink 1 glass per day.
Traditional recipe Diabetes Mellitus from Tapak Dara

2. Diabetes Mellitus

  • Boil 3 tapak dara leaves and 15 tapak dara flowers with 4 glasses of water until it boils down to 1.5 glasses.
  • Cool then strain.
  • Drink twice a day (morning and evening).

Reference Sources

  1. Almagro L, Pérez FF, Pedreño MA. 2015. Indole Alkaloids from Catharanthus roseus: bioproduction and their effect on human health. Molecules 20: 2973-3000.
  2. Gajalakhsmi S, Vijayalakhsmi S, Rajewari RV. 2013. Pharmacological activities of Catharanthus roseous: a perspective review. Int. J. Pharm. Bio. Sci. 4(2): 431- 439.
  3. Kabesh K, Senthilkumar P, Ragunathan R, Kumar RR. 2015. Phytochemical analysis of Catharanthus rseus plant extract and its antimicrobial activity. Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 3(2): 162-172.
  4. Hassan KA, Brenda HAT, Patrick V, Patrick OE. 2011. In vivo antidiarrheal activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus Linn. (Apocyanaceae) in Wistar rats. Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 5(15): 1797-1800.
  5. Tiong SH, Looi CY, Hazni H, Arya A, Paydar M, Wong WF, Cheah SC, Mustafa MR, Awang K. 2013. Antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of alkaloids from Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. Molecules 18: 9770-9784.
  6. W hembing. 2008. Ramuan lengkap herbal taklukan penyakit. Niaga swadaya, Jakarta.
  7. Hariana Arief , Hidayat Syamsul, Mursito Bambang dkk. 2015. Kitab resep herbal. Penebar Swadaya, Jakarta.
  8. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. Catharanthus roseus. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Catharanthus+roseus 12-01-2021