Causonis trifolia (L.) Mabb. & J.Wen

Galing-galing (Causonis trifolia) is an annual vine up to 2-20 meters long of the Vitaceae family, native to South China and distributed to Malaysia and Indonesia. Communities in Maluku use its young leaves as a vegetable, while almost every part of this plant is traditionally used as medicine. Galing-galing is believed to help address boils, diabetes, and serve as a natural anti-dandruff shampoo ingredient.

This plant is often found in tropical forests, primary forests, rainforests, grasslands, cliffs, hillsides, riverbanks, open forests at elevations of 500-1,000 m above sea level. Prefers open, sun-exposed conditions.

• Root tough and strong.
• Stem square-shaped, reddish-green in color.
• Leaves ovate to oblong, 3 in one petiole, leaf length 2-8 cm, width 1.5-5 cm, serrated edges, upper and lower surfaces finely and shortly hairy.
• Flowers compound, emerging in leaf axils, greenish-white, small in size.
• Fruit fleshy, containing much water, dark purple or black in color, nearly round shape.
• Seeds somewhat rounded triangular shape.

Propagated generatively (seed) and vegetatively (stem cuttings).

Steroid/terpenoid, flavonoid, tannin, stilbene, kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, triterpene, epifriedelanol, hydrocyanic acid, delphinidin β-sitosterol, squalene, stigmasterol, lutein.

Treats boils, wounds, itching and dandruff on the scalp, diabetes, tumors, fever, anemia, stomach ache, reduces muscle pain, has antiviral, anti-inflammatory activity.

• Choose fresh galing-galing leaves. Clean off attached dirt. Wash then drain.
• Slice the leaves and place on a tray then dry in the sun for several days, covered with a thin dark-colored cloth.
• Once dry, place in a clean, tightly sealed or airtight plastic bag.

Lambai-lambai, Galik-galik (Kalimantan), Gumburu rogbo-rogbo (Ternate), Ai lau salak (Ambon).