Medicinal Plants

Celosia cristata (L.) Kuntze

Jengger Ayam

Amaranthaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Celosia cristata (Jengger Ayam) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Celosia cristata (Jengger Ayam) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Celosia cristata (Jengger Ayam)

Summary

Jengger ayam, or cockscomb (Celosia cristata), is an erect annual herb 60-100 cm tall of the Amaranthaceae family, believed to be native to Africa, India, and North America. Its flower shape resembling a rooster's comb makes it a popular ornamental as well as traditional remedy. For generations, this plant has been believed to stop various types of bleeding such as nosebleeds and coughing blood, and to relieve vaginal discharge.

Agroecology

Lives in lowlands up to an elevation of 1,000 m above sea level, hot temperatures of 30-35 °C. Favors locations with annual rainfall between 1,500-2,500 mm/year, soil pH between 6-6.5.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot.
  • Stem thick and sturdy, branched, grooved.
  • Leaves ovate to elongated, pointed tip, alternately arranged.
  • Flowers compound, spike-shaped, thick and fleshy, shaped like a rooster's comb.
  • Fruit ovate, reddish-green, cracks open when ripe.
  • Seeds small and black.

Cultivation

  • Propagated generatively (by seed), by sowing first.
  • After 2 weeks, once 3-4 leaves emerge, thin out the seedlings so the plants can grow optimally.

Chemical Content

Flowers: kaempferitrin, amaranthin, pinitol amarantin, and isocelosianin. Leaves: saponins, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Seeds: phenolics, celosialdehyde, saponins (cristatin, celosin A-D), flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids.

Benefits

Addresses insect bites, vision problems; anti-inflammatory; treats gonorrhea, irregular menstruation, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dysentery, vaginal discharge, red eyes; stops bleeding (nosebleeds, coughing blood, vomiting blood, blood in urine, bleeding hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding); treats urinary tract infections; reduces fever.

Simplisia

  • Prepare fresh flowers and remove any adhering debris. Wash thoroughly under running water.
  • Dry without direct sun exposure for 1 week, then continue heating in an oven (40-50 °C, 4-5 hours).
  • Once dry, store in a closed, airtight container.

Local Names

Banda ulu (Toba), Bayem cenggeng (Java), Celala (Gayo), Jawer kotok (Sunda), Rebha mangsor (Madura), Janggar siap (Bali), Bunga tali (Palembang), Laya (Gorontalo), Sule sule (Ternate).

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 Irregular Menstruation from Jengger Ayam

1. Irregular Menstruation

  • Wash 15 g cockscomb leaves.
  • Steep in 1 cup of boiled water, let cool, and strain.
  • Drink the mixture.
Traditional recipe Bleeding Hemorrhoids from Jengger Ayam

2. Bleeding Hemorrhoids

  • Prepare 15 g dried flowers, 30 g lotus rhizome root, and 15 g false daisy.
  • Clean all ingredients, then boil in 3 cups of water until boiling and reduced to 1 cup, then strain.
  • Drink twice a day, ½ cup each time.

Reference Sources

  1. Al-Snafi, Ali Esmail. (2015). THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF CELOSIA CRISTATA – A REVIEW. The Botulinum J 5(4):254-261
  2. Fern, Ken. (2014). Useful Tropical Plants: Celosia argentea L. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Celosia+argentea. 19-01-2021.
  3. Motaleb, M.A., Hossain, M.K., Alam, M.K., and et all. (2013). Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs and Shrub by Traditional Herbal Practitioners. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Recources). p44.
  4. PFAF. (No date). Celosia argentea cristata - (L.)Kuntze. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Celosia+argentea+cristata. 19-01-2021.
  5. Parapat CA. 2014. Identifikasi Golongan Senyawa Antioksidan Pada Ekstrak Klorofom Dan Metanol Daun Dan Bunga Jengger Ayam (Celosia cristata L.). Universitas Gadjah Maja. Yogyakarta.
  6. Heyne K. 1987. Tumbuhan Berguna Indonesia II. Badan Litbang Departement Kehutanan, Jakarta1126-1128
  7. Kumar PS. 2018. Phytochemical and pharmacological overview of Celosia cristata and future perspective as potential phytotherapeutic agent. European J. Biomed. Pharm. Sci. 5(1): 829-834
  8. Hariana Arief, Hidayat Syamsul, Mursito Bambang dkk. 2015. Kitab Resep Herbal, Penebar Swadaya, Jakarta.
  9. Researchgate. Chemical Constituents of the Seeds of Celosia cristata. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306047849_Chemical_Constituents_of_the_Seeds_of_Celosia_cristata 05-01-2021