Centratherum punctatum Cass.

Bunga kancing lurah (Centratherum punctatum) is a herb 10-50 cm tall of the Asteraceae family, thought to originate from South and Central America, now naturalized as far as Australia and the Pacific Islands. Although considered a weed, its leaf extract has proven antimicrobial and antiproliferative properties, with potential as a supplement for cancer patients. Bunga kancing lurah is traditionally believed to heal wounds and boost libido.

Centratherum punctatum is a weed commonly found growing in tropical regions especially in grasslands, disturbed areas, along roadsides, forests, forest edges, from sea level up to elevations of 1,200 m above sea level. Prefers environments with rainfall ranging between 500-1,900 mm/year. Very suitable for planting in open places with high sunlight intensity and has strong tolerance in dry areas or dry environments.

• Stem upright and puberulent, round shaped, brownish in color, rough and hairy stem surface.
• Leaves single, lance-ovate shaped, tapering leaf tip, tapering leaf base, sharply serrated leaf edges, light green in color, refreshing pineapple aroma, sessile or short-stalked leaves, alternate leaf arrangement, pinnate leaf veins.
• Flowers compound, has a disc-shaped head with many florets, consisting of ray florets and disc florets with purple petals, fragrant. Outer florets longer than inner florets. Corolla tube narrowly cylindrical shaped and widening slightly at the top, corolla tube glandular. Corolla lobes numbering 5, linear. Stamens numbering 5. Anther filaments thread-like, white, and attached to the corolla. Inflorescence a single head shape.
• Fruit an achene, cylindrical, 8-10 ribbed, brown in color, hairless.
• Seeds small in size (1-2 mm).

Propagated generatively using seed.

Kaempferol-3-glucuronide, chlorogenic acid, kaempferide, isorhamnetin-3-0-rutinoside, farnesol, cyanidin-3,5-di-0-glucoside, biochanin-1, 5-Hydroxy-4'-methoxy-7-methylflavones, ergocornine, kaempferol, feritidin, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 7-0-methylwogonin, asiaticoside, qingyangshengenin, germacranolide derivatives, essential oil consisting of sesquiterpene hydrocarbon (β-caryophyllene, cyclosativene, α-copaene, trans-α-bergamotene, (Z)-β-farnesene, α-humulene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, and δ-cadinene), oxygenated sesquiterpene (spathulenol, viridiflorol, caryophyllene oxide, globulol, sesquisabinene, β-selinene, β-eudesmol, bicyclogermacrene, elemol), and 1,8-cineole.

Heals wounds, skin whitening and anti-aging agent, boosts libido, reduces pain, antidote for snake and tiger bites, addresses hypertension. Has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anti-parasitic activity against Haemonchus placei.

• Prepare bunga kancing lurah leaves, wash thoroughly with running water.
• Cut the leaves into pieces so they dry easily.
• Dry in the sun or with an oven at 40°C until moisture content reaches 10%.
• Grind using a blender into powder.
• Store in a clean, airtight place.

No information found. Further research needed.