Medicinal Plants

Cleome spinosa Jacq.

Mamang Besar

Cleomaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Cleome spinosa (Mamang Besar) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Cleome spinosa (Mamang Besar) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Cleome spinosa (Mamang Besar)

Summary

Mamang besar (Cleome spinosa) is an annual herb up to 50-150 cm tall of the Cleomaceae family, native to tropical South America. Its beautiful ball-shaped flowers make it a favorite cut flower and ornamental. The whole mamang besar plant is traditionally believed to relieve rheumatism, body aches, and bruised wounds.

Agroecology

This plant is usually found in moist thickets, open fields and abandoned land, growing in lowlands up to elevations of 1,800 m above sea level, with temperatures of 23-30°C.

Morphology

  • Stem upright, branched, and hairy.
  • Leaves palmately compound. Leaflets lance-shaped with pinnate venation and flat leaf edges, and has 3-5 leaflets.
  • Flowers compound in a raceme, emerging from the stalk tip, sepals and petals numbering 4 each. Stamens long and drooping, sepals white, pink or purplish in color.
  • Fruit box-shaped, containing many seeds.

Cultivation

  • Propagated by seed.
  • Seed dormancy is broken through temperature treatment. Seeds are scattered on the soil surface, in a small germination tray, stored in a refrigerator for 2 weeks. Remove and store in a warm place until it germinates.

Chemical Content

Terpene, steroid, phenolic compounds (phenylpropanoid and coumarin), flavonoid, chalcone, 7-α-hydroxy manool, incensole and sclareool. Stem, leaves, and fruit: (Z)-phytol, integerrimine, and incensole.

Benefits

Treats rheumatism, body aches, bruised wounds, improves blood circulation, remedy for headache, respiratory tract disease, fever, and earache.

Simplisia

Information not yet available.

Local Names

Kutun, Mamam, Bunga laba-laba (Java).

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 Treating bruised wounds from Mamang Besar

1. Treating bruised wounds

  • Prepare mamang besar flowers as needed then wash thoroughly.
  • Grind the material finely into a paste.
  • Apply the mixture to the affected area.
  • If needed, bandage with a clean cloth.
  • Do this until recovered.
Traditional recipe Treating rheumatism from Mamang Besar

2. Treating rheumatism

  • Take mamang besar flowers as needed.
  • Wash the material thoroughly with running water.
  • Boil until boiling. Let stand until warm.
  • Use the warm boiled water to soak the affected part of the body.

Reference Sources

  1. StuartXchange. (2015). Phillipine Mediicinal Plants. BoteteCleome spinosa Jacq. http://stuartxchange.com/Botete.html. 25-10-2020.
  2. Biodiversity India. (No date). India Biodiversity Portal. Cleome spinosa Jacq.. https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/263044. 25-10-2020.
  3. National Park. (No date). Flora & Fauna web. Cleome hassleriana Chodat. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/3/3/3313. 25-10-2020.
  4. Flora Of Pakistan. Cleome spinosa. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200009173. 25-10-2020.
  5. Fern, Ken. (2014). Useful Tropical Plants. Cleome speciosa. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cleome+speciosa. 03-11-2020
  6. Bezerra JWA, Coronel C, Gomez MCV, Rolón M, Nunez CV, da Silva DR, Morais MFB. 2019. Evaluation of antiparasitary, cytotoxic and antioxidant activity and chemical analysis of Tarenaya spinosa (Jacq.) Raf. (Cleomaceae). South African Journal of Botany: 124, 546–555.
  7. McNeil MJ, Porter RB, Williams LA, Rainford L. 2010. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from Cleome spinosa. /McNeil MJ, Porter RB, Williams LA, Rainford L/Natural Product Communications, 5(8):1301-1306
  8. Simões-Gurgel S, de Castro TC, Gayer CRM, Coelho MGP, de Moura RS, Mansur E. 2013. Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of field- growth plants and tissue culture of Cleome spinosa (Jacq.) in mice / Norma Albarello*, / Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 7(16): 1043-1049, 25 April, 2013/ DOI: 10.5897/JMPR12.153
  9. USDA.Cleome spinosa Jacq. spiny spiderflower. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CLSP3 20-11-2020
  10. Remaja Kerokhanian Sapta Darma Sragen. 2014. Daftar Tanaman Obat Indonesia. Sragen244.