Medicinal Plants

Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth.

Coleus (Miana)

Lamiaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Coleus scutellarioides (Coleus (Miana)) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Coleus scutellarioides (Coleus (Miana)) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Coleus scutellarioides (Coleus (Miana))

Summary

Coleus or miana (Coleus scutellarioides) is a herb up to 150 cm tall of the Lamiaceae family, originating from tropical Africa and widely distributed to China, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands. Its unique, striking leaf colors and patterns make it a popular yard ornamental plant. Traditionally, miana is also believed to speed up boil maturation and help address hemorrhoids.

Agroecology

Grows well in lowlands up to elevations of 1,500 m above sea level. Generally found in moist, open places such as rice field embankments, rural roadsides in gardens as a wild plant. Prefers indirect sunlight.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot, whitish-yellow in color.
  • Stem soft, upright and creeping, somewhat deeply grooved, has a square-shaped cross-section. Monopodial branching.
  • Leaves heart-shaped, edges decorated with connected lobes supported by the leaf stalk, varying colors.
  • Flowers arranged and emerge at the stem tip.

Cultivation

  • Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (root, stem, and tip cuttings).
  • Stem cuttings are done by cutting a 10 cm stem, planting it in growing media, watering the plant regularly.

Chemical Content

Terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, sterols, campesterol, salvinorin, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, quercetin, anthraquinones, anthocyanins.

Benefits

Speeds up boil maturation, helps treat hemorrhoids, diabetes mellitus remedy, stomach ache, colic, wounds or ulcers, promotes menstrual blood flow, and postpartum fever.

Simplisia

  • Wash miana leaves under running water until clean. Then drain.
  • Dry by air-drying. Once dry, store in a closed container.

Local Names

Sigresing (Batak), Adong-adong (Palembang), Jawer kotok (Sunda), Iler (Central Java), Ati-ati (Bugis), Serewung (Minahasa).

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 Speeding Up Boil Maturation from Coleus (Miana)

1. Speeding Up Boil Maturation

  • Coat 1 miana leaf with coconut oil to taste, then roast over low heat.
  • Apply to the boil while still warm.
Traditional recipe Postpartum Fever from Coleus (Miana)

2. Postpartum Fever

  • Take 7 sri gading leaves, 3 miana leaves.
  • Boil the concoction with 1 glass of water until it boils and 1/2 glass of water remains.
  • Drink 3 times a day, 1/2 glass each time.