Medicinal Plants

Curcuma mangga Valeton & Zijp

Temu Mangga

Zingiberaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Curcuma mangga (Temu Mangga) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Curcuma mangga (Temu Mangga) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Curcuma mangga (Temu Mangga)

Summary

Temu mangga (Curcuma mangga) is an upright herb 1-2 meters tall of the Zingiberaceae family, originating from Bengal, India, and now spread to Java, Malaysia, and Thailand. Its rhizome, with its distinctive aroma resembling ripe mango, is commonly used as an ingredient for traditional jamu as well as a promising export commodity. Its curcumin content is believed to increase appetite and help relieve inflammation.

Agroecology

Temu mangga grows in lowlands up to an elevation of 1,000 m above sea level, with an optimal elevation of 300-500 m above sea level, rainfall of 1,000-2,000 mm/year. Its growth requires plenty of light with some shade, fertile and loose soil, well-drained (not waterlogged).

Morphology

  • Roots fibrous and white.
  • Rhizome branching, yellowish outside, lemon-yellow to sulfur-yellow inside, with a distinctive mango-like aroma.
  • Stem pseudostem, upright, soft, the underground stem forms the rhizome.
  • Leaves single, sheathed, oblong, smooth edges, tapering base and tip, pinnate venation, green.
  • Flowers compound, split tip, emerging from the base of the leaf stalk. Stamens white and attached to the petals. Pistil cylindrical, round stigma, yellow. Petals white and oblong.

Cultivation

  • Propagated vegetatively (by clump division or splitting the parent rhizome).
  • Spread the rhizome, then cover with a little soil or straw and water. After shoots appear (3-4 weeks), cut the rhizome (each piece containing 1-2 buds). Transplant to the field.
  • The best planting time is at the start of the rainy season. Planting distance 25-40 x 50 cm.

Chemical Content

Saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols, myrcene, steroids, β-ocimene, β-pinene, α-pinene, curcumin, quinone, mycrene.

Benefits

Increases appetite, shrinks the uterus, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, stops bleeding, tuberculosis, ulcer remedy, and treats acne and boils.

Simplisia

  • Choose good, fresh temu mangga (not rotten). Wash the fresh rhizome, aged one year, thoroughly with running water then peel the skin.
  • Slice thinly, dry in the sun covered with a thin black cloth for 1-2 days, or oven-dry at 40-60 °C.
  • Store in an airtight container protected from sunlight.

Local Names

Koneng lalab (Sunda), Temo pao (Madura), Temu lalab, Kuning pari.

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 Shrinking the Uterus from Temu Mangga

1. Shrinking the Uterus

  • Wash 100 g temu mangga rhizome, then grate and strain.
  • Drink all at once.
  • Drink the concoction once a day.
Traditional recipe Tuberculosis from Temu Mangga

2. Tuberculosis

  • Prepare 15 g temu mangga and 15 g sambiloto.
  • Boil all ingredients with 4 glasses of water over low heat until reduced to 2 glasses. Strain the decoction.
  • Drink twice a day, morning and evening, equal amounts.

Reference Sources

  1. Repository.unpak. Bioactive Compounds and Antibacterial Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of Curcuma mangga. Val Against Staphylococcus aureus. https://repository.unpak.ac.id/tukangna/repo/file/files-20181010184757.pdf 18-01-2021.
  2. Ibrahim, Ahmad Abu Said et all. 2011. Chemical Composition of the Rhizome Oils of Four Curcuma Species from Malaysia. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10412905.1999.9712004 18-01-2021.
  3. Kamazeri TSAT, Samah OA, Taher M, Susanti D, Qaralleh H. 2012. Antimicrobial activity and essential oils of Curcuma aeruginosa, Curcuma mangga, and Zingiber cassumunar from Malaysia. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine: 202-209.
  4. Karsono AH, Tandrasasmita OM, Tjandrawinata RR. 2014. Molecular effects of bioactive fraction of Curcuma mangga (DLBS4847) as a downregulator of 5α-reductase activity pathways in prostatic epithelial cells. Cancer Manag Res. 6: 267-78.
  5. Safrina D, Supriadi, MB. 2019. Efektivitas metode blansir terhadap peningkatan kualitas simplisia temu mangga (Curcuma mangga val.) setelah masa simpan. Jurnal Penelitian Pasca Panen 16 (1) : 25-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.21082/jpasca.v16n1.2019.28-33
  6. Susmiati T. 2010. Mekanisme Penghambatan Inisiasi Aterosklerosis di Tingkat Seluler oleh Kurkuminoid Ekstrak Temu Mangga (Curcuma mangga). Tesis. Sekolah Pasca Sarjana. Institut Pertanian Bogor. Bogor.
  7. Widowati W, Moze T, Risdian C, Yellianty Y. 2013. Anticancer and free radical scavenging potency of Catharanthus roseus, Dendrophthoe petandra, Piper betle and Curcuma mangga extracts in breast cancer cell lines. Oxid. Antioxid. Med. Sci. 2(2):137-142.
  8. CCRC Farmasi UGM.Temu Mangga (Curcuma mangga) Val. https://ccrc.farmasi.ugm.ac.id/?page_id=2249 12-06-2020
  9. Kebun Raya Purwodadi. http://www.krpurwodadi.lipi.go.id/koleksi/detil/?jenis=6&koleksi=53 09-12-2019
  10. Ulung Gagas. Sehat Alami dengan Herbal: 250 Tanaman Berkhasiat Obat (Mengecilkan Rahim). Pusat Studi. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=-KBLDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA422&lpg=PA422&dq=mengecilkan+rahim+temu+mangga&source=bl&ots=AF5mACVMRp&sig=ACfU3U38bt0n1XgLXVgXqhvoX0u37ostkw&hl=id&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjj54mI6aTuAhWyzzgGHagWDA04KBDoATABegQIAhAC#v=onepage&q=mengecilkan%20rahim%20temu%20mangga&f=false 28-05-2020
  11. Suryo Joko. 2010. Hebal Penyembuh Gangguan Sistem Pernapasan: Pneumonia-kanker paru paru TB-bronkitis-pleurisi. Benteng Pustaka.