Cyclea barbata Miers

Cincau hijau rambat (Cyclea barbata) is a climbing plant up to 8 meters long of the Menispermaceae family, native to Southeast Asia, distributed from Assam, India to Java and eastern Indonesia. Its leaves, when kneaded and strained, produce a refreshing green jelly also believed to lower blood pressure. Cincau hijau is also traditionally used to relieve fever and promote urination.

This plant grows ideally in soil conditions with a pH of 5.5-6.5 at elevations below 800 m above sea level and supported by a shaded, moist environment with shallow water.

• Roots thick fleshy, long, pale brown on the outside and white-yellow inside.
• Stem round shaped, soft, climbing by twining, 1 cm diameter.
• Leaves greenish-brown, heart-shaped and somewhat round. Tapering leaf tip, uneven edges, finely hairy so the leaf surface feels rough and has a blunt base and tip, leaf stalk length 2.5 cm to 4.5 cm.
• Flowers small and clustered.
• Fruit round and somewhat hairy. Young fruit green, turning brownish-white when ripe. Each fruit contains 1-2 hard, egg-shaped seeds.

Propagated generatively (black seed) or vegetatively (stem cuttings, layering, root shoot growth). 

Polyphenols, saponins, polygalacturonic acid, tannins, glycosides, phenolics, flavonoids, arabinose, bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (limacine, tetrandrine, thalrugosine, homoaromoline, cycleapeltine).

Prevents and addresses hypertension, diarrhea, cough, upset stomach, dysentery, boosts immunity, addresses fever and headache, boils, promotes urination, thins phlegm.

• Collect fresh leaves.
• Wash thoroughly with running water.
• Air-dry the material for several days.
• Once completely dry, grind into powder.
• Put into a clean, airtight container.

Camcao (Java), Camcauh (Sunda), Juju, Kepleng, Krotok, Tarawalu, Tahulu (Malay).