Medicinal Plants

Dahlia imperialis Roezl ex Ortgies

Pohon Dahlia

Asteraceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Dahlia imperialis (Pohon Dahlia) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Dahlia imperialis (Pohon Dahlia) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Dahlia imperialis (Pohon Dahlia)

Summary

Pohon dahlia (Dahlia imperialis) is an herb 2-6 meters tall from the Asteraceae family native to Mexico, popular as a garden ornamental for its large, beautiful flowers. Its leaves are used as a food supplement by the Q'eqchi' people in Guatemala, while its tuber can be eaten though it doesn't taste very good. Pohon dahlia is traditionally believed to relieve itchy skin and acne.

Agroecology

Dahlia imperialis is a highland and mountain plant, growing at elevations of 1,500-1,700 meters. It prefers moist but well-drained soil conditions, and full sun.

Morphology

  • Roots tuberous.
  • Stem upright, 4-angled, brittle and woody (8 cm wide), usually branching from the base with swollen nodes and underground tubers (swollen underground stems functioning as food storage organs or vegetative reproduction structures).
  • Leaves opposite, 5-7 leaflets arranged pinnately, ovate to blade-shaped, hairy, toothed, 4-10 cm, with a pointed tip.
  • Flowers pink, 2-10 cm in diameter, axillary, arranged on a single long flower stalk or with several clusters.
  • Fruit a thin winged achene.

Cultivation

Propagation is generative using seed. Pohon dahlia produces very few seeds. Propagation using stem cuttings is more commonly used because it is easier.

Chemical Content

Flowers: terpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids. Tubers: alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, and saponins.

Benefits

To relieve itchy skin and acne.

Local Names

Informasi tidak ditemukan. Butuh penelusuran lebih lanjut.

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 Soothes tired feet from Pohon Dahlia

1. Soothes tired feet

  • Boil 2 cups of pohon dahlia flower petals and 1 cup of sliced pohon dahlia tuber in 2 liters of water for 10 minutes.
  • Let it sit for another 10 minutes.
  • Use it as a wash, soak feet in it for several minutes.
Traditional recipe Acne from Pohon Dahlia

2. Acne

  • Take an adequate amount of pohon dahlia flower petals.
  • Grind until it becomes a paste.
  • Apply the paste to acne.

Reference Sources

  1. Royal Botanic Gardens. 2021. Plants of the World Online: Dahlia imperialis Roezl ex Ortgies. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:200959-1#synonyms. 05-03-2022.
  2. CAB International. 2019. Dahlia imperialis (bell tree dahlia) . https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/23278611. 05-03-2022.
  3. Margaret Joan Roberts. 2000. Edible & Medicinal Flowers. The Spearhead Press. Claremont. Africa.
  4. Brent Berlin, ‎Dennis E. Breedlove, ‎Peter H. Raven · 2013. Principles of Tzeltal Plant Classification: An Introduction to the Botanical Ethnography of a Mayan Speaking People of Highland Chiapas. Academic Press. New York.
  5. Saryono 2009. Dahlia Tanaman Multi Manfaat: Indah Dipandang, Manis di Lidah dan Sehat di Badan. Universitas Riau. Pekanbaru. https://repository.unri.ac.id/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/6637/Prof.%20Dr.%20Saryono%2C%20MSi.PDF?sequence=1&isAllowed=y. 05-03-2022.