Medicinal Plants

Dichrocephala integrifolia (L.f.) Kuntze

Jukut Meurit

Asteraceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Dichrocephala integrifolia (Jukut Meurit) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Dichrocephala integrifolia (Jukut Meurit) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Dichrocephala integrifolia (Jukut Meurit)

Summary

Jukut meurit (Dichrocephala integrifolia) is an annual herb 30-60 cm tall of the Asteraceae family, distributed from tropical Africa to India, South China, and Australia. This wild plant is traditionally used by local communities as medicine for various ailments. Jukut meurit is believed to help relieve ulcers, fever, and hypertension.

Agroecology

Commonly found along roads, footpaths, along riverbanks, and edges of agricultural land. In open to shaded areas, grows abundantly in moist soil, and prefers rocky areas. In tropical regions this plant grows at elevations of 500-3,000 m above sea level.

Morphology

  • Stem angular, finely hairy.
  • Leaves complete, spirally arranged, short-stalked, ovate or lance-shaped, 10.5 cm long, 4 cm wide, and serrated.
  • Flowers tube-shaped with varying sizes, semi-upright or spreading stalk, finely hairy, 5 mm long, 3-5 mm wide. Bisexual flowers green or greenish-yellow and few in number. Female flowers numerous, corolla length 0.5 mm, small tube-shaped, grayish-purple-white in color.
  • Fruit pale yellow in color.

Cultivation

  • Propagated generatively (seed).
  • Once mature, seeds will dry and can be sown.
  • Seed germination time 12 to 17 days.
  • Jukut meurit has not yet been cultivated because it is still considered a weed.

Chemical Content

Stearic acid, stigmasta-7,22-dien-3-ol, α-amyrin, epifriedelanol, methyl stearate, tritetracontane, rutin.

Benefits

Treats ulcers, fever, hypertension, remedy for wounds, boils, swelling, pneumonia, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, anticancer, remedy for malaria, hepatitis, toothache, and diuretic.

Simplisia

  • Prepare fresh material and wash thoroughly with running water.
  • Dry using an oven at 40°C until completely dry.
  • Place in a closed and sterile container.

Local Names

Meurit (Sunda), Bandot, Seprah, Wedakan (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 Remedy for wounds from Jukut Meurit

1. Remedy for wounds

  • Prepare fresh material as needed then wash thoroughly with running water.
  • Grind finely into a paste.
  • Apply to the wound.
Traditional recipe Boils and swelling from Jukut Meurit

2. Boils and swelling

  • Prepare fresh leaves as needed and wash thoroughly.
  • Grind the leaves finely.
  • Apply to the swollen part of the body or on the boil.

Reference Sources

  1. Fern, Ken. (2014). Useful Tropical Plants. Dichrocephala integrifolia. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dichrocephala+integrifolia 06-02-2021
  2. Florence, N.T, al. (2016). Research Article Dichrocephala integrifolia (Linn.f.) O. Kuntze (Asteraceae) Leaves Aqueous Extract Prevents Ethanol-induced Liver Damage in Rats. http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/pharmacologia/2016/337-343.pdf 06-02-2021
  3. StuartXchange. (2016). Philippine Medicinal Plants. Dichrocephala integrifolia. http://www.stuartxchange.org/Dichrocephala.html 06-02-2021
  4. Lee CL, Ming-Hon Y, Tsong-Long H, Juan-Cheng Y, Chieh-Yu P, Chao-Jung C, Wen-Yi C, Yang-Chang W. 2015. Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic components from Dichrocephala integrifolia. Phytochemistry Letters 931: 1-6.
  5. Kuiate JR, Zollo PHA, Lamaty G, BessieÁre JM, Menut C. 1999. Composition of the essential oil from leaves and flowers of Dichrocephala integrifolia (L.) O. Kuntze Chev. from Cameroon. Flavour And Fragrance Journal 14: 419-420.
  6.  
  7. Pengobatan alternatif Filipina. 2014. Dichrocephala integrifolia. http://www.stuartxchange.org/Dichrocephala.html 05-06-2019
  8. Prosea. 2016. Dichrocephala integrifolia. https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Dichrocephala_ integrifolia_(PROSEA) 07-06-2019
  9. Qin F, Hui-Min Y, Sauriol F, Qing X, Yu-Cheng G, Qing-Wen S, Zi-Qiang T. 2015. Chemical constituents of Dichrocephala integrifolia. Chemistry of Natural Compounds 51(5): 951-953.
  10. Schemelzer. 2002. Dicrhocephala integrifolla (L.f.) O. Kuntze. dalam Van Valkenburg, J.L.C.H, Bunyapraphatsara, N. (Editor): Plant Resource of South-East Asia 12(2). Medicinal and poisonous plants 2. Prosea Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia227.
  11. Anshori AZ. 2015. Astaraceae (Dichrocephala integrifolia). https://www.flickr.com.
  12. Antihyperglycemic activity of functional drinks based on Java Tea (Orthosiphon aristatus) in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. International Food Research Journal 21(1) : 349-355.