Dillenia suffruticosa (Griff.) Martelli

Simpur air (Dillenia suffruticosa) is a tree up to 2-10 meters tall of the Dilleniaceae family, distributed from Sri Lanka and the Malay Peninsula to Kalimantan. Its broad leaves are commonly used to wrap traditional food and are part of religious rituals, while its young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. Simpur air is also traditionally believed to aid postpartum recovery and increase breast milk production.

Simpur air is commonly found in swampy areas, along rivers, and forest edges at elevations up to 700 m above sea level. This plant often forms thickets. Grows wild in various soil textures, from sandy to clayey.

• Root a taproot.
• Stem flat or slightly scaly, reddish-brown to grayish-brown in color.
• Leaves single, spirally arranged, oval-shaped, flat surface, serrated edges.
• Flowers solitary, yellow petals, 8-11 cm in diameter, emerging from leaf axils.
• Fruit pink, star-shaped capsule.
• Seeds with a bright red aril.

• Propagated generatively (seed).
• This plant can flower continuously; each flower blooms for only one day.

Tannin, polyphenol (resveratrol, quercetin), dichloromethane, steroid glycoside, asperosaponin VI, triterpenoid (betulinic acid, koetjapic acid).

Treats inflammation, itching, stomach ache, chills, body aches, aids postpartum recovery and increases breast milk production.

• Choose fresh leaves, undamaged and not rotten, wash with clean running water then drain and slice thinly.
• Dry in the sun using a dark-colored cloth to cover the leaves, or dry in an oven (temperature 50-60°C). Turn the leaves during drying for even drying. Sort out any unwanted foreign material once dry, grind the material then sift.
• Store the simplisia in a container or plastic bag, at room temperature, well-aerated, away from direct sunlight, not in direct contact with the floor.

Buan, Dungin, Meringis ayer, Simpoh (Kalimantan), Simpoh air, Simpor bini (Malay).