Medicinal Plants

Flagellaria indica L.

Bambu Rambat

Flagellariaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Flagellaria indica (Bambu Rambat) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Flagellaria indica (Bambu Rambat) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Flagellaria indica (Bambu Rambat)

Summary

Bambu rambat (Flagellaria indica) is a climbing plant up to 20 meters long of the Flagellariaceae family, widely distributed across the tropical Old World, from India to Australia. Its flexible stem is used as raw material for baskets and traditional binding. Traditionally, bambu rambat is also believed to relieve external wounds, dysentery, and diarrhea.

Agroecology

Bambu rambat is commonly found in humid areas such as mangrove swamps, freshwater swamps, and coastal forests with adaptability up to elevations of 500 m above sea level.

Morphology

  • Roots fibrous.
  • Stem tendril-shaped with a diameter no more than 2 cm.
  • Leaves parallel-veined with 10 vascular bundles in each leaf. Leaf stalk very short or almost absent, leaf base wraps around the stem.
  • Flowers small, 2.5 mm diameter. Petals and calyx merged (tepal), arranged in 2 layers. Outer tepal 1 mm long and inner tepal 1.2 mm.
  • Fruit round shaped, 6-8 mm diameter, producing seeds 5-6 mm diameter with hard, thick skin.
  • Seeds white in color and contain oil. Embryo mushroom-shaped, 1-1.5 mm diameter.

Cultivation

Plant propagated vegetatively and generatively (planted seeds will germinate after 9-13 months after sowing).

Chemical Content

Flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, kaempferol, cyanogenic glycoside.

Benefits

Treats external wounds, relieves sore eyes, strengthens body immunity, relieves stomach ache, addresses dysentery, diarrhea, and contraception (preventing pregnancy).

Simplisia

  • Pick leaves from the plant then wash using running water. Air-dry the cleaned material.
  • Store in a container and place at room temperature.

Local Names

Rotan tikus, Owar.

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 Preventing Pregnancy from Bambu Rambat

1. Preventing Pregnancy

  • 1 handful of leaf shoots mashed and add 1 glass of water and salt.
  • Drink the juice before breakfast, for 4 consecutive days. 
Traditional recipe Healing Wounds from Bambu Rambat

2. Healing Wounds

  • Prepare an adequate amount of leaves and stem.
  • Wash both ingredients thoroughly with running water. Mash until fine.
  • Apply to the wound. Do this once a day for 2 days. 

Reference Sources

  1. BRAIN. (2003). Flagellaria indica (FLAGELLARIACEAE); Whip vine, supplejack. http://www.brisrain.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=218. 11-02-2021.
  2. Kew Science. (No date). Flagellaria indica L. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:366164-1. 11-02-2021.
  3. National Park of Singapore. (No date). Flagellaria indica L. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/4/1405. 11-02-2021.
  4. StuartXchange. (2016). Philippine Meicinal Plants. Baling-uai-Flagellaria indica Linn., WHIP VINE. http://www.stuartxchange.com/Baling-uai.html. 11-02-2021.
  5. Urban Forest. (2019). Flagellaria indica L. https://uforest.org/Species/F/Flagellaria_indica.php. 13-10-2020.
  6. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. Flagellaria indica http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Flagellaria+indica 25-01-2021
  7. Innovareacademics. Phytochemical screening, antioxidant properties invarious extracts from the leaves of flagellariaindica L. From Sabah, Malaysia. https://innovareacademics.in/journals/index.php/ijpps/article/view/7434  11-01-2021