Medicinal Plants

Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip.

Daun Afrika

Asteraceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Daun Afrika) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Daun Afrika) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Daun Afrika)

Summary

Daun afrika (Gymnanthemum amygdalinum) is a shrub 2-5 meters tall of the Asteraceae family, widely growing in West Africa, especially Nigeria, and began being cultivated in Bogor since 2009. In Benin and Cameroon, its bitter leaves are commonly eaten as a vegetable. Daun afrika is believed to have wide-ranging benefits, from anticancer properties to helping regulate blood sugar and uric acid levels.

Agroecology

Grows naturally along rivers, lakes, forest edges and mountains up to 2,800 m above sea level. Annual rainfall 750-2,000 mm/year. This plant prefers places with adequate sunlight and a humid environment.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot.
  • Stem upright, round woody, grayish with a slight brownish tinge.
  • Leaves compound, pinnate venation, dark green, opposite leaflets 15-25 cm long, 5-8 cm wide, spear-tip shaped, serrated edges.

Cultivation

This plant can be propagated vegetatively (stem cuttings).

Chemical Content

Flavonoids, saponins, coumarin, phenolic acids, lignans, terpenes, luteolin, steroids, tannins, xanthones, anthraquinones, edotides, sesquiterpenes, kolaviron, terpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides.

Benefits

Has anticancer and antimalarial activity, regulates blood sugar, lowers body weight and uric acid levels, prevents heart disease, stroke and cholesterol, improves fertility, prevents kidney disease, treats inflammation.

Simplisia

  • Clean fresh daun afrika leaves of attached dirt using running water.
  • Slice the leaves.
  • Dry the leaves by air-drying away from direct sunlight.
  • Once dry, pack the dried material in clean, airtight plastic.

Local Names

Daun pahit (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 Malaria from Daun Afrika

1. Malaria

  • Boil 1 handful of dried daun afrika leaves with 5 glasses of water until it boils and 1 glass of water remains.
  • Strain the concoction then drink once a day.
Traditional recipe Gout from Daun Afrika

2. Gout

  • Prepare 7 fresh daun afrika leaves. Wash the leaves then boil with 5 glasses of water until it boils. Wait 2-3 minutes then turn off the heat.
  • Strain then drink while warm twice a day, 1 glass each time.

Reference Sources

  1. Kharimah NZ, Lukmayani Y, Syafnir L. 2016. Identifikasi senyawa flavonoid pada ekstrak dan fraksi daun afrika (Vernonia amygdalina Del.). Prosiding Farmasi 2.
  2. Thjia B, Aziz SA, Suketi K. 2018. Correlations between leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and leaf chlorophyll, anthocyanins and carotenoids content at vegetative and generative stage of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina Del.). J. Trop. Crop Sci. 5(1): 25-33.
  3. CABI.org. Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf). https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/56245. 26-01-2021.
  4. Manfaat.org. Manfaat daun afrika efek samping dan cara membuat ramuan: obat malaria. http://manfaat.org/manfaat-daun-afrika-efek-samping-dan-cara-membuat-ramuan18-07-2020.