Medicinal Plants

Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don

Kitolod

Campanulaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Hippobroma longiflora (Kitolod) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Hippobroma longiflora (Kitolod) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Hippobroma longiflora (Kitolod)

Summary

Kitolod, or star of Bethlehem (Hippobroma longiflora), is an erect annual herb up to 60 cm tall of the Campanulaceae family, native to the West Indies and now growing wild widely across tropical regions. In several parts of Indonesia such as Riau, this plant has traditionally been used for generations to treat eye conditions, including cataracts. Its sap is also believed to relieve toothache and sore throat, though its use must be handled with great care due to its irritant properties.

Agroecology

This plant grows wild along waterways or rivers, rice field banks, around fences, and other moist, open locations with a pH of 5.8–7. Kitolod can be found from lowlands up to 1,100 m above sea level.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot.
  • Stem erect, up to 60 cm tall, branching from the base, with a sharp-tasting, toxic white latex.
  • Leaves simple, sessile, lanceolate, rough surface, pointed tip, narrowing base, margins curling inward, toothed to pinnately lobed. Leaf length 5-17 cm, width 2-3 cm, green.
  • Flowers erect, solitary, emerging from the leaf axils, long-stalked, white corolla.
  • Fruit a bell-shaped capsule, drooping, splitting into two chambers, containing many seeds.

Cultivation

  • Propagation can use seed, offshoots, or cuttings.
  • Seeds are taken from mature, dry fruit, then rubbed to separate them from the seed pouch, and sun-dried until dry.

Chemical Content

  • Alkaloid compounds (lobeline, lobelamine, isotomin), saponins, flavonoids (spirohexan, acetaldehyde), polyphenols, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, hexanedioic acid, acetophenone, squalene, silicic acid.

Benefits

  • Treats cancer; used as eye drops (nearsightedness, farsightedness, glaucoma); treats toothache, sore throat; antihyperglycemic (lowers blood sugar); antioxidant; treats asthma symptoms and sore throat; wound healing.

Simplisia

  • Harvest fresh leaves and wash thoroughly under running water.
  • Sun-dry for several days or use an oven at 40 °C until reaching a moisture content of 10%.
  • Store or pack the dried material.

Local Names

Also known locally as Tolod (Sunda), Kendali (Java), Lidah payau (Malay), Daun katarak.

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 Toothache from Kitolod

1. Toothache

  • Mash 2 leaves.
  • Place the mixture on the cavity or aching tooth.
  • Leave for a few minutes, then rinse the mouth.
Traditional recipe Cancer from Kitolod

2. Cancer

  • Prepare 3 kitolod leaves with their stalks and 5 cups of water.
  • Boil the ingredients over low heat until reduced to 1-2 cups.
  • Drink 1-3 times a day until the mixture is used up within a day.

Reference Sources

  1. Ali, Iskandar SE. 2010. Khasiat Manfaat Kitolod. Agro Media Pustaka, Jakarta.
  2. Badrunasar, Anas, Santoso HB. 2017. Tumbuhan Liar Berkhasiat Obat. Forda Press, Bogor.
  3. Fazil M, Suci RN, Allfiah F, Alam DN, Angelia G, Situmeang B. 2017. Analisis senyawa alkaloid dan flavonpid dari ekstrak daun Kitolod (Isotoma longiflora) dan uji aktivitasnya terhadap bakteri penyebab karies gigi. Jurnal ITEKIMA 2(1):73-83.
  4. Hapsari A, Asti D, Selviana, Hidayati R, NKumalla, Suhendi A. 2016. The potency of Kitolod (Isotoma longiflora (L)Presl.) herb extract as a cure for cervical cancer: an in vitro study of Hela Cells. The 2nd International Conference on Science, Technology, and Humanity: 109-114.
  5. Hazar S, Della D, Putri, Fitrianingsih SP. 2017. Uji aktivitas antibakteri fraksi herba Kitolod (Isotoma longiflora (L.) C. Persl) terhadap Bacillus cereus. Jurnal Farmasi Galenika 4(2): 45-51.
  6. Maharani R. 2018. Aktivitaas antihiperglikemik ekstrak ethanol herba Kitolod (Isotoma longiflora (L.) terhada kadar gula darah dan histopatologi pancreas tikus Wistar yang diinduksi aloksan. Skripsi. Fakultas farmasi. Universitas Setia Budi. Surakarta.
  7. Maryani R, Hermawan A. Cancer Chemoprevention Reasearch Center Farmasi-UGM. Ki Tolod (lsotoma longiflora Presi.). https://ccrc.farmasi.ugm.ac.id/?page_id=125 18-12-2019.
  8. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. Hippobroma longiflora. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Hippobroma+longiflora 18-01-2021
  9. Andareto Obi. 2015. Apotik Herbal di sekitar Anda: Obat sakit gigi, Kanker. Lembar Langit Indonesia.
  10. Royal Botanic Gardens. 2020. Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1133957-2. 18-12-2019.