Medicinal Plants

Hoya diversifolia Blume

Kapalan

Apocynaceae

Location in the garden Greenhouse
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Hoya diversifolia (Kapalan) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Hoya diversifolia (Kapalan) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Hoya diversifolia (Kapalan)

Summary

Kapalan (Hoya diversifolia) is an epiphytic liana up to 20 meters long from the Apocynaceae family distributed from Myanmar to the Philippines. Its beautiful, fragrant flowers make it a popular ornamental that is easy to propagate. In traditional Malay medicine in Kuala Kangsar, a decoction of kapalan leaves is used as bathwater to treat fever and rheumatism.

Agroecology

Kapalan is easy to grow and grows well in moist soil with a humidity range of 67.3% to 74%, air temperature of 29°C to 31.2°C, well-drained, saline soil, fertile loamy soil, with partially shaded sunlight conditions.

Morphology

  • Stem trailing, jointed (11.5-16 cm), green to yellowish green, 3-5.5 mm in diameter.
  • Leaves petiolate, blade very thick and fleshy, oblong shaped, up to 13 by 6.4 cm.
  • Flowers 1-20 flowers developing in umbel-shaped clusters (inflorescence), star-shaped, cream or pink with a pink center, 0.8-1.3 cm wide.
  • Fruit a follicle that splits on one side when ripe, up to 15 by 0.6 cm in size.
  • Seeds needle-shaped with many hairs at the base that aid in wind dispersal.

Cultivation

Kapalan can be propagated with seed or stem cuttings

Chemical Content

Free terpenoids, cinnamate triterpenes, squalene, β-sitosterol, β-amyrin cinnamate, and lupeol.

Benefits

Relieves rheumatic pain and acts as an anti-nematode agent against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, heals skin diseases such as eczema, abscesses, acne, boils, scabies, itching, infections, dermatitis, rashes, wounds, scars and warts. Potentially effective as an antibacterial against MRSA, S. aureus and B. cereus.

Local Names

Daun picis/Daun pitis (Java), Aaping Bola (Aceh), Kapal-kapal.

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 Rheumatism from Kapalan

1. Rheumatism

  • Prepare an adequate amount of kapalan leaves and wash until clean.
  • Boil in water until it boils.
  • Use the decoction for a hot bath to treat rheumatism.
Traditional recipe Boils from Kapalan

2. Boils

  • Prepare an adequate amount of fresh kapalan leaves.
  • Clean off any attached dirt by washing in running water.
  • Grind until fine.
  • Apply to the boil.

Reference Sources

  1. Royal Botanic Gardens. 2021. Hoya diversifolia Blume. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:98446-1. 15-12-2021.
  2. Flora Fauna Web. 2021. Hoya diversifolia Blume. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/4/1413. 15-12-2021.
  3. Nurhidayah Ab-Rahim, Wan Ismahanisa Ismail, Muhammad Nabil Fikri Roslan, Mohd Hafiz Mail, Roz Azinur Che Lamin, dan Salmah Ismail. 2021. Antibacterial activity of Hoya diversifolia Ethanolic Leeves Extract. Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal. https://biomedpharmajournal.org/vol12no2/antibacterial-activity-of-hoya-diversifolia-ethanolic-leaves-extract/. 15-12-2021.
  4. Azizah. N. B. 2014. Karaterisasi Morfologi Hoya diversifolia Blume yang Tumbuh Spontan di Kebun raya Bogor. Departemen Biologi. Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam. Institut Pertanian Bogor. https://docplayer.info/91700143-1-karakterisasi-morfologi-hoya-diversifolia-blume-yang-tumbuh-spontan-di-kebun-raya-bogor-binti-nur-azizah.html. 15-12-2021.
  5. Rahayu Sri. 2006. Jenis-Jenis Hoya di Kota Bogor dan Sekitarnya. Warta Kebun Raya. Mei 2006. Pusat Konservasi Tumbuhan Kebun Raya Bogor. LIPI.