Medicinal Plants

Hyptis brevipes Poit.

Daun Pusar

Lamiaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Hyptis brevipes (Daun Pusar) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Hyptis brevipes (Daun Pusar) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Hyptis brevipes (Daun Pusar)

Summary

Daun pusar (Hyptis brevipes) is an annual herb 30-60 cm tall of the Lamiaceae family, native to tropical America but long grown wild in Indonesia. Its distinctively aromatic leaves are sometimes harvested as food and produce an essential oil used both as medicine and a natural pesticide. Traditionally, this plant is believed to support postpartum care and treat intestinal worms in children.

Agroecology

Grows at elevations up to 1,200 m above sea level, in a humid tropical climate without prolonged dry seasons. Usually grows in barren rice fields, along ditch edges, and in grazing land.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot, sturdy, brownish.
  • Stem erect or curved, square cross-section, deeply longitudinally grooved, with fine white hairs on the sides.
  • Leaves obovate, pointed base, scalloped margins, finely hairy, 3-10 cm in size.
  • Flowers bell-shaped, green, with the corolla positioned much higher than the calyx.
  • Fruit hard and brown.
  • Seeds have an embryo with 2 cotyledons, consisting of 2 brown halves.

Cultivation

  • Daun pusar reproduces by seed. Seeds are dispersed by wild animals and humans naturally.

Chemical Content

  • Germacrene D, caryophyllene, phthalamide dioxime, caryophyllene oxide, tetramethyl-12-oxabicyclo, dodeca-3,7-diene, and α-bourbonene.

Benefits

  • Postpartum care; addresses diarrhea; treats intestinal worms in children; asthma care; treats malaria, digestive infections, skin infections, boils, cramps; has antibacterial and antifungal activity.

Local Names

Also known as Boborongan, Genggeyan, Ki hileud (Sunda), Godong puser (Java), Tutumbalen (Minahasa).

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 Addressing Diarrhea from Daun Pusar

1. Addressing Diarrhea

  • Prepare 1 handful each of fresh globe amaranth leaves and daun pusar leaves.
  • Wash thoroughly, then knead by hand or pound and squeeze.
  • The liquid can be drunk directly.
Traditional recipe Boils from Daun Pusar

2. Boils

  • Prepare a sufficient amount of daun pusar leaves.
  • Wash thoroughly under running water.
  • Mash the leaves, then squeeze.
  • Apply the squeezed liquid to the boil.

Reference Sources

  1. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. Hyptis brevipes http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Hyptis+brevipes  20-01-2021
  2. Arham Suhendar, Khumaidi Akhmad, Pitopang Ramadhanil. 2016. Keanekaragaman Jenis Tumbuhan Obat Tradisional dan Pemanfaatannya Pada Suku Kulawi di Desa Mataue Kawasan Taman Nasional Lore Lindu. Jurnal Bocelebes10(2)
  3. Arnold Arnold, Harijanto Herman, Sustri Sustri. 2017. Keanekaragaman Jenis Dan Pemanfaatan Tumbuhan Obat Di Kawasan Taman Nasional Lore Lindu (Tnll) Di Desa Mataue Kecamatan Kulawi Kabupaten Sigi. Warta Rimba Issn: 2579-6267 5(1): 71-79.