Mimusops elengi L.

Bunga tanjung (Mimusops elengi) is a tree up to 15-30 meters tall of the Sapotaceae family, native to India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, also found in Ghana and Mozambique. Its shady leaves make it a favorite shade tree in city parks and roadsides. Traditionally, bunga tanjung is also believed to relieve fever, toothache, and bad breath.

Grows well in moist lowlands up to elevations of 600 m above sea level, direct sunlight (though still tolerant of shade). Also tolerant of wind, so it can be planted in coastal areas.

• Leaves spirally arranged, elliptical or oblong-elliptical, wavy leaf edges, leaf stalk length 1-3 cm.
• Flowers bisexual, single or in pairs hanging at leaf axils in eights, fragrantly scented. 8 stamens, alternating with staminodes with toothed tips.
• Fruit berry-like, spindle-shaped, elongated egg-shaped, like a bullet.
• Seeds mostly 1, flat, hard and glossy, blackish-brown.

• Propagated generatively (by seed) or vegetatively (cuttings).
• Seeds are soaked in water, select seeds that sink. Then sown and once grown transplanted to a polybag before planting in the field or soil.

Seeds: alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids, quercitrol, ursolic acid, triterpene alcohols, quercetin, dihydroquercetin and sitosterol glycoside. Tree bark: glucosides, ursolic acid, taraxone, taraxerol, butilinic acid, and spinasterol.

Reduces fever, relieves toothache, removes bad breath, addresses sore throat, relieves headache or vertigo, remedy for vaginal discharge, nosebleeds.

• Wash fresh bunga tanjung flowers thoroughly.
• Dry in the sun, covering the top with a thin cloth to prevent dirt from entering.
• Once dry, store in an airtight container.

Keupela cange (Aceh), Wilaja (Bali), Tanjong (Bugis).