Medicinal Plants

Mussaenda philippica A. Rich.

Nusa Indah

Rubiaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Mussaenda philippica (Nusa Indah) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Mussaenda philippica (Nusa Indah) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Mussaenda philippica (Nusa Indah)

Summary

Nusa indah (Mussaenda philippica) is a multi-branched shrub about 2-5 meters tall of the Rubiaceae family, native to the Philippines, originally growing wild in hillside thickets. Besides the beauty of its flowers making it a popular ornamental, nusa indah is traditionally believed to cure influenza and tonsillitis and help prevent breast cancer.

Agroecology

Nusa indah flowers grow in lowland to highland areas or at elevations of 1-1,700 m above sea level. This plant can flower in summer and harvesting can be done year-round.

Morphology

  • Root fibrous, yellowish-white in color.
  • Stem round-shaped and has many branches, rough stem surface and brown in color.
  • Leaves single, stalked with stipules, ovate with a tapering tip and base, opposite alternate arrangement, finely hairy, pinnate venation, green in color.
  • Flowers compound, emerging at the stalk tip, umbrella-shaped inflorescence, small trumpet-shaped yellow flowers.
  • Seeds a taproot, yellowish-brown in color and the seeds are lance-shaped, small, brown in color.

Cultivation

This plant can be propagated through stem cuttings.

Chemical Content

β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, arjunolic acid, alkaloid, flavonoid isoquercitrin, triterpenoid saponin (mussaendoside F), iridoid compound, heinsiagenin A.

Benefits

Cures influenza, fever, cough, tonsillitis, sore throat, sores, wounds, boils, prevents breast cancer, prevents and addresses breast cancer.

Simplisia

  • Pick fresh, whole, undamaged nusa indah leaves. Wash with running water. Cut the leaves into small pieces. Air-dry the leaves without direct sunlight exposure until evenly dry.
  • Grind the material into powder.
  • Store in an airtight, sterile container.

Local Names

Daun putri (Sumatra).

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 Preventing breast cancer from Nusa Indah

1. Preventing breast cancer

  • Prepare 15-30 g dried nusa indah stem or 30-60 g fresh, and 30 g periwinkle. Boil all ingredients with 600 ml water until boiling and the water reduces to 300 ml.
  • Strain and cool, drink the concoction.
Traditional recipe Influenza remedy from Nusa Indah

2. Influenza remedy

  • Wash 12 g fresh leaves thoroughly then boil with 200 ml clean water until boiling (for 5 minutes).
  • Strain and cool then drink all at once (2-3 times a day).
Traditional recipe Cough remedy from Nusa Indah

3. Cough remedy

  • Boil 30 g fresh leaves with 400 ml water until boiling (for 10 minutes).
  • Strain and cool then drink twice a day (morning and evening).